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.

In an order dated January 28, the ministry laid down protocols for singing the National Song, specifying that its six stanzas, with a duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds, shall be rendered at official functions such as the arrival of the President, unfurling of the tricolour and governors’ speeches.

"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. However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the National Song is played as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the National Song," the order said.

The guidelines also said that the work in schools shall begin with the playing of the National Song.

The Centre is observing the 150th year of Vande Mataram.

According to the order, the official version of the National Song shall be played with mass singing on occasions such as the unfurling of the National Flag, cultural or ceremonial functions other than parades, and the arrival of the President at any government or public function, among others.

"There should be an adequate public audition system so that the gathering in various enclosures can sing in unison with the choir; printed lyrics of the official version of the National Song may be circulated amongst the participants, wherever required)," it said.

The order added that on all occasions when the National Song is sung, the official version shall be recited accompanied by mass singing.

"The National Song may be sung on occasions which, although not strictly ceremonial, are nevertheless invested with significance because of the presence of Ministers etc. The singing of the National Song on such occasions (with or without the accompaniment of instruments) accompanied by mass singing is desirable," it said.

At the same time, the order noted that it is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of occasions on which the singing, as distinct from playing, of the official version of the National Song may be permitted.

"But there is no objection to the singing of the National Song accompanied by mass singing so long as it is done with due respect as a salutation to the motherland and proper decorum is maintained," it said.

The order further said that in all schools, the day’s work may begin with community singing of the National Song.

"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.