The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines which require official events to display the complete six stanzas of Vande Mataram, India's National Song, for its 150th anniversary celebration in 2026. The main rules state that the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) must be played after the National Song, which has a set duration of 190 seconds (3 minutes 10 seconds) that starts with a drumroll and trumpet or mridang signal. People must maintain an attentive position during performances at presidential arrivals and departures and flag hoisting and civil investitures and Governor addresses except when they appear in documentaries and cinemas. The rules establish consistent practices which maintain dignified treatment of national symbols that government functions and schools must follow.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued Vande Mataram guidelines in February 2026 to mark the song's 150th anniversary which Bankim Chandra Chatterjee first published on November 7, 1875 in Anandamath. The year-long celebration which Prime Minister Modi started in November 2025 honors the Indian freedom struggle through its patriotic and unifying power. The directives establish official event standards which require the complete six-stanza performance of the song that lasts 190 seconds to maintain national dignity.

• MHA's Vande Mataram guidelines establish mandatory requirements which must be followed during official functions.
• The full performance of Vande Mataram requires all six stanzas to be sung before Jana Gana Mana can begin.
• The start of the performance gets indicated through a drumroll and trumpet fanfare and mridang beat which alerts all attendees to the show beginning.
• The audience members must stand at attention during the performance which requires the same behavior as National Anthem singing.

• The MHA Vande Mataram guidelines apply to all official and public events that take place throughout the country.
• The required events for the President include his arrival and departure at state functions and civil investitures which include Padma awards and flag hoisting and parades and all official ceremonies of Governors and Lt Governors.
• The requirement applies to school assemblies and national celebrations which include Republic Day and Independence Day.
• The only exceptions to this rule apply to cinemas and documentaries and non-official media.

• MHA's Vande Mataram guidelines align with the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (Act No. 69), enacted to prohibit disrespect to national symbols.
• The Indian National Flag and Constitution receive protection under Section 2, which establishes three-year imprisonment and financial penalties for all forms of disrespect.
• The National Anthem and National Song receive equivalent protective measures under Section 3, which governs their treatment.
• The protocols establish a standardized method to honor national symbols, which the public must observe during official ceremonies according to Article 51A(a) Fundamental Duty requirements.

• The MHA Vande Mataram guidelines show strong importance for UPSC GS Paper 2 Polity and Governance and GS Paper 1 Culture.
• The guidelines establish national symbols through their requirement of the National Song which connects to Article 51A(a) constitutional mandate that citizens must respect Indian heritage.
• The rules establish a standardized method for patriotic expression which protects cultural identity while testing students' knowledge of Fundamental Duties through polity questions.
• The exam will include main questions which focus on either protocol enforcement or the concept of ethical patriotism.

• MHA's Vande Mataram guidelines standardize national honor in 2026's 150th anniversary celebrations. The regulations require complete performances of the national anthem before Jana Gana Mana at important occasions which supports Article 51A(a) Fundamental Duties and the 1971 Act.
• The subject matter connects different areas of knowledge which include Indian politics and cultural heritage and contemporary news for UPSC aspirants. The standards establish consistent procedures which promote patriotic feelings while allowing media organizations to access special privileges.

What is the sequence when both the National Song and Anthem are played?

Vande Mataram (full 6 stanzas) must precede Jana Gana Mana at official events for uniformity.

Must everyone stand during Vande Mataram rendition?

Yes, standing at attention is compulsory at functions, except in cinemas or documentaries to avoid disruption.

What signals start the National Song performance?

A drumroll (7 paces), trumpet fanfare, or mridang beat precedes the 190-second version.