Call it a Narendra Modi effect or not, youth in the state practising yoga would also get diploma in it from Patna University.

Patna University vice-chancellor Y.C. Simhadri, participating at the International Day of Yoga celebrations at Wheeler Senate hall on Sunday, announced introduction of the course - diploma in yogic sciences.

The varsity administration will run the course in association with Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, as faculty members and trained yoga instructors will provide training to the students. The course - first of its kind in a state university - will run from the second floor of Patna University central dispensary near Patna Medical College and Hospital.

Prabhakar Deoraj, chief medical officer, Patna University central dispensary and also a faculty member of Bihar School of Yoga, told The Telegraph: "The university is working on a mechanism so that the one-year postgraduate diploma in yogic sciences starts from next academic session starting end-July."

In its initial phase, the students' intake will be 60 and they will be allowed admission on the basis of graduation marks. The content of the one-year course will cover basic concept of yoga, human anatomy and yoga psychology. Also, there will be session for students taking admission for training them in various asanas.

At present, Bihar School of Yoga offers a one-year diploma and four-month certification course in yoga.

Deoraj added that the central dispensary at Patna University has been running yoga training session from its premises for more than a decade. There was plan of the varsity to run the course earlier too but it had been sceptical about the number of students taking admission. However, with the success of International Day of Yoga celebration and its publicity has created yoga awareness with students enquiring about the course content, he said.

Dipendra Sharma, a student at Patna College and yoga enthusiast who had participated at International Day of Yoga at Patna University premises, said: "The course will be beneficial to students who want to learn yoga."

The sources said even UGC had asked different universities to offer yoga and meditation classes to students on campus. As part of International Day of Yoga celebrations, the UGC had written letters to vice-chancellors of all universities directing them to observe the day and had also listed a slew of activities during the celebrations.

Patna University, too, organised various activities, including online essay competition and other activities.