The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized the 85th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle event on August 9, 2026, with Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya leading the nationwide initiative from Hanol, Gujarat. The event carried the theme 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' (Drug Free India) and aimed to promote fitness as a positive alternative to substance abuse, targeting India's youth through the Fit India movement.
Dr Mandaviya characterized the initiative as a mass movement that has evolved to advance the Prime Minister's Fit India Movement, noting that young people across more than 10,000 locations nationwide participated. Since its inception in December 2024, the Sundays on Cycle program has attracted over 30 lakh participants across India.
In Delhi, the event was held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium where more than 1,000 participants took a collective pledge to lead lives free from substance abuse and inspire their communities to adopt healthier lifestyles. The fitness activities began at 5:30 AM with yoga and Zumba sessions, followed by a 5-kilometre cycling ride around India Gate and Kartavya Path. The venue also featured a game zone with carrom, chess, ludo, badminton, tug of war, and an obstacle race.
The event featured participation from celebrity figures including Siddharth Nigam (actor and gymnast), Gurveer Singh (international squash player and Junior National Champion), Narendra Kumar (IRS & Fit India Ambassador), and Meenal Pathak (Fit India Champion and Zumba instructor). Nigam emphasized replacing harmful addictions with fitness addiction, while Singh praised the initiative and noted India's 39-medal performance at the Commonwealth Games.
The program is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India, Raahgiri Foundation, and MY Bharat. The cycling drive is conducted simultaneously across all States and Union Territories, including at SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, Khelo India State Centres of Excellence, Khelo India Centres, and thousands of Namo Fit India clubs.