India News

Vande Mataram to be played before national anthem under new government rules

The Centre has mandated that Vande Mataram be played before the national anthem at government events and schools, with standing compulsory and all six stanzas included.

Published

2 months ago

February 11, 2026

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The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines directing that the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ be played before the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ at all government events and in all schools across the country.

Under the new rules, individuals must stand when ‘Vande Mataram’ is played at official functions. The directive also expands the occasions on which the song will be performed, including civilian award ceremonies such as the Padma awards and events attended by the President, during both arrival and departure.

The guidelines further state that ‘Vande Mataram’ will be played in public spaces such as cinema halls. However, standing will not be mandatory in such instances.

Significantly, all six stanzas of the song will now be rendered, including four that were not used at national gatherings following a 1937 decision by the Congress leadership.

Legal backing and extension of protections

Last month, sources had indicated that the government was considering extending protocols applicable to the national anthem under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act to the national song.

Under this law, anyone who disrupts or prevents others from showing respect to the national anthem — and now the national song — can face imprisonment of up to three years.

Political backdrop to the directive

The move is expected to trigger political debate, especially after last year’s exchange between the ruling BJP and the Congress over the history of ‘Vande Mataram’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had accused former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of opposing the song on the grounds that it could “irritate Muslims”, alleging that this approach mirrored that of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The BJP had also shared letters written by Nehru to support its position. The issue intensified during a parliamentary discussion marking the 150th anniversary of the song.

The four stanzas that were earlier excluded contain references to Hindu goddesses such as Durga, Kamala (Lakshmi) and Saraswati. In 1937, at a Congress session in Faizpur led by Nehru, it was decided that only the first two stanzas would be used at national gatherings. The rationale was that the later verses were viewed by some members of the Muslim community as exclusionary.

The BJP has argued that the earlier exclusions reflected a divisive approach and that dropping the stanzas contributed to the circumstances leading to Partition.

In response, Congress leaders have criticised the ruling party. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge described it as ironic that those claiming to defend nationalism had not historically sung ‘Vande Mataram’. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, speaking in Parliament, accused the Prime Minister and the BJP of selectively quoting Nehru and presenting excerpts from his letters without context, and alleged political motives linked to the upcoming Assembly election in Bengal.

Historical context of the song

‘Vande Mataram’ was written on November 7, 1875, by Bengali author Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and later published in his 1882 novel ‘Anandmath’. The song became a rallying cry during India’s freedom movement.

Across its six stanzas, the composition portrays the nation as a mother figure, combining nurturing and protective imagery. The later verses specifically reference Hindu goddesses, which formed the basis of the 1937 decision to limit its official use to the first two stanzas.

With the new directive, the government has reinstated all six stanzas for official performance.

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India News

Turnout crosses 80% in Bengal and Tamil Nadu till 5 PM in key elections

Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu elections witness strong voter turnout, crossing 80% with largely peaceful polling.

Published

12 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with voters turning out in large numbers across key constituencies.

In West Bengal, voting is being held across 152 constituencies, with around 3.6 crore voters expected to participate in this phase. Security arrangements were tightened, and long queues of voters were seen at polling stations from early morning.

Turnout rises steadily through the day

Voter participation increased consistently as polling progressed. By afternoon, turnout had crossed the halfway mark in both states, indicating steady engagement.

As per latest updates till 5 PM, West Bengal recorded 89.92% turnout, while Tamil Nadu reported 82.24% voter participation.

Large electorate participates in phase 1

In West Bengal, nearly 3.6 crore eligible voters took part in the first phase across several districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a three-way contest between the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP alliance, and actor Vijay’s entry into the political space.

Sporadic incidents reported

Polling has been largely peaceful, though isolated incidents were reported, including an attack on BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul’s car and a boycott reported in parts of Tamil Nadu.

Despite these disruptions, voting continued without major interruptions, and authorities maintained overall control.

High-stakes political contest

The elections are being closely watched as major political parties compete for power. West Bengal is witnessing a closely fought contest, while in Tamil Nadu, key regional rivals are battling for control of the state Assembly.

The outcome is expected to play an important role in shaping the political landscape of both states.

Education

UP Board result 2026 declared: Class 10 pass rate at 90.42%, class 12 at 80.38%

UP Board 2026 results are out with strong pass rates. Here’s how to check your score and key highlights.

Published

12 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has declared the UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 results for 2026 on April 23 at 4 pm.

This year, more than 52 lakh students registered for the exams, including over 27 lakh candidates in Class 10 and nearly 25 lakh in Class 12. The examinations were conducted between February 18 and March 12 across around 8,000 centres in the state.

Pass percentage and performance trends

The overall performance remains strong:

Class 10 pass percentage: 90.42%
Class 12 pass percentage: 80.38%

Girls have once again outperformed boys in both classes, continuing the trend seen in previous years.

How to check UP Board result 2026

Students can access their results through official platforms by following these steps:

Visit the official website: upmsp.edu.in or upresults.nic.in
Click on the result link for Class 10 or Class 12
Enter roll number and required details
View and download the provisional marksheet

Alternatively, results are also available via DigiLocker and other digital platforms.

What students should do after results

Students are advised to:

Download and print the provisional marksheet immediately
Collect the original marksheet from their respective schools later
Apply for re-evaluation or compartment exams if required

India News

Voting underway in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as turnout crosses 50% by afternoon

Voter turnout crosses 50% in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as polling continues across key constituencies.

Published

16 hours ago

April 23, 2026

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Voting is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu as the 2026 assembly elections see active participation from voters across both states. In West Bengal, the first phase of polling is being held across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, marking the beginning of a multi-phase election process.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, is witnessing single-phase polling across all 234 assembly seats, making it a crucial electoral day for the state.

Polling began in the morning with voters arriving at booths early, and arrangements were in place to ensure smooth voting.

Turnout figures show steady participation

As voting progressed, turnout figures indicated moderate to strong participation in both states.

West Bengal recorded around 62.2% voter turnout by 1 pm
Tamil Nadu saw approximately 56.8% turnout by the same time

Earlier in the day, initial turnout trends showed gradual momentum as queues built up at polling stations.

High-stakes contest in both states

The elections are significant for major political parties in both regions.

In West Bengal, the contest remains largely between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with several key constituencies drawing attention. Around 3.6 crore voters are eligible to vote in this phase, highlighting the scale of the exercise.

Tamil Nadu’s election features a traditional contest between the DMK and AIADMK alliances, with the outcome expected to shape the state’s political direction.

Security and arrangements in place

Authorities have deployed security personnel and made logistical arrangements to ensure peaceful polling. Reports indicate that voting is largely proceeding smoothly, with monitoring systems in place across sensitive areas.

The election process in West Bengal will continue with the second phase scheduled for April 29, while Tamil Nadu will conclude voting in a single day.