Vande Mataram Before National Anthem

March 16, 2026 

• On January 28, the Union Home Ministry issued fresh guidelines regarding the performance of ‘Vande Mataram’, India’s national song.
• The directive states that all six stanzas of the song must be sung or played at select government functions and in schools across India, including during morning school assemblies.
• The national song must be completed in 3 minutes and 10 seconds.
• When both the national song and the national anthem are performed at the same event, ‘Vande Mataram’ should be presented before ‘Jana Gana Mana’. Those present must stand to attention during the rendition.
• The move is part of the government’s year-long commemoration marking 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’.