Bhubaneswar, Jan. 23: Poor demand has forced most universities in the state to stop yoga courses at a time the Centre has issued instructions to introduce such programmes in varsities across the country.

The Union ministry of human resource development has also formed a 12-member committee for prescribing the yoga courses' syllabus. On January 2, the ministry had organised a meeting in Bangalore, where various aspects of setting up of departments of yogic art and science in universities was discussed.

In the state, many varsities, which had earlier introduced yoga, have withdrawn the programme, while others are planning to drop it since there are very few takers.

At Utkal University, the postgraduate course in yoga was closed a couple of years ago. The course - PG diploma in yoga education - had 16 seats and was running under the aegis of the Sanskrit department. University sources said the programme closed down due to shortage of students.

The varsity subsequently decided to put on hold all admissions to the course in 2013.

Other state universities, barring the North Odisha University in Baripada, are offering the subject as a short-term course. Yoga is taught as a short module under the National Cadet Corps. It was introduced as an elective subject, which could also be pursued through distance education.

Last year, the North Odisha University introduced masters in yogic science and naturopathy course, a self-financing programme, with 30 seats. However, only half a dozen students evinced interest.

"The fact is that there are no job opportunities for a postgraduate student in yoga. At best, he or she can be a yoga teacher. These days, even a student who has completed his Plus Two education and undergone a six-month training in yoga can become a trainer. A postgraduate course in yoga is a waste of time," said Sampad Patra, a student.

A varsity official said that hardly four to five students came to take admission to the course last year. The committee set up by the Union ministry has been asked to identify universities where the departments of yoga already exist and consider whether they can be upgraded to yogic art and science.