150 years of Vande Mataram, and a Bill to protect it like the anthem
5 May 2026
2026 marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, and the Republic Day parade's theme was '150 Years of Vande Mataram'. In February 2026 the Home Ministry issued guidelines for singing all six stanzas at official functions. On 5 May 2026 the Union Cabinet approved amending the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 so that insulting or obstructing the singing of Vande Mataram becomes an offence, as it already is for the National Anthem; a Bill followed in the Monsoon Session. Critics raised free-expression concerns.
Background. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Vande Mataram in 1875 and included it in his novel Anandamath (1882). Rabindranath Tagore sang it at the Congress session in Calcutta in 1896. The Constituent Assembly adopted it as the National Song on 24 January 1950, the same day as the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. The 1971 Act protects the National Flag, the Constitution and the Anthem.
Why CLAT asks: National Song versus National Anthem (authors, dates, protection by law) is a standard question.
Sources: The Statesman: Union Cabinet clears proposal to grant Vande Mataram same statutory protection as National Anthem; The Week: Jail for insulting or disrupting Vande Mataram: Centre plans Bill in Monsoon Session (17 July 2026)
Republic Day 2026: the EU's two Presidents as chief guests
26 January 2026
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were the chief guests at the 77th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2026, the first time two EU leaders shared the honour. Their visit from 25 to 27 January included the 16th India-EU Summit, at which the free trade agreement was announced. The parade's theme was 150 years of Vande Mataram.
Background. The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, the date chosen because the Congress had declared Purna Swaraj on 26 January 1930. The first Republic Day chief guest was Indonesia's President Sukarno (1950).
Why CLAT asks: Chief guests and why 26 January was chosen are recurring questions.
Sources: ThePrint: Republic Day 77th parade 2026, live updates; Aviation Defence Universe: 150 years of Vande Mataram to be the theme of Republic Day Parade 2026
International Day of Yoga 2026: 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'
21 June 2026
The 12th International Day of Yoga on 21 June 2026 had the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', presenting yoga as a lifelong practice for healthy, active and dignified ageing. The main national event, at which Prime Minister Modi was to lead the Common Yoga Protocol, was held on Red Road, Kolkata; the host city had been announced at the Yoga Mahotsav at Khajuraho. Indian missions held events abroad, including at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Background. The UN General Assembly declared 21 June, the summer solstice, as International Day of Yoga in December 2014, on India's proposal; it was first observed in 2015.
Why CLAT asks: Theme and host city change each year; the date and the UN resolution year do not.
Sources: All India Radio News: International Yoga Day 2026 being celebrated across the globe with theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'; All India Radio News: PM Modi to lead main International Day of Yoga event at Kolkata's Red Road (20 June 2026)
India win a third T20 World Cup, at home
8 March 2026
India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on 8 March 2026, beating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad: 255 for 5 against 159. India became the first team to win the title three times (2007, 2024, 2026), the first to defend it and the first to win it at home. Jasprit Bumrah (4 for 15) was player of the final and Sanju Samson player of the tournament. India and Sri Lanka co-hosted.
Background. The first T20 World Cup was held in South Africa in 2007; India won it under M.S. Dhoni. The ICC is headquartered in Dubai.
Why CLAT asks: Winners, venues and award winners of major tournaments are standard sports GK.
Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka): ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: the final chapter
Spain win the first 48-team FIFA World Cup
19 July 2026
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium, New York-New Jersey, on 19 July 2026, Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute. It was Spain's second title, after 2010. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, was the first with 48 teams, and FIFA reported a record attendance of about 6.8 million.
Background. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was won by Argentina. The 2030 edition will be shared by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening matches in South America to mark the centenary.
Why CLAT asks: Host countries and winners of the last two World Cups are easy marks.
Source: Associated Press (via Times Argus): Ferran Torres scores in extra time as Spain beats Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup
Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2026: India fourth with 39 medals
2 August 2026
At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 2026, India finished fourth with 39 medals (13 gold, 17 silver, 9 bronze), behind Australia, England and Canada. Boxing gave India ten medals, seven of them gold, and Mirabai Chanu became the first Indian to win three consecutive Commonwealth gold medals. The slimmed-down programme of ten core sports left out shooting, badminton, wrestling and table tennis, events in which India usually wins many medals.
Background. The 2030 Commonwealth Games, the centenary edition, will be held in Ahmedabad. India hosted the Games once before, in Delhi in 2010.
Why CLAT asks: The 2030 host city is a likely question.
Sources: The Bridge: Commonwealth Games 2026 final day report; Esquire India: India's medal tally at Glasgow, full list
Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026: India fourth with 85 medals
4 October 2026
The Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, ended on 4 October 2026 with India fourth, as in 2023, with 85 medals (21 gold, 27 silver, 37 bronze), fewer than its record 106 at Hangzhou. China topped the table for the 12th straight time, ahead of Japan and South Korea. India's men's hockey team retained its title, beating Malaysia 5-1, and the women's team beat China 1-0 for their first Asian Games gold since 1982.
Background. The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951. The 2030 edition will be in Doha, Qatar. Asian Games hockey gold carries direct qualification for the Olympics.
Why CLAT asks: Host cities (past, present and next) and India's medal count are standard.
Sources: Manorama Yearbook: India finishes fourth with 85 medals at Asian Games 2026 (5 October 2026); Khel Now: Final medal tally of Asian Games 2026
