In a major shift in national protocol, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a comprehensive 10-page directive on January 28, 2026 mandating that the national song ‘Vande Mataram‘ must be played before the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana‘ at all government events, schools, and official ceremonies. The new guidelines require the full six-stanza version to be played, with attendees required to stand in attention. The order released to mark the song’s 150th anniversary, establishes a formal sequence and duration for the first time in independent India’s history.
The New Rules: Duration and Sequence
The most notable change is the “official version” of the song and its positioning alongside the National Anthem.
- Restored Stanzas: The new protocol brings back the entire six original verses of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Prior to 1937, only the first two verses were mostly used for official purposes.
- Fixed Duration: The official version now has to be 3 minutes and 10 seconds (190 seconds) long. As a reference, the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) is sung in 52 seconds.
- The Sequence: If the National Song and the National Anthem are perform together, Vande Mataram must be played first which is then followed by Jana Gana Mana.
Protocols for Schools and Events
The guidelines explicitly target educational institutions and high-level government functions to ensure uniformity.
- In Schools: The directive to exclusively sing the National Song together as a group has been issued to all schools during their morning assembly.
- Government Functions: The song is compulsory at ceremonies of the conferment of civil awards (e. g. the Padma Awards), at the reception and departure of the President or Governors and also whenever the National Flag is presented for a parade.
- Ceremonial Cue: If the song is played by a band then it should be first introduced with a Drum Roll (or other local instruments like the mridang or trumpet) lasting for seven slow, marching steps.
Enforcement and Decorum
The MHA has introduced strict decorum rules to maintain the dignity of the National Song.
| Rule Category | Instructions |
| Audience Posture | All persons present must stand at attention throughout the performance. |
| Cinema Halls | Standing is not mandatory in cinema halls or during newsreels/documentaries to avoid public disorder. |
| Mass Participation | For public events, the government suggests organizing trained choirs and distributing printed lyrics to encourage unison singing. |
| Legal Consequences | Intentional disruption of the National Song can attract legal penalties, including up to three years of imprisonment. |
The initiative is intended to be a step toward standardizing the use of national symbols and giving Vande Mataram the same level of ceremonial respect as the National Anthem.
