Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (Vande Mataram Bill)

Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (Vande Mataram Bill)

Background

Amends: The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

Objective: To extend statutory legal protection to the National Song – Vande Mataram, similar to the protection available to the National Anthem – Jana Gana Mana.

Prelims Pointers

Legal protection: The Bill seeks to place Vande Mataram on the same legal footing as the National Anthem with respect to protection against insult or disruption.

Punishable acts: The following acts relating to Vande Mataram become punishable:

• Intentionally insulting the National Song.
• Intentionally preventing its singing.
• Disrupting an assembly engaged in singing it.

Punishment: Such offences will attract:

• Imprisonment up to 3 years, or
• Fine, or
• Both.

Existing law: The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 currently provides statutory protection to:

• The National Flag.
• The Constitution of India.
• The National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana).

Historical basis: The amendment recalls Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s statement in the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950 that Vande Mataram, because of its historic role in the freedom struggle, “shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana.”

Reason for the amendment: The Bill has been introduced during the 150th anniversary celebrations of Vande Mataram.

Legislative status: The Rajya Sabha has passed the Bill. It must complete the remaining constitutional process, including Presidential assent, before becoming law.

UPSC Prelims Question

Q. With reference to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, consider the following statements:

• It seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
• It proposes to provide Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as Jana Gana Mana.
• It makes intentionally preventing the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence.
• The Bill provides for imprisonment up to five years for offences relating to Vande Mataram.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• (A) 1, 2 and 3 only
• (B) 1 and 4 only
• (C) 2 and 3 only
• (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A. 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 – Correct: The Bill amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

Statement 2 – Correct: It seeks to accord Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the National Anthem.

Statement 3 – Correct: Intentionally preventing the singing of Vande Mataram or disrupting its rendition is made a punishable offence.

Statement 4 – Incorrect: The proposed punishment is imprisonment up to three years, or fine, or both—not five years