MHA revises norms for National Anthem, Song

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new directions to all State Governments, Union Territory (UT) administrations, and central ministries, reiterating rules regarding the singing of the National Anthem and the National Song, and calling for strict compliance.

The new instructions refer to earlier orders that explain which rules must be followed and which are optional. They also stress the importance of using the correct script, words, and pronunciation. Official versions and pronunciation guides can be found on the MHA website. All Government institutions will receive these instructions to ensure everyone follows the rules.

If both songs are performed at an event, ‘Vande Mataram’ should come before ‘Jana Gana Mana’. In States or Union Territories with their own official songs, the order should be the State song first, then the National Song, and finally the National Anthem. This order respects both national and regional identities.

The complete version of Vande Mataram, which has six stanzas and takes about three minutes and ten seconds to sing, must be used at important official events. These include civil investitures, when the President arrives or leaves formal events, before and after the President’s address on All India Radio and TV, when governors arrive or leave formal functions, and when the National Flag is brought on parade. The Government may also request its use at other times.

Everyone is required to stand at attention during the National Song and the National Anthem. People are expected to stay silent, remain still, and show respect. The MHA also refers to its earlier order from January 28, 2026, which designates the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram as the standard for official events.

The usual rules for the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) remain in place. The full version is played at civil and military ceremonies, national salutes, parades, and when the President arrives or leaves. A shorter version is used for special occasions, like toasts at messes.

India’s National Anthem, written by Rabindranath Tagore and adopted on January 24, 1950, stands for unity in diversity. Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and taken from his novel Anandamath, was important in the freedom movement and was given equal honour by the same resolution.

These songs represent India’s sovereignty, sacrifice, and shared identity. If they are not sung correctly, played in the right order, or performed with care, their meaning can be lost, and public controversy may arise, as has happened before at events and schools.

States and central ministries should share these instructions with everyone involved, making sure that bands, choirs, event organisers, and the media use the official versions. Clear pronunciation matters in a country with many languages, so regional accents do not change the original songs.

‘The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 ’ punishes deliberate disrespect to the National Anthem. While Vande Mataram has the same constitutional honour, the guidelines are meant to encourage people to observe them voluntarily and respectfully, not by force. As society changes quickly and public acts are shared online, following these protocols helps strengthen national unity and reminds everyone, from schoolchildren at morning assembly to dignitaries at state banquets, that the Republic’s symbols deserve respect.

The MHA’s action is part of a larger effort to ensure national symbols are respected and used consistently across the country. By asking all institutions to follow these rules, the Government wants these symbols to be honoured everywhere, from the President’s house to village halls and city auditoriums. These directions are both a reminder and a guide, ensuring that every performance of Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram maintains its dignity. Following the rules helps protect the emotional and historical meaning these songs have for 1.4 billion Indians.

RULES

• If both songs are performed at an event, ‘Vande Mataram’ should come before ‘Jana Gana Mana’
• In States or Union Territories with their own official songs, the order should be the State song first, then the National Song, and finally the National Anthem
• The complete version of Vande Mataram, which has six stanzas and takes about three minutes and ten seconds to sing, must be used at important official events
• The MHA’s action is part of a larger effort to ensure national symbols are respected and used consistently across the country