Parliament Passes Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026
Parliament Passes Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026
The Lok Sabha passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on 1 August 2026, extending statutory protection to Vande Mataram, India's National Song, alongside the existing protections for the National Flag, Constitution, and National Anthem.
Background
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 originally penalised insults to the National Flag, the Constitution of India, and the National Anthem. Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and adopted as the National Song in 1950, previously lacked equivalent statutory protection.
Key Highlights
- The amendment brings Vande Mataram under the ambit of the 1971 Act, making its insult a punishable offence.
- The move coincided with celebrations marking the song's historical and cultural significance.
- The Bill was passed during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, 2026.
TNPSC Relevance
National symbols, their legal protections, and Parliamentary bills are frequently tested under Indian Polity in TNPSC exams.
Constitutional Relevance
While the National Anthem and Flag find explicit constitutional/legal recognition, the National Song's status has traditionally rested on convention rather than a specific constitutional provision — this amendment strengthens its statutory backing.
Static GK Links
- Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, published in the novel Anandamath (1882).
- It was adopted as the National Song by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.
Exam Notes
Memory tip: National Anthem = Jana Gana Mana; National Song = Vande Mataram; both adopted 24 January 1950.
TNPSC MCQs
| No. | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Who composed Vande Mataram? | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay — Explanation: Published in his novel Anandamath (1882). |
| 2 | The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 extends protection to which national symbol? | Vande Mataram (National Song) — Explanation: Brought under the 1971 Act's ambit. |
| 3 | Vande Mataram was adopted as the National Song on which date? | 24 January 1950 — Explanation: Adopted by the Constituent Assembly, a day before the Constitution came into force. |
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