President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, giving Vande Mataram, India’s national song, the same statutory protection as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The legislation amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.The Bill was passed by Parliament last month. With the President’s assent, the amendments have now become law. The move is significant for students as schools and educational institutions are among the places where the national song and national anthem are regularly sung.
What has changed under the new law?
Before the amendment, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act specifically dealt with offences involving the national anthem. It prohibited anyone from intentionally preventing the singing of Jana Gana Mana or causing a disturbance at an assembly where the anthem was being sung.The amended law now extends this protection to Vande Mataram.This means that intentionally stopping the singing of the national song or deliberately disturbing an assembly engaged in singing it can attract legal action under the amended law.Such offences can result in imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
Why has Vande Mataram been included?
Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, has a significant place in India’s freedom struggle. The song became an important symbol of the nationalist movement and was widely used to inspire people during the struggle against British rule.The legislation refers to a statement made by Dr Rajendra Prasad, then President of the Constituent Assembly, on January 24, 1950. He had stated that Vande Mataram, because of its historic role in the freedom struggle, would be honoured equally with the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.The latest amendment seeks to provide statutory protection to the national song in line with that status.
What was the law earlier?
Under the earlier law, deliberately preventing the singing of the national anthem or disrupting an assembly engaged in singing it was punishable.A conviction could lead to imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. For a second and every subsequent conviction, the law provided for a minimum imprisonment of one year.However, the law did not contain a similar provision specifically protecting the singing of Vande Mataram.The amendment has now brought the national song within the scope of the relevant provision.
What students should know about Vande Mataram
For students, the key point is that Vande Mataram is the national song, while Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem. The two have different official designations, even though both hold an important place in India’s national heritage.The new legislation does not change the distinction between the national song and national anthem. Instead, it provides legal protection against intentional obstruction or disturbance during the singing of Vande Mataram.Schools and students should therefore be aware of the protocols applicable when the national song is sung at official or institutional events.
Home Ministry issues protocol for singing national song
The Union Home Ministry had earlier issued a detailed protocol for the singing or playing of Vande Mataram at official functions.According to the order, when the national song and national anthem are both sung or played, Vande Mataram will come first, followed by Jana Gana Mana.The Home Ministry has also specified that the assembly should stand to attention when the national song is being sung.The protocol covers official occasions including the arrival of the President, the unfurling of the national flag and speeches by Governors.
Six stanzas to be sung at official functions
The Home Ministry’s directions also specify that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung at designated official functions. The complete rendition has a duration of approximately three minutes and 10 seconds.The government has also directed that the national song should be incorporated into the daily routine of schools through community singing.This makes the latest legal change particularly relevant for students, teachers and educational institutions.
Vande Mataram to be sung at Red Fort on Independence Day
The Home Ministry has announced that Vande Mataram will be sung from the ramparts of the Red Fort during the Independence Day function this year, marking a first for the national song at the iconic venue.The development comes as the government places renewed emphasis on the song’s historical and national significance.
Here is what students must know
Students should remember these key points:
- Jana Gana Mana is India’s national anthem.
- Vande Mataram is India’s national song.
- Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
- The song played an important role in India’s freedom struggle.
- The 2026 amendment extends statutory protection under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to the national song.
- Intentionally preventing the singing of Vande Mataram or disturbing an assembly engaged in its singing can now attract punishment.
- The offence may lead to up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
- When Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are sung or played together under the prescribed protocol, Vande Mataram comes first.
The Home Ministry has prescribed the singing of all six stanzas at specified official functions.Schools have also been directed to begin the day’s work with community singing of the national song under the prescribed order.The amendment therefore marks an important development in India’s legal framework concerning national symbols, while also reinforcing the place of Vande Mataram in official and educational settings.
