150 Years of Vande Mataram: Year-Long Celebration Launched
Why in the news
The Prime Minister inaugurated a year-long programme on 7 November 2025 to mark 150 years since Vande Mataram was composed.
Key facts
- Composer: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838-1894).
- Written on 7 November 1875, on Akshaya Navami, and published the same day in the literary journal Bangadarshan.
- Later placed in his novel Anandamath (1882).
- Music: set by Rabindranath Tagore.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1875 | Composed and first published |
| 1882 | Included in Anandamath |
| 1937 | First two verses adopted as National Song by the Congress Working Committee |
| 1950 | Rajendra Prasad announced equal honour with the National Anthem |
Official status
On 24 January 1950, Dr Rajendra Prasad stated that Jana Gana Mana would be the National Anthem, while Vande Mataram would be honoured equally because of its role in the freedom movement. The Constitution does not name a national song; Article 51A(a) asks citizens to respect the Constitution, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
Exam angle
- Remember the composer, the 1875 date and the Bangadarshan connection.
- Do not confuse the National Song with the National Anthem.
- Anandamath (1882) is the novel that carried the song.