Centre’s New Cultural Mandate: Stand for ‘Vande Mataram’ Before National Anthem

Centre Makes ‘Vande Mataram’ Mandatory Before National Anthem, Standing Now Compulsory.

In a sweeping cultural directive, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formally codified rules for the National Song Vande Mataram, issuing a 10-page order dated February 6, 2026, that fundamentally reshapes official protocol across the country. For the first time since Independence, the Centre has laid down structured, enforceable guidelines for the National Song—placing it on a defined ceremonial footing alongside the National Anthem. Under the new mandate, whenever Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are performed together, the National Song must be rendered first, establishing a strict sequence that institutions must follow.

The order makes standing at attention compulsory during the rendition of Vande Mataram at all official events, leaving no room for ambiguity. The government has also mandated the singing of the full six stanzas of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s original composition, extending the duration to approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds—significantly longer than the commonly sung abridged version. To formalize the ceremony, the guidelines prescribe a drumroll or instrumental cue—such as a mridang or trumpet—before the song begins, and even outline a specific seven-step sequence for marching drills prior to its performance.

The directive applies across a broad spectrum of state and public functions, including ceremonies marking the arrival and departure of the President, Governors, and Lieutenant Governors, national award events like the Padma Awards, and all school morning assemblies, where collective singing is now mandatory. Public broadcasters Akashwani (AIR) and Doordarshan have also been instructed to play the song before and after the President’s address to the nation.

However, the MHA has carved out a limited exception: standing will not be mandatory in cinema halls if Vande Mataram is played as part of a film or newsreel, citing concerns over potential disorder or disruption. Even so, the broader message from the Centre is unmistakable—Vande Mataram is no longer just symbolic; it now carries a defined national protocol backed by official mandate, marking a bold and assertive shift in India’s ceremonial landscape.