West Bengal makes Vande Mataram mandatory in school morning assemblies

Kolkata reports that state schools have been instructed to sing Vande Mataram in the morning assembly every day before classes start, with the department notice to institute heads stating the singing should be made mandatory with immediate effect. The article notes that the previous government had made the state song Banglar mati Banglar jal mandatory in morning assemblies. School heads express confusion, saying while the notice does not mention the state song, students singing three songs—Vande Mataram, Banglar mati, and the National Anthem—would be difficult to manage and could delay classes. Some heads indicate implementation after the summer vacation, and others seek clarification on whether all three songs are mandatory. Partha Pratim Baidya of Jadavpur Vidyapith says they have been singing Vande Mataram before the National Anthem since last week; Amit Sen Majumder of Jodhpur Park Boys' School says they will implement the order after the school reopens post-summer vacation; Raja Dey of Mitra Institution, Bhawanipur notes they are seeking clarification about the three-song requirement.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notice in January 2026 stating that Vande Mataram should be sung to honour 150 years of the National Song.