The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is organising the 94th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Varanasi on 11 October 2026. The event will run from 6:00 AM along a route from Namo Ghat to Diksha Mandap at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University. It aims to promote cycling as a daily fitness activity while addressing substance abuse among young people.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will attend as Chief Guest. The event will feature several Indian athletes who won medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, bringing visibility to sports achievement and athletic discipline.
Key facts
- Date: 11 October 2026, starting 6:00 AM
- Location: Namo Ghat to Diksha Mandap, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi
- Theme: “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” (Drug-free Youth for Developed India)
- Chief Guest: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Participating Asian Games medallists: Prachi Chaudhary (bronze, women’s 400m), Parul Chaudhary (two bronzes in women’s 3000m steeplechase and 5000m), Jay Kumar (silver in mixed 4x400m relay and bronze in men’s 4x400m relay), Raj Kumar Pal (gold, hockey team)
- Over 6,000 NAMO Fit India Clubs organise the cycling initiative nationwide weekly
What is Fit India Sundays on Cycle?
Fit India Sundays on Cycle is a mass participation cycling programme run by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in partnership with the Cycling Federation of India, Raahgiri Foundation and MY Bharat. The initiative is conducted every week across all States and Union Territories, including at Sports Authority of India (SAI) facilities, National Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, and Khelo India State Centres of Excellence. The Varanasi event marks the 94th edition of this ongoing campaign.
Focus on fitness and anti-drug messaging
The event combines physical activity promotion with youth empowerment and drug abuse prevention. By bringing together citizens, young people, fitness enthusiasts and sporting icons, the programme seeks to demonstrate that cycling is an accessible, simple and sustainable way to stay active. The presence of Asian Games medallists serves a dual purpose: it showcases athletic excellence while illustrating the discipline, perseverance and regular training required to achieve at the highest levels of sport.
The organisers believe that sports and physical activity can play a vital role in building a healthier society and discouraging substance abuse. The message extends beyond individual fitness to community action, emphasizing that families, educational institutions and sporting figures all have a role in guiding young people toward positive choices.
Activities at the Varanasi event
Alongside the main cycling route, participants will have access to a range of fitness and wellness activities at Namo Ghat. These include yoga sessions, Zumba dancing, fun games and interactive activities designed to make fitness engagement enjoyable and inclusive. The activities cater to participants of varying fitness levels and ages.
Broader fitness and wellness campaign
The Varanasi edition aligns with the nationwide Fit India vision to make cycling, walking and other forms of physical activity routine parts of daily life. The campaign reinforces the idea that fitness is a daily commitment and that collective participation is essential to building a healthier and drug-free nation. By conducting the event simultaneously across multiple states and through thousands of fitness clubs, the ministry aims to reach citizens at grassroots level and embed fitness into community culture.
What this means for you
If you are based in Varanasi or the surrounding region, the event on 11 October offers a free opportunity to participate in organised cycling, meet sports medallists, and join fitness activities. Young people can interact with athletes and learn about discipline and training regimens. Parents and community members can support the anti-drug messaging and encourage family participation in fitness routines. The broader Fit India programme means that similar cycling and fitness initiatives are available weekly across India through local clubs and SAI centres, providing regular opportunities for citizens to adopt active lifestyles regardless of where they live.