New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has issued detailed guidelines explaining when and how India’s national song, ‘Vande Mataram’ should be sung or played at public events. The move aims to give the song a more defined and respectful place in official and institutional programmes across the country. A key focus of the new guidelines is on schools and educational institutions.
The government has directed schools to include ‘Vande Mataram’ in morning assemblies and during important institutional functions to help students understand and respect national symbols from an early age.
Schools directed to make Vande Mataram part of regular assemblies
As per officials, schools across India are being encouraged to make Vande Mataram part of regular assemblies and special occasions such as annual days, national festivals and other major institutional events. The guidelines are part of a broader effort to formalise the role of the song in public life similar to the established protocol for the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Officials said introducing clear rules will help ensure uniformity and dignity in how the national song is observed, especially in educational spaces where young citizens learn civic values.
The announcement comes as the country marks the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, adding symbolic importance to the new framework.
Protocol for performance, conduct
The guidelines state that the full official version of Vande Mataram a six-stanza rendition lasting about three minutes and ten seconds should be sung or played at key government and ceremonial events. These include the unfurling of the national flag, the arrival and departure of the President and Governors at formal functions before and after their official addresses and at other major state ceremonies.
When both Vande Mataram and the national anthem are performed at the same event the national song must be played first, followed by Jana Gana Mana.
The Home Ministry has also clarified that people present at official events are expected to stand at attention when Vande Mataram is sung or played similar to the protocol for the national anthem. However, an exception has been made for cinema halls. If the song is part of a film or soundtrack audiences will not be required to stand.