UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Amid ruckus, Ministry tables Bill in RS to punish insult to National Song

Q1. Under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, an act of showing disrespect to the National Flag or the Constitution attracts the penal provision only when it is committed in which one of the following circumstances?

  • A. Only inside a government building or other public office
  • B. Only during an official State ceremony such as Republic Day or Independence Day
  • C. In any public place, or in any other place within public view
  • D. Anywhere, including entirely within a private residence and out of public view

Q2. What is the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed on a first-time offender for insulting the National Flag under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971?

  • A. One year
  • B. Three years
  • C. Six months
  • D. Seven years

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the status of the National Anthem and the National Song: 1. Jana Gana Mana was declared the National Anthem on 24 January 1950. 2. Vande Mataram was accorded a status equal to Jana Gana Mana while being designated the National Song. 3. Neither the National Anthem nor the National Song is named in the text of the Constitution of India. 4. The National Song was given the same constitutional status as a Fundamental Duty by being written into Article 51A. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Jana Gana Mana was declared the National Anthem on 24 January 1950.
  2. Vande Mataram was accorded a status equal to Jana Gana Mana while being designated the National Song.
  3. Neither the National Anthem nor the National Song is named in the text of the Constitution of India.
  4. The National Song was given the same constitutional status as a Fundamental Duty by being written into Article 51A.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram: 1. Jana Gana Mana was composed by Rabindranath Tagore, whereas Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. 2. Jana Gana Mana was first sung at a Congress session in 1896, whereas Vande Mataram was first sung at a Congress session in 1911. 3. As the law stood before 2026, the singing of Jana Gana Mana enjoyed statutory protection under the 1971 Act, whereas Vande Mataram did not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Jana Gana Mana was composed by Rabindranath Tagore, whereas Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
  2. Jana Gana Mana was first sung at a Congress session in 1896, whereas Vande Mataram was first sung at a Congress session in 1911.
  3. As the law stood before 2026, the singing of Jana Gana Mana enjoyed statutory protection under the 1971 Act, whereas Vande Mataram did not.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. In which one of the following did Vande Mataram FIRST appear in print?

  • A. In the novel Anandamath, in 1882
  • B. In the periodical Bangadarshan, in 1875
  • C. In the newspaper Amrita Bazar Patrika, in 1885
  • D. In a pamphlet circulated at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Congress

Q6. The nationwide, year-long commemoration of 150 Years of the National Song Vande Mataram, inaugurated on 7 November 2025, was organised by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Culture
  • C. Ministry of Education
  • D. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Q7. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was piloted in the Rajya Sabha by a Minister of State attached to which one of the following Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Culture
  • B. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • C. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Home Affairs

Q8. With reference to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, consider the following: 1. It was introduced in the Rajya Sabha. 2. It amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. 3. It proposes imprisonment which may extend to three years for intentionally obstructing or disturbing the singing of Vande Mataram. 4. It was passed by the Rajya Sabha on the day of its introduction by a recorded division. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
  2. It amends the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
  3. It proposes imprisonment which may extend to three years for intentionally obstructing or disturbing the singing of Vande Mataram.
  4. It was passed by the Rajya Sabha on the day of its introduction by a recorded division.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. Regarding the decision on national symbols announced in the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950, consider the following statements: 1. The statement was made by the President of the Constituent Assembly, Dr Rajendra Prasad. 2. Jana Gana Mana was adopted as the National Anthem. 3. Vande Mataram was declared to have equal status with, and to be honoured equally with, Jana Gana Mana. 4. Both the National Anthem and the National Song were incorporated as enforceable provisions within the text of the Constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The statement was made by the President of the Constituent Assembly, Dr Rajendra Prasad.
  2. Jana Gana Mana was adopted as the National Anthem.
  3. Vande Mataram was declared to have equal status with, and to be honoured equally with, Jana Gana Mana.
  4. Both the National Anthem and the National Song were incorporated as enforceable provisions within the text of the Constitution.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 2

Q10. Which one of the following most accurately describes the status the Constituent Assembly conferred on Vande Mataram on 24 January 1950?

  • A. It was honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and designated the National Song
  • B. It was made the sole and exclusive National Anthem, entirely displacing all other songs
  • C. It was permanently barred from every official use on account of its religious imagery
  • D. It was given a footing identical to Jana Gana Mana in every respect within the Constitution

Q11. Consider the following statements about the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and its later amendments: 1. The parent Act was enacted in 1971, while amendments in 2003 and 2005 expanded the restrictions relating to the National Flag. 2. The 2005 amendment was the measure that first extended the Act's protection to the National Song, Vande Mataram. 3. Unlike the original 1971 Act, the later amendments prohibited uses such as draping the flag over a speaker's podium or using it as clothing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The parent Act was enacted in 1971, while amendments in 2003 and 2005 expanded the restrictions relating to the National Flag.
  2. The 2005 amendment was the measure that first extended the Act's protection to the National Song, Vande Mataram.
  3. Unlike the original 1971 Act, the later amendments prohibited uses such as draping the flag over a speaker's podium or using it as clothing.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. In Rajya Sabha procedure, when an objection to the introduction of a Bill is decided by a 'voice vote', it means that the question is settled in which one of the following ways?

  • A. Each member presses an electronic button so that individual votes are recorded and displayed
  • B. The presiding officer determines the result from the relative volume of the 'Ayes' and 'Noes' called out, without recording individual votes
  • C. Members walk into separate lobbies of the House and are physically counted
  • D. A secret ballot is held in which members' individual choices are not disclosed