Page 12 - English 01-15 March, 2026

NATION | Vande Mataram

New MHA Protocol on Vande Mataram

It is mandatory to sing all six verses

Duration: 3 minutes 10 seconds

The country is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande
Mataram. As part of this celebration, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued
a fresh set of instructions to states and government bodies mandating that the
national song, Vande Mataram, must be played or sung before the national anthem,
Jana Gana Mana, when both are part of an event. The official version of the national
song is mandatory on major state occasions such as the arrival of the President, the
hoisting of the national flag, and addresses by Governors...

he official protocol regarding the singing of the SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS FOR CINEMA
national song ‘Vande Mataram’, composed by HALLS AND FILM SCREENINGS
TBankim Chandra Chatterjee, was established Whenever the official version of the national song
through guidelines issued by the Government of India. is sung or played, the audience shall stand to atten-
These guidelines specify how and when it should be tion. However, when in the course of a newsreel or
presented at official government ceremonies. They documentary the national song is played as a part of
also outline the expected conduct of citizens, the the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand,
proper manner of singing or playing the national as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of
song, and provide information about its duration. the film and would create disorder and confusion
rather than add to the dignity of the national song.
DURATION
The singing or playing of the National Anthem is THE GUIDELINES RECOMMEND
approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds. When Vande Mataram is performed by a band, the
beginning of the singing should be formally signalled
NATIONAL SONG FIRST by the beat of a drum or the sound of a bugle.
It is important that if both the National Song and
the National Anthem are sung or played at an event, PERMISSION TO SING THE NATIONAL
the National Song should be sung or played first, ANTHEM (AS DISTINCT FROM PLAYING IT):
followed by the National Anthem. It is not possible to give an exhaustive list of occa-

10 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || March 1-15, 2026