UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Govt. to move Bill in RS to make insult to the National Song a criminal offence

Q1. With reference to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (as in force before the 2026 amendment), consider the following national symbols: 1. National Flag 2. Constitution of India 3. National Anthem 4. National Song Which of the above is/are correctly identified as enjoying explicit protection against insult under the Act?

  1. National Flag
  2. Constitution of India
  3. National Anthem
  4. National Song
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Under Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the offence relating to the National Anthem consists precisely of which one of the following?

  • A. Intentionally preventing the singing of the National Anthem, or causing disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing
  • B. Failing to stand up when the National Anthem is played in a public place
  • C. Any act of disrespect to the National Anthem, whether committed in public or in private
  • D. Refusing to join in the singing of the National Anthem at an official function

Q3. Prior to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which one of the following was the ONLY sung national symbol to enjoy explicit statutory protection against insult under Indian law?

  • A. Jana Gana Mana (the National Anthem)
  • B. Vande Mataram (the National Song)
  • C. Sare Jahan Se Achha
  • D. Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the status of India's National Anthem and National Song: 1. The National Anthem was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. 2. Vande Mataram was accorded status equal to the National Anthem through a statement made by the President of the Constituent Assembly. 3. The National Song is expressly named in the text of the Constitution of India. 4. Before 2026, only the National Anthem enjoyed explicit penal protection under the 1971 Act. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The National Anthem was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.
  2. Vande Mataram was accorded status equal to the National Anthem through a statement made by the President of the Constituent Assembly.
  3. The National Song is expressly named in the text of the Constitution of India.
  4. Before 2026, only the National Anthem enjoyed explicit penal protection under the 1971 Act.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q5. In which year was the poem Vande Mataram first published, in the Bengali literary journal Bangadarshan?

  • A. 1875
  • B. 1882
  • C. 1896
  • D. 1905

Q6. The expression 'Vande Mataram' is most accurately translated as which one of the following?

  • A. I bow to thee, O Mother
  • B. Long live the Motherland
  • C. Victory to Mother India
  • D. Hail, O sacred land

Q7. Which Union Minister is to move the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Parliament?

  • A. The Union Home Minister
  • B. The Union Law and Justice Minister
  • C. The Union Minister for Culture
  • D. The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister

Q8. Consider the following statements comparing the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 with the parent Act of 1971: 1. The 2026 Bill amends the existing 1971 Act rather than enacting a wholly new statute. 2. Whereas the 1971 Act protects the National Anthem, the 2026 amendment extends comparable protection to the National Song. 3. The 2026 Bill prescribes a maximum imprisonment of ten years, substantially higher than the term provided under the 1971 Act. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2026 Bill amends the existing 1971 Act rather than enacting a wholly new statute.
  2. Whereas the 1971 Act protects the National Anthem, the 2026 amendment extends comparable protection to the National Song.
  3. The 2026 Bill prescribes a maximum imprisonment of ten years, substantially higher than the term provided under the 1971 Act.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. With reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs directive of July 2026 on the National Song and National Anthem, consider the following: 1. When both are performed together, Vande Mataram is to be sung or played before Jana Gana Mana. 2. The full six-stanza version of Vande Mataram is to be used at the specified official events. 3. The audience is required to stand to attention when the official version of the National Song is played. 4. Every commercial cinema screening must play Vande Mataram before the film begins. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as directed?

  1. When both are performed together, Vande Mataram is to be sung or played before Jana Gana Mana.
  2. The full six-stanza version of Vande Mataram is to be used at the specified official events.
  3. The audience is required to stand to attention when the official version of the National Song is played.
  4. Every commercial cinema screening must play Vande Mataram before the film begins.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q10. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs directive of 2026, when both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed at an official event, which one is to be rendered first?

  • A. The National Song, Vande Mataram
  • B. The National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana
  • C. Whichever the presiding dignitary chooses
  • D. The State song, followed by both national symbols

Q11. As of 2026, how many Fundamental Duties are enumerated in Article 51A of the Constitution of India?

  • A. 9
  • B. 10
  • C. 11
  • D. 12

Q12. The complete original poem of Vande Mataram, as it appeared in the novel Anandamath, consists of how many stanzas?

  • A. Two
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Six