NationalMonday, 21 September 2026·The Hindu - National
Karnataka limits Vande Mataram to two stanzas at State functions; full version for top constitutional offices
Karnataka has ordered that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung at State functions, while the full six stanzas will be used for events involving the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In September 2026, the Karnataka government ordered that only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ be sung at State functions, while the full six stanzas apply to events involving the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister or Governor.
Key specifics
- The order was issued by Karnataka’s Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DIPR).
- The decision followed a Cabinet approval in the State government.
- The order cites the Centre’s Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines on the official version of the song.
- It specifically mentions uniformity, dignity and appropriate protocol in government programmes.
- The full six stanzas remain applicable for functions involving four constitutional offices: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Governor.
Exam lens
Question type: Polity/current affairs, national song, State executive order, protocol, constitutional offices. TNPSC may ask: which department issued it, how many stanzas, and for which offices the full version is retained?