India's Home Ministry mandates sequence for national song and anthem

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued fresh directions to all state governments, union territory administrations and central ministries, ordering strict compliance with the official protocol for the National Song (Vande Mataram) and the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana). The guidelines specify that when both are performed at the same event, the National Song must be played or sung first, followed by the Anthem; if a State Song is also included, the order is National Song, Anthem, then State Song. They detail the occasions on which the compositions are mandatory or optional, prescribe the approved text, script and pronunciation, and require the authorized versions available on the MHA website to be used without deviation.

The reminder follows a political controversy in Tamil Nadu over the sequence used at the chief minister’s swearing‑in ceremony. The MHA instructed all chief secretaries, administrators and departmental secretaries to circulate the instructions to government offices, educational institutions and other public organisations to ensure uniform implementation across the country.