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Flag Code of India
The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It is
the symbol of our national pride. Over the last five decades, several people including
members of armed forces have ungrudgingly laid down their lives to keep the tricolour flying
in its full glory.
The significance of the colours and the chakra in the National Flag was amply described
by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the Constituent Assembly which unanimously adopted the
National Flag. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan explainedBhagwa or the saffron colour denotes
renunciation of disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and
dedicate themselves to their work. The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide
our conduct. The green shows our relation to soil, our relation to the plant life here on which
all other life depends. The Ashoka Wheel in the center of the white is the wheel of the law of
dharma. Truth or satya, dharma or virtue ought to be the controlling principles of those who
work under this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion. There is death in stagnation. There is
life in movement. India should no more resist change, it must move and go forward. The
wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change.
There is universal affection and respect for, and loyalty to, the National Flag. Yet, a
perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed, not only amongst people but also in the
organisations/agencies of the government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that
apply to the display of the National Flag. Apart from non-statutory instructions issued by the
Government from time to time, display of the National Flag is governed by the provisions of
the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (No. 12 of 1950) and the
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (No. 69 of 1971). Flag Code of India,
2002 is an attempt to bring together all such laws, conventions, practices and instructions for
the guidance and benefit of all concerned.
For the sake of convenience, Flag Code of India, 2002, has been divided into three parts.
Part I of the Code contains general description of the National Flag. Part II of the Code is
devoted to the display of the National Flag by members of public, private organizations,
educational institutions, etc. Part III of the Code relates to display of the National Flag by
Central and State governments and their organisations and agencies.
Flag Code of India, 2002, takes effect from January 26, 2002 and supersedes the Flag
Code-India as it existed.
P ART I
GENERAL
1.1 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 stenciled or suitably
embroidered and shall be completely visible on both sides of the Flag in the centre of the
white panel.
1.2 The National Flag of India shall be made of hand spun and hand woven
wool/cotton/silk khadi bunting.
1.3 The National Flag shall be rectangular in shape. The ratio of the length to the height
(width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
1.4 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
1.5 An appropriate size should be chosen for display. The flags of 450 x 300 mm size are
intended for aircrafts on VVIP flights, 225 x 150 mm size for motor-cars and 150 x 100 mm
size for table flags.
P ART II
HOISTING/DISPLAY/USE OF NATIONAL FLAG BY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC, PRIVATE
ORGANISATIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ETC.
Section I
2.1 There shall be no restriction on the display of the National Flag by members of
general public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc., except to the extent
provided in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950
*
and the
Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
**
and any other law enacted on the
subject. Keeping in view the provisions of the aforementioned Acts
(i) the Flag shall not be used for commercial purposes in violation of the Emblem and
Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950;
(ii) the Flag shall not be dipped in salute to any person or thing;
(iii) the Flag shall not be flown at half-mast except on occasions on which the Flag is
flown at half-mast on public buildings in accordance with the instructions issued by
the Government;

* The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950:
Section 2: In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) emblem means any emblem, seal, flag, insignia, coat-of-arms or pictorial representation
specified in the Schedule.
Section 3: Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no person
shall, except in such cases and under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government,
use, or continue to use, for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession, or in the title of any
patent, or in any trade mark of design, any name or emblem specified in the Schedule or any colourable
imitation thereof without the previous permission of the Central Government or of such officer of
Government as may be authorised in this behalf by the Central Government.
Note.The Indian National Flag has been specified as an emblem in the Schedule to the Act.
** The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (amended by the Prevention of Insults to
National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2003):
Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces,
defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt
(whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag. or any part
thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or
with both.
Explanation 1.Comments expressing disapprobation or criticism of the Indian National
Flag or an alteration of the Indian National Flag by lawful means do not constitute an offence under this
section.
Explanation 2.The expression, Indian National Flag includes any picture, painting, drawing or
photograph, or other visible representation of the Indian National Flag, or of any part or parts thereof,
made of any substance or represented on any substance.
Explanation 3.The expression Public place means any place intended for use by, or accessible
to, the public and includes any public conveyance.
Explanation 4.The disrespect to the Indian National Flag means and includes-
(a) a gross affront or indignity offered to the Indian National Flag; or
(b) dipping the Indian National Flag in salute to any person or thing; or
(c) flying the Indian National Flag at half-mast except on occasions on which the Flag is flown
at half-mast on public buildings in accordance with the instructions issued by the
Government; or
(d) using the Indian National Flag as a drapery in any form whatsoever except in state funerals
or armed forces or other para-military forces funerals; or
(e) using the Indian National Flag as a portion of costume or uniform of any description or
embroidering or printing it on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins or any dress material; or
(f) putting any kind of inscription upon the Indian National Flag; or
(g) using the Indian National Flag as a receptacle for receiving, delivering or carrying anything
except flower petals before the Indian National Flag is unfurled as part of celebrations on
special occasions including the Republic Day or the Independences Day; or
(h) using the Indian National Flag as covering for a statue or a monument or a speakers desk or
a speakers platform; or
(i) allowing the Indian National Flag to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water
intentionally; or
(j) draping the Indian National Flag over the hood, top, and sides or back or on a vehicle, train,
boat or an aircraft or any other similar object; or
(k) using the Indian National Flag as a covering for a building; or
(l) intentionally displaying the Indian National Flag with the saffron down.
3-A. Minimum penalty on second or subsequent offence.Whoever having already been convicted
of an offence under Section 2. is again convicted of any such offence shall be punishable for the
second and for every subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term, which shall not be less than one
year.

(iv) the Flag shall not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever, including private
funerals;
(v) the Flag shall not be used as a portion of costume or uniform of any description nor
shall it be embroidered or printed upon cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins or any
dress material;
(vi) lettering of any kind shall not be put upon the Flag;
(vii) the Flag shall not be used as a receptacle for receiving, delivering, holding or
carrying anything:
Provided that there shall be no objection to keeping flower petals inside the Flag
before it is unfurled as part of celebrations on special occasions and on National
Days like the Republic Day and the Independence Day;
(viii) when used on occasions like unveiling of a statue, the Flag shall be displayed
distinctly and separately and it shall not be used as a covering for the statue or
monument;
(ix) the Flag shall not be used to cover a speakers desk nor shall it be draped over a
speakers platform;
(x) the Flag shall not be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail
in water;
(xi) the Flag shall not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, train,
boat or an aircraft;
(xii) the Flag shall not be used as a covering for a building; and
(xiii) the Flag shall not be intentionally displayed with the saffron down.
2.2 A member of public, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist/
display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise. Consistent with
the dignity and honour of the National Flag
(i) whenever the National Flag is displayed, it should occupy the position of honour
and should be distinctly placed;
(ii) a damaged or dishevelled Flag should not be displayed;
(iii) the Flag should not be flown from a single masthead simultaneously with any other
flag or flags;
(iv) the Flag should not be flown on any vehicle except in accordance with the
provisions contained in Section IX of Part III of this Code;
(v) when the Flag is displayed on a speakers platform, it should be flown on the
speakers right as he faces the audience or flat against the wall, above and behind
the speaker;
(vi) when the Flag is displayed flat and horizontal on a wall, the saffron band should be
upper most and when displayed vertically, the saffron band shall be on the right
with reference to the Flag (i.e. left to the person facing the Flag);
(vii) to the extent possible, the Flag should conform to the specifications prescribed in
Part I of this Code;
(viii) no other flag or bunting should be placed higher than or above or side by side with
the National Flag; nor should any object including flowers or garlands or emblem
be placed on or above the Flag-mast from which the Flag is flown;
(ix) the Flag should not be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting or in any other manner
for decoration;
(x) the Flag made of paper may be waved by public on occasions of important
national, cultural and sports events. However, such paper Flags should not be
discarded or thrown on the ground after the event. As far as possible, it should be
disposed of in private consistent with the dignity of the Flag;
(xi) where the Flag is displayed in open, it should, as far as possible, be flown from
sunrise to sunset, irrespective of weather conditions;
(xii) the Flag should not be displayed or fastened in any manner as may damage it; and
(xiii) when the Flag is in a damaged or soiled condition, it shall be destroyed as a whole
in private, preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity
of the Flag.
Section II
2.3 The National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports
camps, scout camps, etc.) to inspire respect for the Flag. A model set of instructions for
guidance is given below
(i) The School will assemble in open square formation with pupils forming the three
sides and the Flag-staff at the centre of the fourth side. The Headmaster, the pupil
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