UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 150 years of Vande Mataram to be the theme of Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path

Q1. In which one of the following was 'Vande Mataram' first published, before it was later incorporated into a novel?

  • A. Bangadarshan
  • B. Anandamath
  • C. Bande Mataram (English daily)
  • D. Amrita Bazar Patrika

Q2. With reference to the origin of 'Vande Mataram', consider the following statements: 1. It first appeared in the periodical Bangadarshan before it was incorporated into a novel. 2. The novel Anandamath, into which the song was later woven, was published as a standalone book in 1882. 3. Anandamath was originally written in Sanskrit, whereas the song 'Vande Mataram' was composed in Bengali. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It first appeared in the periodical Bangadarshan before it was incorporated into a novel.
  2. The novel Anandamath, into which the song was later woven, was published as a standalone book in 1882.
  3. Anandamath was originally written in Sanskrit, whereas the song 'Vande Mataram' was composed in Bengali.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which one of the following has been accorded the status of the National Song of India?

  • A. Vande Mataram
  • B. Jana Gana Mana
  • C. Saare Jahan Se Achha
  • D. Vande Bharat

Q4. At the Union level, matters relating to national symbols and national honour — including administration of the law prohibiting improper use of the State Emblem — are handled by which one of the following Ministries?

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

Q5. With reference to the association of 'Vande Mataram' with the freedom struggle, which of the following are correctly identified? 1. Rabindranath Tagore — first sang 'Vande Mataram' at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Congress. 2. Bipin Chandra Pal — editor of the English daily 'Bande Mataram' launched in 1906. 3. Sri Aurobindo — joined the 'Bande Mataram' daily as joint editor. 4. Lala Lajpat Rai — composed the musical tune of 'Vande Mataram' for the Swadeshi movement. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore — first sang 'Vande Mataram' at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Congress.
  2. Bipin Chandra Pal — editor of the English daily 'Bande Mataram' launched in 1906.
  3. Sri Aurobindo — joined the 'Bande Mataram' daily as joint editor.
  4. Lala Lajpat Rai — composed the musical tune of 'Vande Mataram' for the Swadeshi movement.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q6. 'Vande Mataram' was first sung at a Congress session in 1896 and was first raised as a political slogan of the Swadeshi/anti-partition agitation in 1905. How many years separate these two milestones?

  • A. 6 years
  • B. 9 years
  • C. 12 years
  • D. 15 years

Q7. Which one of the following will make its first-ever debut at the 77th Republic Day Parade 2026 on Kartavya Path?

  • A. The Indian Army's Battle Array Formation
  • B. The Mounted Column of the 61 Cavalry
  • C. The fly-past by the Indian Air Force
  • D. The Beating Retreat ceremony

Q8. In the context of the Republic Day Parade 2026, the 'Bande Mataram Album' being displayed as view-cutters along Kartavya Path refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A 1923 collection of paintings by Tejendra Kumar Mitra illustrating the verses of 'Vande Mataram'
  • B. A 1905 compilation of Swadeshi movement songs published in Bengal
  • C. The original 1882 manuscript of the novel Anandamath
  • D. A 2025 digital archive of national songs launched by the Ministry of Culture

Q9. With reference to the Chief Guests of the Republic Day 2026 celebrations, consider the following statements: 1. For the first time, the leadership of the European Union was jointly invited as Chief Guests. 2. The Chief Guests were António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. 3. António Costa attended as President of the European Commission and Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Council. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. For the first time, the leadership of the European Union was jointly invited as Chief Guests.
  2. The Chief Guests were António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
  3. António Costa attended as President of the European Commission and Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Council.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. With reference to the year-long commemoration of 150 years of 'Vande Mataram', which of the following are correctly stated? 1. The commemoration was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 7 November 2025. 2. The commemoration is scheduled to run until 7 November 2026. 3. The National Song is believed to have been written on Akshaya Navami in 1875. 4. The inaugural ceremony was held exclusively at the Red Fort, New Delhi. Which of the above is/are correctly stated?

  1. The commemoration was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 7 November 2025.
  2. The commemoration is scheduled to run until 7 November 2026.
  3. The National Song is believed to have been written on Akshaya Navami in 1875.
  4. The inaugural ceremony was held exclusively at the Red Fort, New Delhi.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. Under which one of the following is the improper or commercial use of India's State Emblem prohibited?

  • A. The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005
  • B. The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950
  • C. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
  • D. The National Symbols Regulation Act, 2005

Q12. Consider the following pairings of Indian national symbols with facts about their adoption/first performance: 1. National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) — adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. 2. National Song (Vande Mataram) — accorded equal honour with the National Anthem on 24 January 1950. 3. National Emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka, Sarnath) — adopted on 26 January 1950. 4. National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) — first sung at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Congress. Which of the above is/are correctly matched?

  1. National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) — adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.
  2. National Song (Vande Mataram) — accorded equal honour with the National Anthem on 24 January 1950.
  3. National Emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka, Sarnath) — adopted on 26 January 1950.
  4. National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana) — first sung at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Congress.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4