7

Flag Code of India

There is universal affection and respect for, The colour of the top panel shall be
and loyalty to, the national flag. Yet, a percep- India saffron (kesari) and that of the
tible lack of awareness is often noticed, not bottom panel shall be India green.
only amongst people but also in the organ- The middle panel shall be white,
isations / agencies of the government, with bearing at its centre the design of
regard to laws, practices and conventions that Ashoka Chakra in navy blue colour
apply to the display of the national flag. Apart with 24 equally spaced spokes. The
from non-statutory instructions issued by the Ashoka Chakra shall preferably be
Government from time to time, the display screen printed or otherwise printed
of the national flag is governed by the provi- or stenciled or suitably embroidered
sions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of and shall be completely visible on
Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of both sides of the flag in the centre of
Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The Flag the white panel.
Code of India, 2002, is an attempt to bring 1.2 The national flag of India shall be
together all such laws, conventions, practices made of hand spun and hand woven
and instructions for the guidance and benefit wool/cotton/silk khadi bunting.
of all concerned. 1.3 The national flag shall be rectangular
For the sake of convenience, the Flag Code in shape. The ratio of the length to
of India, 2002, has been divided into three the height (width) of the flag shall
parts. Part I of the code contains a general be 3:2.
description of the national flag. Part II of the 1.4 The standard sizes of the national flag
code is devoted to the display of the national shall be as follows:
flag by members of public, private organisa- Flag Size No. Dimensions in mm
tions, educational institutions, etc. Part III of 1 6300 × 4200
the code relates to display of the national flag 2 3600 × 2400
by Central and state governments and their 3 2700 × 1800
organisations and agencies. 4 1800 × 1200
The Flag Code of India, 2002, took effect 5 1350 × 900
from January 26, 2002 and superseded the 6 900 × 600
“Flag Code-India” as it existed earlier. 7 450 × 300
8 225 × 150
PART I–GENERAL DESCRIPTION 9 150 × 100
OF THE NATIONAL FLAG 1.5 An appropriate size should be chosen
for display. The flags of 450 × 300 mm
1.1 The national flag shall be a tri-colour size are intended for aircrafts on VVIP
panel made up of three rectangular flights, 225 × 150 mm size for motor-
panels or sub-panels of equal widths. cars and 150 × 100 mm size for tables.
7.2  Indian Polity 

(vii) The flag shall not be used as a

 PART II–HOISTING/DISPLAY/
receptacle for receiving, deliv-
USE OF NATIONAL FLAG BY ering, holding or carrying
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC, PRIVATE anything:
ORGANISATIONS, EDUCATIONAL Except that there shall be no
INSTITUTIONS, ETC. objection to keeping flower
petals inside the flag before
Section I it is unfurled as part of cel-
2.1 There shall be no restriction on ebrations on special occa-
the display of the national flag by sions and on national days
members of general public, private like the Republic Day and the
organisations, educational institu- Independence Day;
tions, etc., except to the extent pro- (viii) When used on occasions like
vided in the Emblems and Names unveiling of a statue, the flag
(Prevention of Improper Use) Act, shall be displayed distinctly
1950 and the Prevention of Insults to and separately and it shall not
National Honour Act, 1971 and any be used as a covering for the
other law enacted on the subject. statue or monument
Keeping in view the provisions of the (ix) The flag shall not be used to
aforementioned Acts cover a speaker’s desk nor shall
(i) The flag shall not be used for it be draped over a speaker’s
commercial purposes in vio- platform
lation of the Emblems and (x) The flag shall not be intention-
Names (Prevention of Improper ally allowed to touch the ground
Use) Act, 1950 or the floor or trail in water
(ii) The flag shall not be dipped in (xi) The flag shall not be draped
salute to any person or thing over the hood, top, sides or
(iii) The flag shall not be flown at back of a vehicle, train, boat
half-mast except on occasions or an aircraft
on which the flag is flown (xii) The flag shall not be used as a
at half-mast on public build- covering for a building
ings in accordance with the (xiii) The flag shall not be intention-
instructions issued by the ally displayed with its saffron
Government portion downwards
(iv) The flag shall not be used 2.2 A member of public, a private organ-
as a drapery in any form isation or an educational institution
whatsoever, including private may hoist/display the national flag
funerals on all days and occasions, ceremo-
(v) The flag shall not be used nial or otherwise. Consistent with the
as a portion of costume or dignity and honour of the national
uniform of any description flag
nor shall it be embroidered (i) Whenever the national flag is
or printed upon cushions, displayed, it should occupy the
handkerchiefs, napkins or any position of honour and should
dress material be distinctly placed
(vi) Lettering of any kind shall not (ii) A damaged or dishevelled flag
be put upon the flag should not be displayed
   Flag Code of India  7.3

(iii) The flag should not be flown they should be disposed of in

from a single masthead simul- private consistent with the
taneously with any other flag dignity of the flag
or flags (xi) Where the flag is displayed in
(iv) The flag should not be flown on open, it should, as far as pos-
any vehicle except in accor- sible, be flown from sunrise to
dance with the provisions sunset, irrespective of weather
contained in Section IX of Part conditions
III of this code (xii) The flag should not be displayed
(v) When the flag is displayed on a or fastened in any manner as
speaker’s platform, it should may damage it
be flown on the speaker’s right (xiii) When the flag is in a damaged
as he faces the audience or flat or soiled condition, it shall
against the wall, above and be destroyed as a whole in
behind the speaker private, preferably by burn-
(vi) When the flag is displayed flat ing or by any other method
and horizontal on a wall, the consistent with the dignity of
saffron band should be upper the flag.
most and when displayed ver-
tically, the saffron band shall Section II
be on the right with reference
to the flag (i.e., left to the per- 2.3 The national flag may be hoisted
in educational institutions (schools,
son facing the flag) colleges, sports camps, scout camps,
(vii) To the extent possible, the flag etc.) to inspire respect for the flag. A
should conform to the specifi- model set of instructions for guidance
cations prescribed in Part I of is given here.
this code (i) The school will assemble in open
(viii) No other flag or bunting should square formation with pupils
be placed higher than or forming the three sides and the
above or side by side with the flag-staff at the centre of the
national flag; nor should any fourth side. The headmaster,
the pupil leader and the person
object including flowers or
unfurling the flag (if other than
garlands or emblem be placed the headmaster) will stand three
on or above the flag-mast from paces behind the flag-staff.
which the flag is flown (ii) The pupils will fall according
(ix) The flag should not be used as to classes and in squads of ten
a festoon, rosette or bunting (or other number according to
or in any other manner for strength). These squads will be
decoration arranged one behind the other.
(x) The flag made of paper may The pupil leader of the class will
stand to the right of the first row
be waved by public on occa-
of his class and the form master
sions of important national, will stand three paces behind
cultural and sports events. the last row of his class, towards
However, such paper flags the middle. The classes will be
should not be discarded or arranged along the square in the
thrown on the ground after order of seniority with the senior
the event. As far as possible, most class at the right end.
7.4  Indian Polity 

(iii) The distance between each row

 PART III–HOISTING/DISPLAY
should be at least one pace (30
inches) and the space between OF THE NATIONAL FLAG BY
form and form should be the THE CENTRAL AND STATE
same. GOVERNMENTS AND THEIR
(iv) When each form or class is
ORGANISATIONS AND AGENCIES
ready, the class leader will step
forward and salute the selected
school pupil leader. As soon Section I: Defence Installations/Heads
as all the forms are ready, the of Missions/Posts
school pupil leader will step
3.1 The provisions of this part shall not
up to the headmaster and
salute him. The headmaster apply to defence installations that
will return the salute. Then, have their own rule for display of
the flag will be unfurled. The the national flag.
school pupil leader may assist. 3.2 The national flag may also be flown
(v) The school pupil leader in on the headquarters and the resi-
charge of the parade (or dences of the heads of missions/
assembly) will call the parade posts abroad in the countries where
to attention, just before the it is customary for diplomatic and
unfurling, and he will call
consular representatives to fly their
them to the salute when the
flag flies out. The parade will national flags on the headquarters
keep at the salute for a brief and their official residences.
interval, and then on the com-
mand “order”, the parade will Section II: Official Display
come to the attention position.
(vi) The flag salutation will be fol- 3.3 Subject to the provisions contained
lowed by the national anthem. in Section I above, it shall be man-
The parade will be kept at the datory for all governments and
attention during this part of their organisations/agencies to
the function. follow the provisions contained in
(vii) On all occasions when the this part.
pledge is taken, the pledge will 3.4 On all occasions for official display,
follow the national anthem. only the flag conforming to specifi-
When taking the pledge the cations laid down by the Bureau of
assembly will stand to atten- Indian Standards and bearing their
tion and the headmaster will standard mark shall be used. On
administer the pledge ceremo- other occasions also, it is desirable
niously and the assembly will that only such flags as of appropriate
repeat it after him. size are flown.
(viii) In pledging allegiance to the
national flag, the practice to be Section III: Correct Display
adopted in schools is as follows:
Standing with folded hands, 3.5 Wherever the flag is flown, it should
all repeat together the follow- occupy the position of honour and
ing pledge: be distinctly placed.
“I pledge allegiance to the 3.6 Where the practice is to fly the flag
National Flag and to the on any public building, it shall be
Sovereign Socialist Secular flown on that building on all days
Democratic Republic for which including Sundays and holidays
it stands.” and, except as provided in this
   Flag Code of India  7.5

code, it shall be flown from sun-rise Section IV: Incorrect Display

to sun-set irrespective of weather
conditions. The flag may be flown 3.14 A damaged or disheveled flag shall
on such a building at night also but not be displayed.
this should be only on very special 3.15 The flag shall not be dipped in salute
occasions. to any person or thing.
3.7 The flag shall always be hoisted 3.16 No other flag or bunting shall be
briskly and lowered slowly and placed higher than or above or,
ceremoniously. When the hoist- except as hereinafter provided, side
ing and the lowering of the flag is by side with the national flag; nor
accompanied by appropriate bugle shall any object including flowers or
calls, the hoisting and lowering garlands or emblem be placed on or
should be simultaneous with the above the flag-mast from which the
bugle calls. flag is flown.
3.8 When the flag is displayed from a 3.17 The flag shall not be used as a fes-
staff projecting horizontally or at an toon, rosette or bunting or in any
angle from a windowsill, balcony, or other manner for decoration.
front of a building, the saffron band 3.18 The flag shall not be used to cover a
shall be at the farther end of the speaker’s desk nor shall it be draped
staff. over a speaker’s platform.
3.9 When the flag is displayed flat and 3.19 The flag shall not be displayed with
horizontal on a wall, the saffron the saffron portion downwards.
band shall be upper most and when 3.20 The flag shall not be allowed to touch
displayed vertically, the saffron band the ground or the floor or trail in
shall be to the right with reference water.
to the flag, i.e., it may be to the left 3.21 The flag shall not be displayed or
of a person facing it. fastened in any manner as may dam-
3.10 When the flag is displayed on a age it.
speaker’s platform, it shall be flown Section V: Misuse
on a staff on the speaker’s right as
he faces the audience or flat against 3.22 The flag shall not be used as a drap-
the wall above and behind the ery in any form whatsoever except in
speaker. State/military/Central para-military
3.11 When used on occasions like the forces funerals hereinafter provided.
unveiling of a statue, the flag 3.23 The flag shall not be draped over the
shall be displayed distinctly and hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle,
separately. train or boat.
3.12 When the flag is displayed alone on 3.24 The flag shall not be used or stored
a motor car, it shall be flown from a in such a manner as may damage or
staff, which should be affixed firmly soil it.
either on the middle front of the 3.25 When the flag is in a damaged or
bonnet or to the front right side of soiled condition, it shall not be cast
the car. aside or disrespectfully disposed of
3.13 When the flag is carried in a proces- but shall be destroyed as a whole in
sion or a parade, it shall be either private, preferably by burning or by
on the marching right, i.e., the flag’s any other method consistent with
own right, or if there is a line of the dignity of the flag.
other flags, in front of the centre of 3.26 The flag shall not be used as a cover-
the line. ing for a building.
7.6  Indian Polity 

3.27 The flag shall not be used as a por- of English versions of the names of
tion of a costume or uniform of any the countries concerned. It would be
description. It shall not be embroi- permissible in such a case to begin
dered or printed upon cushions, and also to end the row of flags with
handkerchiefs, napkins or boxes. the national flag and also to include
3.28 Lettering of any kind shall not be the national flag in the normal
put upon the flag. country-wise alphabetical order. The
3.29 The flag shall not be used in any national flag shall be hoisted first
form of advertisement nor shall an and lowered last.
advertising sign be fastened to the 3.34 In case flags are to be flown in an
pole from which the flag is flown. open circle, i.e., in an arc or a semi-
3.30 The flag shall not be used as a recep- circle, the same procedure shall be
tacle for receiving, delivering, hold- adopted as is indicated in the pre-
ing or carrying anything: ceding clause of this section. In case
Provided that there shall be no objec- flags are to be flown in a closed, i.e.,
tion to keeping flower petals inside complete circle, the national flag
the Flag before it is unfurled, as part of shall mark the beginning of the cir-
celebrations on special occasions and cle and the flags of other countries
on National Days like the Republic should proceed in a clockwise man-
Day and the Independence Day. ner until the last flag is placed next
to the national flag. It is not neces-
Section VI: Salute sary to use separate national flags to
mark the beginning and the end of
3.31 During the ceremony of hoisting or the circle of flags. The national flag
lowering the flag or when the flag is shall also be included in its alpha-
passing in a parade or in a review, betical order in such a closed circle.
all persons present should face the 3.35 When the national flag is displayed
flag and stand at attention. Those against a wall with another flag from
present in uniform should render crossed staffs, the national flag shall
the appropriate salute. When the flag be on the right, i.e., the flag’s own
is in a moving column, persons pres- right, and its staff shall be in front
ent will stand at attention or salute of the staff of the other flag.
as the flag passes them. A dignitary 3.36 When the United Nation’s flag is
may take the salute without a head flown along with the national flag,
dress. it can be displayed on either side
of the national flag. The general
Section VII : Display with Flags of other practice is to fly the national flag on
Nations and of United Nations the extreme right with reference to
3.32 When displayed in a straight line the direction which it is facing (i.e.,
with flags of other countries, the extreme left of an observer facing
national flag shall be on the extreme the masts flying the flags).
right, i.e., if an observer were to stand 3.37 When the national flag is flown
in the center of the row of the flags with flags of other countries, the
facing the audience, the national flag flag masts shall be of equal size.
should be to his extreme right. International usage forbids the dis-
3.33 Flags of foreign countries shall play of the flag of one nation above
proceed as from the national flag that of another nation in time of
in alphabetical order on the basis peace.
   Flag Code of India  7.7

3.38 The national flag shall not be flown of whether the dignitary is at head-
from a single mast-head simultane- quarters or not on the Republic
ously with any other flag or flags. Day, Independence Day, Mahatama
There shall be separate mast-heads Gandhi’s Birthday, National Week
for different flags. (6th to 13th April, in the memory
of martyrs of Jalianwala Bagh), any
other particular day of national
Section VIII: Display over Public rejoicing as may be specified by the
Buildings/Official Residences Government of India or, in the case
3.39 Normally the national flag should of a state, on the anniversary of for-
be flown only on important public mation of that state.
buildings such as high courts, sec- 3.42 When the President, the Vice-
retariats, commissioners’ offices, President or the Prime Minister vis-
collectorates, jails and offices of the its an institution, the national flag
district boards, municipalities and may be flown by the institution as a
zilla parishads and departmental/ mark of respect.
public sector undertakings. 3.43 On the occasions of the visit to
3.40 In frontier areas, the national flag India by foreign dignitaries, namely,
may be flown on the border customs President, Vice-President, Emperor/
posts, check posts, out posts and at King or Heir Prince and the Prime
other special places where flying Minister, the national flag may be
of the flag has special significance. flown along with the flag of the
In addition, it may be flown on the foreign country concerned in accor-
camp sites of border patrols. dance with the rules contained in
3.41 The national flag should be flown Section VII by such private institu-
on the official residences of the tions as are according reception to
President, Vice-President, governors the visiting foreign dignitaries and
and lieutenant governors when on such public buildings as the for-
they are at headquarters and on the eign dignitaries intend to visit on
building in which they stay during the day of visit to the institution.
their visits to places outside the
headquarters. The flag flown on the Section IX: Display on Motor Cars
official residence should, however, 3.44 The privilege of flying the national
be brought down as soon as the flag on motor cars is limited to the
dignitary leaves the headquarters (1) President
and it should be re-hoisted on that (2) Vice-President
building as he enters the main gate (3) G overnors and Lieutenant
of the building on return to the Gover­nors
headquarters. When the dignitary (4) H eads of Indian missions/
is on a visit to a place outside the posts abroad in the countries
headquarters, the flag should be to which they are accredited
hoisted on the building in which (5) Prime Minister and other Cabinet
he stays as he enters the main gate Ministers
of that building and it should be Ministers of State and Deputy
brought down as soon as he leaves Ministers of the Union
that place. However, the flag should  Chief Minister and other
be flown from sun-rise to sun-set on Cabinet Ministers of a State or
such official residences, irrespective Union Territory
7.8  Indian Polity 

Ministers of State and Deputy the Vice-President or the Prime

Ministers of a State or Union Minister on a visit to a foreign
Territory country. Alongside the national
(6) Speaker of the Lok Sabha flag, the flag of the country visited
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya should also be flown but, when the
Sabha aircraft lands in countries enroute,
Deputy Speaker of the Lok the national flags of the countries
Sabha touched would be flown instead, as
Chairmen of Legislative Councils a gesture of courtesy and goodwill.
in States 3.49 When the President goes on tour
Speakers of Legislative Assem­ within India, the national flag will
blies in States and Union be displayed on the side by which
Territories the President will embark the air-
Deputy Chairmen of Legislative craft or disembark from it.
Councils in States
Deputy Speakers of Legislative
Assemblies in States and Union Section XI: Half-masting
Territories
3.50 In the event of the death of the fol-
(7) Chief Justice of India
lowing dignitaries, the national flag
Judges of Supreme Court
shall be half-masted at the places
Chief Justice of High Courts
indicated against each on the day of
Judges of High Courts
the death of the dignitary.
3.45 The dignitaries mentioned in Clauses
(5) to (7) of Paragraph 3.44 may fly Dignitary Place or Places
the national flag on their cars, when- (1) (a) President
ever they consider it necessary or Throughout
(b) Vice-President
advisable. India
(c) Prime Minister
3.46 When a foreign dignitary travels in
a car provided by government, the (2) (a) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
national flag will be flown on the Delhi
(b) Chief Justice of India
right side of the car and the flag of
the foreign country will be flown on (3) Union Cabinet Delhi and
the left side of the car. Minister State Capitals
(4) Minister of State or Deputy
Section X: Display on Trains/Aircrafts Minister of the Union Delhi

3.47 When the President travels by spe- (5) (a) Governor

cial train within the country, the (b) Lt. Governor Throughout the
national flag should be flown from (c) Chief Minister State or Union
the driver’s cab on the side facing of a State     Territory
the platform of the station from (d) Chief Minister of a concerned
where the train departs. The flag    Union territory
should be flown only when the (6) Cabinet Minister Capital of the
special train is stationary or when in a State State concerned
coming into the station where it is
going to halt. 3.51 If the intimation of the death
3.48 The national flag will be flown on of any dignitary is received in
the aircraft carrying the President, the afternoon, the flag shall be
   Flag Code of India  7.9

half-masted on the following day head, allowing the streamers to fall

also at the place or places indi- naturally. The use of black crepe in
cated above, provided the funeral such a manner shall be only by an
has not taken place before sun-rise order of the Government.
on that day. 3.57 When flown at half-mast, the flag
3.52 On the day of the funeral of a digni- shall be hoisted to the peak for an
tary mentioned above, the flag shall instant, then lowered to the half-
be half-masted at the place where the mast position, but before lowering
funeral takes place. the flag for the day, it shall be raised
3.53 If State mourning is to be observed again to the peak.
on the death of any dignitary, the flag Note: By half-mast is meant hauling
shall be half-masted throughout the down the flag to one half the distance
period of the mourning throughout between the top and the guy-line and
India in the case of the Union dig- in the absence of the guy-line, half of
nitaries and throughout the state or the staff.
union territory concerned in the case 3.58 On occasions of State/military/
of a state or union territory dignitary. Central para-military forces’ funer-
3.54 Half-masting of the flag and, where als, the flag shall be draped over
necessary, observance of state the bier or coffin with the saffron
mourning on the death of foreign towards the head of the bier or
dignitaries will be governed by spe- coffin. The flag shall not be low-
cial instructions which will issue ered into the grave or burnt in the
from the ministry of Home Affairs pyre.
in individual cases. 3.59 In the event of death of either the
3.55 Notwithstanding the above provi- Head of the State or Head of the
sions, in the event of a half-mast Government of a foreign country,
day coinciding with the Republic the Indian mission accredited to
Day, Independence Day, Mahatma that country may fly the national
Gandhi’s Birthday, National Week flag at half-mast even if that event
(6th to 13th April, in the memory of falls on Republic Day, Independence
martyrs of Jalianwala Bagh), any Day, Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday,
other particular day of national National Week (6th to 13th April,
rejoicing as may be specified by the in the memory of martyrs of
Government of India or, in the case Jalianwala Bagh) or any other par-
of a state, on the anniversary of for- ticular day of national rejoicing as
mation of that state, the flags shall may be specified by the Government
not be flown at half-mast except of India. In the event of death of any
over the building where the body other dignitary of that country, the
of the deceased is lying until such national flag should not be flown
time it has been removed and that at half-mast by the missions except
flag shall be raised to the full-mast when the local practice or protocol
position after the body has been (which should be ascertained from
removed. the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
3.56 If mourning were to be observed in where necessary) require that the
a parade or procession where a flag national flag of a foreign mission in
is carried, two streamers of black that country should also be flown at
crepe shall be attached to the spear half-mast.