Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: The Tripura government has made it mandatory for all schools in the state to begin the academic day with the full version of the National Song Vande Mataram, followed by the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, in line with directives issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The directive, issued by the School Education Department through a notification dated July 3, will apply to all government, government-aided, private, and recognised madrasa schools across the state.
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who also holds the School Education portfolio, said the move was aimed at ensuring that both the National Song and the National Anthem are accorded due respect in educational institutions.
According to the notification, every school will be required to commence its daily academic routine with the community singing of the full version of Vande Mataram, immediately followed by the National Anthem.
The order further stipulates that all students, teachers, non-teaching staff and administrative personnel must stand at attention whenever the National Song is sung or played as a mark of respect and proper decorum.
The School Education Department said the decision was taken to ensure uniform implementation of the Centre’s guidelines on the rendition of the National Song, while promoting national integration and fostering respect for national symbols among students.
The notification noted that the decision had been approved by the Tripura Council of Ministers and conveyed by the General Administration (Confidential and Cabinet) Department through a communication dated June 25, 2026.
Issued by Additional Secretary Rajib Datta, the order has been circulated to the Director of Secondary Education, Director of Elementary Education, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE), the Principal Officer (Education) of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), District Education Officers, Inspectors of Schools and other concerned authorities for implementation.
The National Anthem is already a regular feature of morning assemblies in schools across Tripura. While several institutions have traditionally included Vande Mataram as part of the assembly, its rendition had so far remained optional and was left to the discretion of individual school administrations. Under the new directive, its singing has now become mandatory in all schools across the state.