In a significant move to standardize national symbols, the Central Government has released comprehensive guidelines for singing Vande Mataram, India’s national song, making it mandatory in all government programs. Issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, these directives outline precise protocols for its presentation during official ceremonies.
The guidelines emphasize the full official version of Vande Mataram, comprising six stanzas and lasting about 3 minutes and 10 seconds. This version must be performed at key state events, including flag hoisting ceremonies, formal arrivals and departures of the President and Governors, and before and after their speeches.
A key stipulation is the order of precedence: if both Vande Mataram and the National Anthem are part of an event, the national song comes first, followed by the anthem. Attendees are expected to stand at attention in respect during both renditions.
The Ministry has urged educational institutions to incorporate Vande Mataram into daily school assemblies and major institutional events, aiming to foster greater awareness and reverence for national symbols among students and the public.
For formal band performances, the guidelines recommend signaling the start with drum beats or bugle calls. However, cinemas and film screenings receive an exemption—viewers need not stand if Vande Mataram plays as part of the soundtrack, preventing disruption to the entertainment experience.
This initiative addresses long-standing ambiguities in protocols for the national song, aligning it closer to National Anthem procedures without yet introducing legal amendments. The step underscores the government’s commitment to preserving cultural and patriotic traditions in public life.