Presidential Assent Enacts Law Equalizing Legal Protection of Vande Mataram with National Anthem
The new statute grants Vande Mataram identical legal safeguards against disrespect as previously granted to Jana Gana Mana under the 1971 Act.
Disrupting or deliberately stopping the singing of Vande Mataram is now a punishable offense carrying up to 3 years in prison, a fine, or both, with repeat offenders facing at least 1 year mandatory imprisonment.
Significance: This legal update strengthens national sentiment and creates a uniform legal standard regarding national symbols and patriotic songs.
Key Facts / Static GK
National Song Writer: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Practice Quiz — 12 August 2026
Q1. Who among the following was elected as the new President of Hungary in August 2026?
Q2. Which Arab country recently became the first in the region to formally abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment with aggravated hard labour?
Q3. Regarding the extended PM E-DRIVE Scheme, consider the following statements: 1. The scheme duration has been extended up to March 31, 2028 with a total outlay of ₹11,900 crore. 2. The earlier Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS)-2024 has been subsumed into PM E-DRIVE. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q4. Under the newly enacted Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act 2026, what is the maximum initial imprisonment penalty for intentionally disrupting the singing of Vande Mataram?
Q5. Which two entities signed an MoU to promote Indian Geographical Indication (GI) products through ONDC and GeM under the 'Bharat GI' banner?
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