Ministry of Home Affairs Mandates National Song and Anthem Protocols

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a directive on July 9, 2026, mandating strict compliance with the official script, text, diction, and pronunciation when singing or playing the National Anthem and National Song of India. Issued by Joint Secretary Arvind Khare, the guidelines apply to state governments, Union Territory administrations, central ministries, educational institutions, and other public organizations.

The protocol specifies that whenever the National Song and National Anthem are performed together, the National Song must be played first. In states that also utilize a State Song, the required sequence is the National Song, followed by the National Anthem, and then the State Song. The ministry identified specific mandatory occasions for these performances, including civil investiture ceremonies and the arrival or departure of the President at formal state functions.

Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram', the ministry stated there is no objection to the mass singing of the National Song as long as proper decorum is maintained. The directive was disseminated to high-level offices, including the Prime Minister's Office, the Supreme Court, and the Election Commission of India, with official pronunciation guides hosted on the ministry's website.