‘Vande Mataram': Centre issues order on singing, playing official six-stanza version

The Government of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an order for strict compliance regarding the National Song of India, Vande Mataram, including when and how the song can be played and sung.

In its order dated January 28, 2026, the ministry shared what it called the “official version” of the National Song, comprising six stanzas with a playing time of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

“Instructions are being issued for general information and guidance on the official version of the National Song, the occasions on which the Song is to be played or sung, and about the need for paying respect to the National Song by observance of proper decorum on such occasions,” the order read.

Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Sanskritised Bengali in the 1870s. In 1950, the first two stanzas of the song were adopted as India’s National Song.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, to date, there has not been any official protocol regarding the singing of Vande Mataram, unlike the National Anthem. It further noted that the six-stanza version of the song has not been sung at official events so far.

In the ministry’s order, it has been instructed that the long version of the National Song be played at “Civil Investitures; On arrival of the President at formal State functions and other functions organized by the Government and on his departure from such functions; Immediately before and after the President addresses the Nation over All India Radio and Television; On arrival of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal State functions within his State/Union Territory and on his departure from such functions; and when the National Flag is brought on parade.”

Further, it said that the National Song shall be played on any other occasion for which special orders are issued by the Government of India.

The order has also issued instructions on how the song should be played by a band.

“When the National Song is played by a band, the Song will be preceded by a roll of drums to assist the audience to know that the National Song is going to be played, unless there is some other specific indication that the National Song is about to be played, as for example, when fanfares are sounded before the National Song is played. The duration of the roll, in terms of marching drill, will be 7 paces in slow march. The roll will start slowly, ascend to as loud a volume as possible and then gradually decreases to original softness, but remaining audible until the seventh beat. One beat rest will then be observed before commencing the National Song,” the order read.

The order has been issued to all state governments, Union Territory administrations, ministries, and departments of the Government of India. It has also been issued to all High Courts across the country.

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ order has also provided instructions on the mass singing of the National Song. It said the official version of the National Song should be played accompanied by mass singing on occasions such as the unfurling of the National Flag, cultural occasions, or ceremonial functions other than parades.

“This could be arranged by having a choir of adequate size, suitably stationed, which would be trained to coordinate its singing with the band etc. There should be an adequate public audition system so that the gathering in various enclosures can sing in unison with the choir; printed lyrics of the official version of the National Song may be circulated amongst the participants, wherever required,” the order read.

The occasions also include the arrival of the President at any government or public function (excluding formal State functions) and immediately before his departure from such functions.

It emphasized that on all occasions when the National Song is sung, the official version shall be recited accompanied by mass singing.

“The National Song may be sung on occasions which, although not strictly ceremonial, are nevertheless invested with significance because of the presence of Ministers etc. The singing of the National Song on such occasions (with or without the accompaniment of instruments) accompanied by mass singing is desirable,” the order read.

It noted that it was not possible to give an “exhaustive list” of occasions on which the singing (as distinct from playing) of the official version of the National Song can be permitted.

“But there is no objection to the singing of the National Song accompanied by mass singing so long as it is done with due respect as a salutation to the motherland and proper decorum is maintained,” it added.

The order has also suggested that all schools begin their day with community singing of the National Song.

“In all schools, the day's work may begin with community singing of the National Song. School authorities should make adequate provision in their programmes for popularising the singing of the National Song, National Anthem and promoting respect for the National Flag among students,” the order said.

It has given a general instruction to the people of the country, stating that whenever the official version of the National Song is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention.

“However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the National Song is plàyed as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the National Song,” it added.

“When the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, National Song will be sung or played first,” it concluded.

The order has also been issued in Hindi.

The order comes after a debate in the Lok Sabha on the National Song last year during the Winter Session, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of removing important parts of the song. Additionally, the theme of this year’s Republic Day parade was “Swatantrata Ka Mantra - Vande Mataram”.

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