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NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry has issued an order stating that all six stanzas of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ — including the last four that were dropped by the Jawaharlal’s Nehru govt, allegedly to maintain the song’s ‘secular’ appeal — shall be sung at all official functions and other occasions.The home ministry order dated 06.02.2026 lays down the ‘official version ’ of the song — encapsulating all six stanzas of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s original composition. “The duration for which the song shall be played or sung shall be 3 minutes and 10 seconds,” the order states while laying down the occasions on which ‘Vande Mataram’ shall be sung or played as well as the protocols to be observed in due honour of the national song. New Rendition Of National Song Unveiled As India Celebrates 150 Years Of ‘Vande Mataram’The MHA instructions on ‘Vande Mataram’ coincide with the celebration of 150th anniversary of the creation of the song.All members of the audience present when the national song is being played must stand in attention pose. However, this shall not be mandatory in cinema halls when Vande Mataram is being played as part of the film or during news reels “as a standing audience interferes with viewing of the film and can lead to disturbance of peace and disorder”.As per MHA’s instructions, the national song is to be played when the national flag is brought to a parade. It will also be played at all civilian award/honour ceremonies, official state functions as well as at events organised by the govt and graced by the President of India. The song shall be played both upon the arrival and departure of the President from such functions.‘Vande Mataram’ shall also be played before and after the President’s address to the nation broadcast on state media like Akashwani and Doordarshan.At the state level, the national song shall be played at all official state functions upon the arrival and departure of the governor or lieutenant governor.In addition, Vande Mataram shall be played at any other occasion in respect of which the govt of India has issued an enabling order.Before the national song is to be played by a band, there will be a drumroll — an instrument like ‘mridang’ or trumpet shall be played. In a marching drill, there will be seven steps leading to start of the national song.In its instructions regarding singing of ‘Vande Mataram’, the MHA said it would be sung at all cultural events and occasions where the national flag is being hoisted. Also it may be sung upon the arrival and departure of the President of India at govt and public functions other than formal state events.All six stanzas of the national song, as per the official version, must be sung at such events, the MHA has instructed.Informal events attended by ministers may also witness group rendition of the song.> The morning school assemblies of all schools must incorporate group singing of the national song, as per MHA guidelines.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Pushback Forces White House To Rewrite Trade Deal Factsheet Claims On Tariffs, Tax, PurchasesIndia Need Not Worry About Bangladesh-US Trade Deal: Former Envoy Veena SikriTharoor Praises Parliamentary Panel Meet On India-EU, India-US Trade DealsCongress Moves No-Trust Motion Against Om Birla; Lamborghini CCTV Contradicts Tobacco Tycoon’s Claim‘Not To Get Involved In Political Game’: EU Launches Mission For Bangladesh 2026 PollsNo-Confidence Against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Explained: Process, Rules And Numbers In ParliamentDays Before Bangladesh Elections, Another Hindu Businessman Killed, Fears Rise Over Minority SafetyOpposition targets LS Speaker with no-confidence motion — rules, process & numbers – ExplainedPakistan Admits US-Backed Jihad In Afghan Wars A Mistake, But Still Accuses India Of Proxy War”That Day Will Never Come…” Yogi Adityanath Fires Warning At Those Dreaming Of Babri Structure123PhotostoriesHow to make Mushroom Do Pyaza for lunch at homeBaby boy names for those born on Wednesday5 ways to help a partner who is dealing with depression7 buildings in Dubai that are architectural marvels4 life lessons hidden in the Hanuman ChalisaThe 50: From Khanzaadi’s derogatory remarks on Chahat Pandey’s character to Rajat Dalal nominating Karan Patel for not being visible; episode highlights6 climbers to transform your fence or balcony into a floral paradiseFactory making 1800+ liters of milk daily with detergent and urea fertilizer busted in Gujarat: 6 smart ways to check milk purity at homePromise Day special: Bollywood stories where words turn into lifelong vows8 easy buttermilk dishes to add in lunch menu123Hot PicksMumbai Mayor SelectionGold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionTelangana Municipal ElectionsIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingAndre Grey and Leigh Anne Net WorthScott NiedermayerBengaluru Techie MurderMen Hockey Olympics 2026Brock NelsonSidney CrosbyTerence CrawfordNBA Trade RumorsBen OgdenKevin Durant