Centre Issues Fresh Guidelines on Singing of ‘Vande Mataram’

The Union government has issued a fresh set of guidelines directing that all six stanzas of the National Song Vande Mataram should be sung or played before the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana whenever both are performed at an event.

The instructions, uploaded on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) website on February 6, clarify the protocol to be followed during official functions and public events.

According to the guidelines, whenever the official version of Vande Mataram—approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds long—is sung or played, the audience shall stand at attention. However, if the National Song is played as part of a newsreel or documentary film, the audience is not required to stand.

Occasions for Singing the National Song

The guidelines specify that Vande Mataram is to be sung on the following occasions:

• On the arrival and departure of the President at formal State functions and other government-organised events
• Immediately before and after the President addresses the nation over All India Radio and television
• On the arrival and departure of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor at formal State functions
• When the national flag is brought on parade
• On any other occasion as directed by special orders issued by the Government of India

Historical Background

Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and first published on November 7, 1875, in the literary journal Bangadarshan in Sanskrit (using the Bengali script). It was later included in Chatterjee’s renowned novel Anandamath (1882), a patriotic work portraying Sanyasins who dedicate their lives to the motherland.

The song was first sung at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta by Rabindranath Tagore.

On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India officially recognised Vande Mataram as the National Song, honouring it alongside Jana Gana Mana, which was adopted as the National Anthem.