Ministry: 
Home Affairs
  • The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on July 24, 2026.  It seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.  The Act penalises insults to the national flag, the Constitution of India, and the national anthem.
  • Insults to the national song:  The Act prohibits: (i) intentionally preventing the singing of the national anthem (Jana Gana
    Mana
    ), or (ii) causing disturbance to any assembly engaged in such singing.  These offences are punishable with imprisonment up to three years, a fine, or both.  A second and every subsequent conviction is punishable with imprisonment of a minimum of one year.  The Bill extends these provisions to the national song (Vande Mataram).

 

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