The Union Home Ministry has issued detailed guidelines mandating that all six stanzas of the National Song Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, must be sung first whenever the National Song and the National Anthem Jan Gana Man are played together. ADVERTISEMENT"When the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, National Song will be sung or played first," the order stated. It said that those present at an assembly where the National Song is sung shall stand in attention. "Whenever the official version of the National Song is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. "School authorities should make adequate provision in their programmes for popularising the singing of the National Song, National Anthem and promoting respect for the National Flag among students," it said.

Source: The Telegraph February 11, 2026 06:20 UTC