Flag code of India

The Flag Code of India is a set of guidelines and rules governing the display and use of the national flag of India. It was last amended in 2002 after the launch of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. Read here to learn the important features of the flag code.

It was first adopted in 1950, shortly after India gained independence, and has been amended several times since then to reflect changes in protocol and evolving practices.

It was amended in 2002 to allow for the national flag to be flown even at night. Earlier, the tricolour could be hoisted only between sunrise and sunset.

The Flag Code of India upholds the dignity and honour of the national flag.

History of the Indian National Flag

The flag of India, known as the “Tiranga” in Hindi, has a rich history that dates back to the struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

Before the adoption of the current Indian flag, various flags and symbols were used to represent India during the struggle for independence. These included flags with the charkha (spinning wheel) and various colours.

Indians didn’t truly feel the necessity for a flag until the announcement of Bengal’s division. The leaders designated that day as a day of national mourning.

• On the anniversary of the anti-partition campaign a year later, a flag was raised. Sachindra Prasad Bose created it. The flag was forgotten by most people once the split was reversed.
• While in Germany for the 2nd International Socialist Congress, Madam Bhikaji Rustom Cama spoke and waved the flag on the political conflict with the British. Hem Chandra Das was the maker of it.
• Years later, in 1917, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mrs. Annie Besant also created a flag for the Home Rule Movement.
• In 1921, Gandhi asked Pingali Venkayya to design a national flag, for Freedom Movement.

Birth of the Tricolor:

The current design of the Indian flag, featuring three horizontal stripes of saffron, white, and green, with a blue Ashoka Chakra (wheel) in the center, was conceptualized by Pingali Venkayya, an Indian freedom fighter and scholar.

He presented his design to Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 during the All-India Congress Committee meeting.

The Indian National Congress officially adopted the tricolor flag on July 22, 1947, just before India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947.

Flag code of India

For convenience, the flag code of India is divided into three parts:

• Part I: a general description of the flag
• Part II: display of flag by members of public, and private organizations, educational institutions, etc.
• Part III: the display of the national flag by central and state governments and their organizations and agencies.

General description of the flag

The National Flag shall be a tri-colour panel made up of three rectangular panels or sub-panels of equal widths. The colour of the top panel shall be India saffron (Kesari) and that of the bottom panel shall be India green.

• The middle panel shall be white, bearing at its centre the design of Ashoka Chakra in navy blue colour with 24 equally spaced spokes.
• The Ashoka Chakra shall preferably be screen printed or otherwise printed or stencilled or suitably embroidered. It shall be completely visible on both sides of the Flag in the centre of the white panel.
• The National Flags made of hand-spun, hand-woven, or machine-made cotton, polyester, wool, silk, and khadi bunting, can also be used. (Amendment 2021)
• The National Flag shall be rectangular. The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.

The standard sizes of the National Flag shall be as follows:

Flag Size No.	Dimensions in mm
1	6300 X 4200
2	3600 X 2400
3	2700 X 1800
4	1800 X 1200
5	1350 X 900
6	900 X 600
7	450 X 300
8	225 X 150
9	150 X 100

An appropriate size should be chosen for display. The flags of 450X300 mm size are intended for aircraft on VVIP flights, 225X150 mm size for motor-cars, and 150X100 mm size for table flags.

Display of the National Flag:

• The national flag of India should always be displayed in a dignified manner.
• It should never touch the ground or water or be draped over vehicles, furniture, or public monuments.
• The flag should not be used for decorative purposes or as a part of a costume except in specific cultural and artistic contexts.

Hoisting the Flag:

• The national flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly with respect and ceremony.
• When the flag is hoisted or lowered, all present should stand at attention. Those in uniform should salute.
• The National Flag can be flown both during the day and at night if it is displayed in the open or in the house of a public member. (Amendment 2022)

Half-Masting:

• The flag should be flown at half-mast on specific occasions, such as to mourn the death of a dignitary or during a national mourning period. The decision to half-mast the flag is made by the Government of India.

Prohibitions:

• The flag should not be defaced, damaged, or altered in any way.
• It should not be used for commercial or advertising purposes.
• The flag should not be used as a drapery in any form except during state funerals.
• The flag should not be displayed with the saffron band down.

Private Use:

• Citizens are encouraged to display the national flag on their homes, vehicles, and other personal belongings on national holidays and other appropriate occasions.

Flying of Other Flags:

• The national flag should always be given precedence over any other flag, whether within India or when flown alongside the flag of another country.

Use of the Flag by Private Organizations:

• Private organizations, educational institutions, and others may use the national flag for specific ceremonial or educational purposes, but they must adhere to the guidelines laid out in the Flag Code.

Provisions related to the national flag

Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: This act was enacted to prevent the improper use of the national flag and other national symbols, as well as to prevent any acts that disrespect or insult the national flag. It criminalizes actions such as burning, mutilating, or defacing the flag, among others.

The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950: It restricts the use of the national flag, the coat-of-arms used by a government department, the official seal of the President or Governor, the pictorial representation of Mahatma Gandhi and the Prime Minister, and the Ashoka Chakra.

According to Article 51A (a), it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.

Amendments to the Flag Code of India

• In 2021, the Centre amended the Flag Code of India, 2002 to allow the manufacture and use of machine-made and polyester National Flags. These were not allowed earlier under the Code.
• As per the amended flag code, National Flags can also be used for hand-spun, hand-woven, or machine-made cotton, polyester, wool, silk, and khadi bunting.
• In another amendment brought in 2022, the Centre allowed the National Flag to be flown both during the day as well as at night if it is displayed in the open or on the house of a member of the public. Under earlier rules, the Tricolour could only be hoisted between sunrise and sunset.

Conclusion

The Flag Code of India is a set of principles emphasizing the dignity and respect that should be accorded to the national flag. It is intended to promote a sense of pride and reverence for the flag among the citizens of India. Violations of the Flag Code are subject to penalties under the Indian law.

Previous year question

Q. Consider the following statements concerning the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002: (Prelims 2023)

Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm x 400 mm.

Statement II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect

(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

-Article by Swathi Satish