Prelims 2003 · archive
MediumWhich one of the following statements is NOT correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) The National Song Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chatterji originally in Bengali
Options (b), (c) and (d) match the official facts on the National Calendar, the National Flag and the National Anthem. The Government of India's official description of the National Song says Vande Mataram was composed in Sanskrit, not 'originally in Bengali'. So (a) is the statement that is not correct.
- ✓ (a) This is the NOT-correct statement. Bankimchandra Chatterji is rightly named as the author. But the official description says the song was composed in Sanskrit. It appeared in his Bengali novel Anandamath, but calling the song 'originally in Bengali' departs from the official description.
- ✗ (b) This statement is correct, so it is not the answer. In the National Calendar, Chaitra 1 falls on 22 March in a normal year and on 21 March in a leap year. The extra day of a leap year is added to Chaitra.
- ✗ (c) This statement is correct. The Constituent Assembly adopted the design of the National Flag on 22 July 1947.
- ✗ (d) This statement is correct and repeats the official wording almost word for word. Jana-gana-mana was composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore. The Constituent Assembly adopted its Hindi version as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950.
Remember · Jana-gana-mana: originally Bengali, Hindi version adopted 24 Jan 1950. Vande Mataram: officially described as composed in Sanskrit. Flag design adopted 22 July 1947. National Calendar: 1 Chaitra = 22 March (21 March in a leap year).
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 8 Curiosity, Ch 11 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- Embassy of India, Ashgabat (MEA) – Info on India: National Song ↗ “The song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom. … The song Jana-gana-mana, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on 24th January 1950. … The design of the national flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22nd July 1947.”
- India Meteorological Department – Indian National Calendar (table of month beginnings) ↗ “Chaitra 22 March 21 March (In case of leap year)”
- NCERT Class 8 · Curiosity, Chapter 11 “The leap years are matched to the Gregorian calendar by adding a day to Chaitra, the first month of the year. In such years, the new year begins on 21 March of the Gregorian calendar.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2003, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·