Facts and Code of Conduct of the Indian National Flag

Facts at a Glance

1. The National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion.

• The top saffron indicates the strength and courage of the country.
• The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra.
• The green shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.
• The design of the wheel appears like the wheel on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter is approximate to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes.

2. The ratio of the width of the Flag to its length is 2:3.

3. The National Flag of India was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22nd July 1947, when it became the official flag of the Dominion of India.

4. The National Flag of India, by law, is to be made of khadi, a special type of hand-spun cloth of cotton or silk.

5. Supreme Court declared the right to hoist Flag as the fundamental right under Article 19 (i) (a) of the Constitution in 2002.

6. The Flag was designed by the Pingali Venkayya, an agriculturist and Indian freedom fighter.

7. The Flag was hoisted first time by Sachindra Prasad Bose in 1906 in Calcutta and later in 1907, as another Tricolour flag was unfurled by the Madam Bhikaji Kama in Stuttgart.

8. The first Flag Committee was headed by Dr Rajendra Prasad.

The right to manufacture the National Flag of India is held by the Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission, which in turn allocates it to the regional groups.

Code of Conduct for the National Flag

Being a National symbol, it is respected by every Indian. There are certain do’s and dont’s laid down for common people regarding the Indian flag.

1. When the National Flag is raised, the saffron band should be at the top.

2. No flag or emblem should be placed either above the National Flag or to its right.

3. All other flags to be placed to the left of the National Flag if they are hung in a line.

4. When the National Flag is carried out in a procession or parade, it shall be on the marching right or in front of the center of the line, if there is a line of other flags.

5. Normally the National Flag should be flown over important Government buildings such as the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Parliament House, the Supreme Court of India, the High Courts, the Secretariats, the Commissioners’ offices, etc.

6. The National Flag or any imitation of it must not be used for the purpose of trade, business, or profession.

7. The National Flag should always be taken down in the evening at sunset.

The Code mandates that the Tricolour always be distinctly placed and occupy the position of honour. It should always be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.

Respect the National Flag of India Campaign of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

The National Flag is a symbol of the Nation’s respect and pride. Our Flag is used mainly on Independence Day and Republic day. There is a trend of selling Flags made of paper and plastic, which is incorrect. With a sense of national pride, people enthusiastically buy such Flags – but the very next day, we find these Flags being trampled upon on the roads, in dustbins and elsewhere.

By allowing this to happen, people forget that they are insulting the Flag. Often, these Flags are burnt along with garbage. It is the duty of every individual to accord proper respect  to our National Flag.