May 6, 2026 - Current Affairs

Vande Mataram Insult to Become Punishable Offence, Cabinet Clears Amendment

May 6, 2026

An amendment to bring the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, under which the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ receives protection under the law, just like the national anthem does. In so doing, any deliberate interference, or lack of respect when it is rendered, might be turned into a punishable offence. The goal of the decision is to improve the position of the national song and guarantee equal respect nationwide. The amendment will boost legal actions pertaining to national symbols and will ensure their significance in public and formal occasions.

Vande Mataram Amendment 2026: Key Highlights of Punishable Offence Law

This proposal has been endorsed by the Union Cabinet to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, to incorporate Vande Mataram as a part of this bill.
The amendment attempts to bring the national song on the same legal platform as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
Any deliberate interference, disturbance or disrespect during singing the Vande Mataram can be punishable by law.
The penalties proposed are likely to be comparable to the penalties proposed in case of insulting the national anthem, which may include imprisonment for up to three years.
The purpose of the move is to make national symbols respected and to guarantee that the uniform behaviour in relation to official and public events is achieved.
The amendment also indicates the attempt by the government to give statutory support to the national song that previously did not have specific legal protection under the Act.
This is instead of the previous guidelines issued by the government as to what ought to be done during the rendition of Vande Mataram, such as standing in respect.
The work, Vande Mataram, by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, plays an important role in the freedom movement in India, and was chosen as the country’s national anthem in 1950.
The amendment will only take effect once the Parliament enacts the bill, which will be legally binding in the entire country of India.
Generally, the action is regarded as a step towards enhancing the national identity, respect, and legal clarity with respect to the symbolic heritage of the country.

PYQs on Vande Mataram

Exam & Year	Question	Options	Correct Answer
SSC CGL 2018	Who is the author of Vande Mataram?	(A) Rabindranath Tagore (B) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (C) Sarojini Naidu (D) Subhas Chandra Bose	(B) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
RRB NTPC 2019	Vande Mataram was first sung at which session of the Indian National Congress?	(A) 1885 Bombay (B) 1896 Calcutta (C) 1905 Bengal (D) 1911 Delhi	(B) 1896 Calcutta Session
UPSC Prelims 2014	The song Vande Mataram is a part of which novel?	(A) Anandamath (B) Gitanjali (C) Godan (D) Durgesh Nandini	(A) Anandamath
SSC CHSL 2020	In which year was Vande Mataram first sung at an INC session?	(A) 1882 (B) 1896 (C) 1901 (D) 1915	(B) 1896
RRB Group D 2022	Who first sang Vande Mataram at the 1896 INC Session?	(A) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (B) Rabindranath Tagore (C) Lata Mangeshkar (D) Jawaharlal Nehru	(B) Rabindranath Tagore
SSC MTS 2021	When was Vande Mataram adopted as the National Song of India?	(A) 15 August 1947 (B) 24 January 1950 (C) 26 January 1950 (D) 2 October 1948	(B) 24 January 1950
UPSC Prelims 2017	Vande Mataram became a symbol during which movement?	(A) Swadeshi Movement (B) Non-Cooperation Movement (C) Civil Disobedience Movement (D) Quit India Movement	(A) Swadeshi Movement
SSC CPO 2019	Vande Mataram was originally written in which language?	(A) Hindi (B) Bengali (C) Sanskrit (D) Sanskritised Bengali	(D) Sanskritised Bengali
RRB NTPC 2020	Which Act deals with insults to national symbols like the National Anthem?	(A) IPC (B) Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (C) RTI Act (D) IT Act	(B) Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
SSC GD 2023	Vande Mataram gained prominence during which phase?	(A) Revolt of 1857 (B) Swadeshi Movement (C) Emergency (D) Green Revolution	(B) Swadeshi Movement

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Conclusion – Vande Mataram Insult Law

The proposed legislation to criminalise the act of disrespecting Vande Mataram is indicative of the government’s perception that it should increase the protection offered under the law to promote the protection of national symbols. The amendment lays stress on respect and dignity in its rendering by matching it with provisions that are parallel under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. At the time of its enactment, it is hoped that it will facilitate awareness creation, uniformity of conduct, and reinforcement of the cultural and historical significance of the national song throughout the country.

UDGAM Portal Update: 30 Banks Integrated to Help Legal Heirs Trace Unclaimed Funds

May 6, 2026

The UDGAM Portal, which has been implemented by the Reserve Bank of India to strengthen its digital initiative, has brought approximately 30 banks together, which allows the users of this digital initiative to trace their unclaimed deposits across these institutions in one place. The portal, named Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway to Access Information (UDGAM), assists depositors and nominees, in addition to legal heirs, to discover the presence of inactive funds over the years. Such a step simplifies the process of rediscovering lost bank balances and enhances transparency within the financial system. It is an extension of the larger drive of RBI to have that money contained in the chores of a financier to embrace us safely in the arms of its legitimate owners without incurring any unnecessary expenses.

Significance of UDGAM Portal

UDGAM Portal: The UDGAM Portal is a centralised system, developed by the Reserve Bank of India, to enable users to search unclaimed deposits among various banks at one location.
The portal has been integrated with around 30 banks covering approximately 90% of the unclaimed deposits within the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund in the RBI.
The portal enables depositors, nominees, and legal heirs to follow up on unclaimed money with just basic details, like name, PAN or date of birth.
It comprises all the types of deposits, such as savings accounts, fixed deposits, current accounts, and other inactive balances.
In case a bank account has not been used in ten years or more, the sum is forfeited in the DEA Fund, yet the ownership remains with the customer or their heirs.
Search and identification सुविधा; only up to this point, after which the specific claim process and identification have to be performed in relation to the respective bank.
To capture search features, users are required to enter the portal using a mobile number and authenticate using OTP.
The platform has made a process, which was once complex, of making a multitude of contacts to various banks, just to find unclaimed funds.
Legal heirs are allowed to receive funds by presenting documents like a death certificate, identity proof and details of succession to the respective bank.
The project is one of many that RBI has undertaken to enhance the financial awareness and transparency and the ease of reclaiming money, which falls under the broader campaign of RBI in the context of Your Money, Your Right.

What is UDGAM Portal & How Does it Work?

The UDGAM Portal (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access Information) is a central depository web resource created by the Reserve Bank of India to enable users to search for unclaimed bank deposits in various banks. It enables registered users to have inactive accounts, e.g., savings or fixed deposits, in a single location. One has to initially create an account with the help of a mobile number, after which one can search with information such as name or PAN. The portal would show deposit details, and at this point, the claimant would be required to visit the relevant bank with their documents to claim the money.

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Conclusion – UDGAM Portal Update

The UDGAM Portal is a positive stride by the Reserve Bank of India into enhancing the level of transparency and access to the banking system. The significant integration of several banks, it makes it easier to trace unclaimed deposits of the depositors and their legal heirs. The portal not only saves the hustle of searching through different institutions, but it also helps foster financial awareness. In general, it assures the right owners to easily identify and reclaim their money with greater ease and confidence.

Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2026, Raghav Das Gaiha Honoured

May 6, 2026

Raghav Das Gaiha is a renowned development economist, recognised for having made distinguished contributions to the actual development studies and poverty research. The prestigious award recognises scholars who have made significant contributions to knowledge in such fields as economic development, inequality, and social policy. Gaiha has made significant contributions to policy and scholarly discussion through his extraordinarily broad research into rural poverty, food security, and welfare economics. His contribution, which has been widely published in major journals, still remains a key reference in the development approaches in India and elsewhere, reaffirming his status as a major voice in the development economics of the world.

Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2026: Key Highlights

Raghav Das Gaiha is a celebrated world-renowned development economist who has conducted his research on development economics, including poverty, inequality and rural development.
His work has been very pertinent in policymaking because he has made a significant contribution to the understanding of chronic poverty and rural economic conditions in India.
One of the most honourable and respected awards in development studies, the Malcolm Adideshiah Award is given in recognition of exceptional contributions to the field.
The study by Gaiha deals with food security, employment, and welfare programmes and, as such, is critical to developing economies, such as India.
His research in academia has been published in well-known journals like Development and Change and Economic and Political Weekly.
He has also collaborated with international institutions and researchers on issues related to global poverty and social development.
The award has noted his contributions of long term contributions to evidence-based policy research and economic reforms.
In his works, Gaiha frequently focuses on inclusive development and sustainable growth, which are in line with international development agendas.
His work has influenced academic studies as well as government policy, especially in rural and agricultural areas.
His 2026 Malcolm Adideshiah Award is yet another stamp of his great importance and of his reputation as the foremost exponent of development economics.

About Malcolm Adiseshiah

Malcolm Adiseshaiah (1910-1994) was a famous Indian economist, educationist and development thinker. He was the assistant director-general of UNESCO and was instrumental in advancing the policies of global higher education. Adiseshiah was popularly referred to as ‘Mr Literacy’ due to his groundbreaking contribution in enhancing literacy and functional education in India. He also played an important role in the development of academics as he was a member of the Madras Christian College and, consequently, a member of the Planning Commission of India. He worked towards the inclusion of education, socio-economic development, and the enhancement of the institutional frameworks in developing countries towards sustainable development.

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Conclusion – Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2026

The Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2026 reminds us of the indispensability of insightful studies in development studies and social policy. The award reinforces the worth of evidence-based solutions to deal with poverty, inequality, and economic challenges. Not only does it celebrate academic brilliance, but it also promotes a contribution with a significant effect that will affect public policy and sustainable development. This kind of recognition is critical in enhancing research which will have a real-life effect and which would help the growth to be inclusive, not just in India but globally.