Who is the author and composer of Jana Gana Mana, the National Anthem of India that was later adopted in its present form by the Constituent Assembly?

Introduction / Context:
Every citizen of India is expected to know basic facts about the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. This includes its author and composer. The anthem was originally written in Bengali and later adopted by the Constituent Assembly in its Hindi version as the National Anthem. The question tests who wrote and composed this famous song, a frequently asked fact in general knowledge exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The focus is on Jana Gana Mana, the National Anthem of India. • The options list Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Muhammad Iqbal and Ram Singh Thakur. • We assume awareness that different national songs and patriotic compositions have different authors.

Concept / Approach:
Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Prize winning poet from Bengal, wrote and composed Jana Gana Mana. The song was first sung in 1911 at the Indian National Congress session. It was later adopted as the National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote Vande Mataram, which is the National Song, not the National Anthem. Muhammad Iqbal wrote Sare Jahan Se Achha. Ram Singh Thakur composed the tune of the famous martial song Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa. Therefore, Rabindranath Tagore is the correct author and composer of Jana Gana Mana.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that Jana Gana Mana is associated with Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote it in Bengali as a patriotic hymn. 2. Remember that the Constituent Assembly adopted Jana Gana Mana as the National Anthem in 1950. 3. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, another famous Bengali writer, composed Vande Mataram, which is recognised as the National Song but not as the Anthem. 4. Muhammad Iqbal wrote Sare Jahan Se Achha, another iconic patriotic song about India. 5. Ram Singh Thakur is associated with the tune of Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa, not with Jana Gana Mana. 6. Only Rabindranath Tagore matches the requirement of being both author and composer of the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official government publications and school textbooks clearly state that Jana Gana Mana was written and set to music by Rabindranath Tagore. They also list the adoption date by the Constituent Assembly. The same sources credit Bankim Chandra Chatterjee with Vande Mataram and Muhammad Iqbal with Sare Jahan Se Achha. These consistent attributions confirm that Rabindranath Tagore is the correct answer for the National Anthem.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee: Author of Vande Mataram, which is a different patriotic song recognised as the National Song of India. Muhammad Iqbal: Poet of Sare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara, another famous patriotic song but not the National Anthem. Ram Singh Thakur: Known for composing music for Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa, not for Jana Gana Mana.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent source of confusion is mixing up the National Anthem with the National Song. Some candidates mistakenly choose Bankim Chandra Chatterjee because Vande Mataram is also widely sung and honoured. To avoid this, it is helpful to firmly associate Jana Gana Mana with Rabindranath Tagore and Vande Mataram with Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in memory lists.

Final Answer:
The author and composer of Jana Gana Mana, the National Anthem of India, is Rabindranath Tagore.