Polity · 21 Jul 2026

Vande Mataram Prevention of Insults Bill

Which one of the following statements regarding the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is correct?

AIt amends Article 51A(a) of the Constitution to include the National Song alongside the National Anthem in the Fundamental Duties.
BIt amends Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 to make insulting Vande Mataram punishable with up to three years' imprisonment, on par with the National Anthem.
CIt was introduced as a Constitutional Amendment Bill requiring a two-thirds majority in Parliament for passage.
DVande Mataram was first included in the Fundamental Duties by the Constituent Assembly in 1950, alongside the National Anthem.
This question is based on: The Bill That Wants Vande Mataram to Match the National Anthem in Law
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 21 Jul 2026
About this question

Why in news

The Centre has listed the Bill for introduction in the Rajya Sabha at the start of the Monsoon Session, drawing CPI(M) opposition over concerns of pluralism and freedom of conscience.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often tests whether a change is achieved via constitutional amendment or ordinary statute, a distinction that determines the required parliamentary majority and is a recurring conceptual trap.

Prelims summary

The 2026 Bill amends Section 3 of the ordinary 1971 Act (not Article 51A itself) to criminalise insult to Vande Mataram on par with the National Anthem, needing only a simple majority since the Constitution's text is untouched.

On web, answers are shown once after a test — no save or reattempt. For unlimited reattempts, Hindi medium, and Mentor Observations, use the TAN App.