The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued fresh directions to all state governments, Union Territory (UT) administrations and Central ministries, reiterating the existing rules governing the singing and playing of the National Anthem and the National Song and calling for their strict compliance.

In a communication issued on July 9, the Ministry wrote to the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of all States and Union Territories, as well as Secretaries of all Ministries and Departments of the Central Government, enclosing the existing orders relating to the National Anthem and the National Song.

The Ministry stated that the enclosed orders provide an exhaustive list of occasions on which the National Anthem and the National Song are required to be sung or played, as well as occasions where they may be rendered. The guidelines also specify instances where both are to be performed during the same programme, including at the beginning and the conclusion of official functions.

Reiterating the prescribed order of rendition, the Ministry stated that whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed together, the National Song must be sung or played first, followed by the National Anthem.

The communication further clarified the procedure in States where a State Song is also performed. It stated that if a State Song is rendered along with the National Song and the National Anthem, both the National Song and the National Anthem must be performed together, with the National Song preceding the National Anthem.

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The Ministry also emphasised that the correct script, text, diction and pronunciation of both the National Anthem and the National Song must be followed strictly while rendering them.

To facilitate compliance, it informed that the authentic text and the approved pronunciation of both the National Anthem and the National Song are available on the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Ministry requested all State Governments, Union Territory Administrations and Central Ministries to issue suitable instructions to all institutions and organisations under their jurisdiction to ensure strict adherence to the prescribed norms.

“It is requested that suitable instructions in this regard may please be issued to all concerned institutions and organisations under your jurisdiction, for strict compliance,” the communication stated.

Copies of the directive have also been forwarded to the President’s Secretariat, Vice-President’s Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, Election Commission of India, the Secretariats of both Houses of Parliament, the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, NITI Aayog and other constitutional and government bodies.

The Ministry noted that the Central Government has, from time to time, issued detailed orders relating to the National Anthem and the National Song, and the latest communication has been issued to reinforce awareness and ensure uniform implementation of the existing guidelines across the country.

(with ANI inputs)