The Central government has once again directed all states, Union Territories and central ministries to strictly follow the prescribed protocol for playing and singing the National Song Vande Mataram and the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana during official functions. According to a communication issued on July 9, Vande Mataram must always precede Jana Gana Mana whenever both are performed at the same event.

The fresh advisory reiterates existing rules under the national protocol and asks authorities to ensure uniform implementation across the country. It is the second such directive issued within five months, following a similar order circulated on January 28.

The Ministry stated that the sequence of performances has already been defined under existing guidelines and must be followed consistently. States that also have an officially recognised state song have been instructed to ensure that the national protocol remains unchanged.

Strict adherence to official version

The Centre has directed all state governments, Union Territories and ministries to ensure that both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed using their original lyrics, proper pronunciation and officially approved versions.

To facilitate uniform implementation, the government has uploaded the authorised versions of both compositions on the Ministry's official website for public access and institutional use.

January order reiterated

The latest communication follows an earlier directive issued on January 28, which introduced several guidelines regarding the performance of Vande Mataram in educational institutions and official programmes.

Under those instructions:

• Schools were advised to begin the day by playing Vande Mataram.

• People were required to stand respectfully during the National Song.

• All six stanzas of Vande Mataram, lasting approximately three minutes and ten seconds, were recommended instead of limiting performances to only the first two stanzas.

• Cinema halls were kept outside the scope of the directive, meaning there is no requirement to play Vande Mataram before film screenings.

• Audiences are also not required to stand if the National Song forms part of a documentary or newsreel.

Historical significance

Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on November 7, 1875, and was later published in his novel Anandamath in 1882.

The song gained national prominence in 1896 when Rabindranath Tagore sang it during the Indian National Congress session. During India's freedom movement, Vande Mataram became one of the most powerful slogans of the struggle against British colonial rule.

The Sanskrit phrase translates to "I bow to thee, Mother," symbolising devotion to the motherland.

Featured in Republic Day celebrations

The National Song also featured prominently during the 77th Republic Day celebrations earlier this year. The Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path adopted "Vande Mataram" as its central theme, while the Ministry of Culture showcased a tableau commemorating 150 years of the iconic composition. The tableau later received the award for the best entry among ministries and departments.

Political debate continues

The National Song has remained a subject of political debate in recent years. During Parliament's Winter Session last year, discussions marking its 150th anniversary saw sharp exchanges between the ruling BJP and the Opposition.

The BJP accused previous Congress governments of diluting portions of the song, while Congress alleged that the issue was being raised for political reasons ahead of elections. The debate also included references to historical correspondence involving Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose regarding objections raised over certain portions of the song.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also referred to the issue during his address in the Lok Sabha, calling for greater respect towards Vande Mataram and its place in India's freedom movement.

With the latest directive, the Centre has reiterated that official programmes across the country must uniformly follow the prescribed sequence and protocol whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed.

The resignation of George Kurian has sparked political discussion in Kerala, where he has long been regarded as one of the BJP’s most prominent Christian leaders. His exit comes amid shifting political equations following recent developments in the state.

George Kurian Steps Down from Union Council of Ministers

Union Minister of State George Kurian resigned from the Union Council of Ministers on Tuesday, marking the end of his tenure in the Narendra Modi-led government. President Droupadi Murmu accepted his resignation on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The government has not officially disclosed the reason behind Kurian’s resignation. However, the development comes just days after the completion of his six-year Rajya Sabha term on June 21. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had chosen not to renominate him during the latest Rajya Sabha elections, effectively ending his tenure in Parliament.

Kurian, 65, served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. He was inducted into the Modi 3.0 government in June 2024 and represented Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha from August 2024 until June 2026.

A Prominent BJP Face in Kerala

A lawyer by profession, George Kurian has been associated with the BJP since the party’s formation in 1980. Over the decades, he emerged as one of the party’s most influential leaders in Kerala and held several key organizational positions, including state general secretary and vice-president of the BJP’s Kerala unit.

Kurian also served as national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and was a member of the BJP national executive. Within party circles, he earned recognition as an effective spokesperson and frequently represented the BJP in television debates.

One of his notable roles was translating speeches of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah into Malayalam during their visits to Kerala, helping the party strengthen its outreach among local audiences.

Political Significance

Kurian belongs to the Syro-Malabar Catholic community, one of Kerala’s largest Christian denominations. His appointment as a Union Minister in 2024 was widely viewed as part of the BJP’s broader strategy to expand its support among Christian voters in the state.

Political observers believe his exclusion from the Rajya Sabha may be linked to the BJP’s evolving electoral strategy in Kerala following recent political developments. However, neither the BJP nor the central government has issued any official statement explaining the decision.

According to party sources, Kurian’s departure is unlikely to affect the BJP’s organizational presence in Kerala immediately, but it may influence discussions around the party’s future Christian outreach strategy in the state.

PM Modi to Hand Over Job Letters to 51,000 Youths at 19th Rozgar Mela Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute appointment letters for government jobs to more than 51,000 young candidates on Saturday, as the Centre continues its flagship recruitment drive under the Rozgar Mela initiative.

The 19th edition of the event is scheduled for 11 AM and will be conducted via video conferencing, with physical venues set up across 47 cities nationwide. Officials said the selected candidates will receive offers from multiple central departments, including Railways, Ministry of Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Financial Services, and Higher Education.

Over 51,000 Appointments

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the distribution covers fresh recruits who have cleared various selection processes. While the bulk of appointments are in Group C and D posts, a smaller number of Group B positions are also included.

“The Rozgar Mela is a major scheme to provide employment to the country’s youth,” a government spokesperson said, adding that the drive aims to speed up recruitment and reduce vacancies across ministries. Saturday’s event alone will see more than 51,000 job letters issued.

47 Cities Across India

The mela will be held simultaneously in state capitals and major urban centres, including Lucknow, Patna, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, and Chandigarh, among others. Regional nodal officers have been appointed to oversee the smooth distribution of offer letters at each location.

Local authorities have set up help desks at the venues to assist candidates with document verification and onboarding formalities. In many cities, the events will be streamed live so that participants can view the PM’s address.

PM’s Social Media Post

Ahead of the event, Modi posted on X, reiterating the government’s commitment to youth empowerment. “Our administration is continuously working for a better future and to strengthen the hands of the young generation,” he wrote. “The Rozgar Mela is providing an opportunity for youth to secure government jobs.”

This is not the first time the Prime Minister has highlighted the mela’s reach. In previous addresses, he has described it as a transparent, fast-track mechanism to fill vacancies without the traditional delays.

12 Lakh Beneficiaries So Far

The Rozgar Mela was first launched on October 22, 2022. At that time, Modi had set a target of providing 10 lakh government jobs by the end of 2023. Official data shows that around 12 lakh appointments have already been made across 18 earlier editions.

A record 1 lakh job letters were handed out on February 12, 2024, during the 12th Rozgar Mela, which came just before the general elections. By early 2025, the cumulative figure crossed the 11-lakh mark. The 18th mela saw 61,000 youths receive appointment letters.

Focus on Women Empowerment

During the 18th Rozgar Mela, the Prime Minister had pointed to rising female participation in the workforce. “Women are leading in startups across the country. The rate of women’s self-employment has increased by 15%,” he said in his virtual address. More than 8,000 women received appointment letters in that single event.

Officials familiar with the recruitment data said Saturday’s distribution is also expected to have significant female representation, though final numbers will be available after the event.

Next Steps for New Recruits

Candidates who receive job letters today will undergo induction training under the government’s revised capacity-building framework. Many will join their postings within the next four to six weeks, depending on departmental clearances.

With the 19th Rozgar Mela underway, the government has indicated that more editions are planned in the coming months. While no fresh targets have been announced, sources said the focus remains on completing pending recruitment from earlier notifications.