Flag Code of India, 2002

By: Diana A Christian

Roll no: 5
Submitted to: Prof. Manoj
Hurkat
Our National Symbols

• State Emblem

• National Anthem
Jana-gana-mana

• National Animal - Tiger

• National Bird –
Peacock
national_bird.jpg

• National Flower-
Lotus
Our National Symbols….. Continued

• National Tree- Banyan

• Currency Symbol

• River National - Ganga

• National Fruit - Mango

Our National Symbols….. Continued

• National Aquatic Animal-

River Dolphin

• National Game – Hockey

• National Calendar - Saka Era,

with Chaitra

• National Song - Vande Mataram

Insights about our Flag

• The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people
of India
•  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
• Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed
• Not only amongst people but also in the organizations/ agencies of the
Government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to the
display of the National Flag
• ‘Flag Code-India’ is neither a statute nor a statutory rule or regulation
• It is a mere consolidation of executive instructions issued by the
Government of India from time to time and contains detailed instruction in
regard to the shape, size and color of the National Flag, the correct display,
instances of misuse and 
Insights about our Flag….. Continued

• 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 – contains general description of the National Flag
Part II - devoted to the display of the National Flag by members of public,
private organizations and educational institutions
Part III - relates to display of the National Flag by Central and State
governments and their organizations and agencies
 Flag Code of India, 2002 has taken effect from January 26, 2002 by
superseding the ‘Flag Code – India’ as it existed
 Contents of the Code…
Part - I GENERAL

• 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
• The National Flag of India shall be made of hand spun and hand woven
wool/cotton/silk khadi bunting
• The National Flag shall be rectangular in shape, the ratio of the length to the
height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2
Continued…

• 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 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.
 PART II - HOISTING/DISPLAY/USE OF NATIONAL FLAG BY
MEMBERS OF PUBLIC, PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS,
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ETC

• There shall be no restriction on the display of the National Flag by members

of general public, private organizations, educational institution
(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 Flag shall not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever, including
private funerals
• 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
• lettering of any kind shall not be put upon the Flag
Continued…
• 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
• 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
• the Flag shall not be used to cover a speaker’s desk nor shall it be draped
over a speaker’s platform
• the Flag shall not be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or
trail in water
• the Flag shall not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle,
train, boat or an aircraft
• the Flag shall not be used as a covering for a building
• the Flag shall not be intentionally displayed with the “saffron” down
Continued…
• 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 honors and should be distinctly placed;
(ii) a damaged or disheveled 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 speaker’s platform, it should be
flown on the speaker’s 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;
Continued…
(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;
(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.
Continued…
• 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 leader and the person unfurling the Flag (if other
than the Headmaster) will stand three paces behind the Flag-staff.
(ii) The pupils will fall according to classes and in squads of ten (or other
number according to strength). These squads will be arranged one behind
the other. The pupil leader of the class will stand to the right of the first row
of his class and the form master will stand three paces behind the last row
of his class, towards the middle. The classes will be arranged along the
square in the order of seniority with the senior most class at the right end.
(iii) The distance between each row should be at least one pace (30 inches);
and the space between Form and Form should be the same.
(iv) When each Form or Class is ready, the Class leader will step forward and
salute the selected school pupil leader. As soon as all the Forms are ready,
the school pupil leader will step up to the Headmaster and salute him. The
Headmaster will return the salute. Then, the Flag will be unfurled. The
School pupil leader may assist.
Continued…

(v) The School pupil leader in charge of the parade (or assembly) will call the
parade to attention, just before the unfurling, and he will call them to the
salute when the Flag flies out. The parade will keep at the salute for a brief
interval, and then on the command “order”, the parade will come to the
attention position.

(vi) The Flag Salutation will be followed by the National Anthem. The parade
will be kept at the attention during this part of the function.

(vii) On all occasions when the pledge is taken, the pledge will follow the
National Anthem. When taking the pledge the Assembly will stand to
attention and the Headmaster will administer the pledge ceremoniously and
the Assembly will repeat it after him.

(viii) In pledging allegiance to the National Flag, the practice to be adopted in

Schools is as follows:— Standing with folded hands, all repeat together
the following pledge:
“I pledge allegiance to the National Flag and to the Sovereign Socialist
Secular Democratic Republic for which it stands.”
 PART III
HOISTING/DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL FLAG BY THE CENTRAL
AND STATE
GOVERNMENTS AND THEIR ORGANISATIONS AND AGENCIES

Section I
Defense Installations/Heads of Missions/Posts
• The provisions of this Part shall not apply to Defense Installations that have
their own rule for display of the National Flag.
• The National Flag may also be flown on the Headquarters and the
residences of the Heads of Missions/Posts abroad in the countries where it
is customary for diplomatic and consular representatives to fly their National
Flags on the Headquarters and their official residences

Section II
Official Display
• it shall be mandatory for all Governments and their organizations/agencies
to follow the provisions contained in this Part.
• On all occasions for official display, only the Flag conforming to
specifications laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards and bearing their
standard mark shall be used. On other occasions also, it is desirable that
only such Flags of appropriate size are flown.
Continued…
Section III
Correct Display
• Wherever the Flag is flown, it should occupy the position of honour and be
distinctly placed.
• Where the practice is to fly the Flag on any public building, it shall be flown
on that building on all days including Sundays and holidays and, except as
provided in this Code, it shall be flown from sun-rise to sun-set irrespective
of weather conditions. The Flag may be flown on such a building at night
also but this should be only on very special occasions.
• The Flag shall always be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly and
ceremoniously. When the hoisting and the lowering of the Flag is
accompanied by appropriate bugle calls, the hoisting and lowering should
be simultaneous with the bugle calls.
• When the Flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle
from a windowsill, balcony, or front of a building, the saffron band shall be at
the farther end of the staff
Continued…

• When the Flag is displayed flat and horizontal on a wall, the saffron band
shall be upper most and when displayed vertically, the saffron band shall be
to the right with reference to the Flag, i.e., it may be to the left of a person
facing it.
• When used on occasions like the unveiling of a statue, the Flag shall be
displayed distinctly and separately.
• When the Flag is displayed alone on a motor car, it shall be flown from a
staff, which should be affixed firmly either on the middle front of the bonnet
or to the front right side of the car.
• When the Flag is carried in a procession or a parade, it shall be either on
the marching right, i.e. the Flag’s own right, or if there is a line of other flags,
in front of the centre of the line.
Continued…
Section IV
Incorrect Display

• A damaged or disheveled Flag shall not be displayed.

• The Flag shall not be dipped in salute to any person or thing.
• No other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or, except as
hereinafter provided, side by side with the National Flag; nor shall any
object including flowers or garlands or emblem be placed on or above the
Flag-mast from which the Flag is flown.
• The Flag shall not be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting or in any other
manner for decoration.
• The Flag shall not be used to cover a speaker’s desk nor shall it be draped
over a speaker’s platform.
• The Flag shall not be displayed with the “saffron” down.
• The Flag shall not be allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in
water.
• The Flag shall not be displayed or fastened in any manner as may damage
it.
Continued…
Section V
Misuse
• The Flag shall not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever except in
State/Military/Central Para military Forces funerals hereinafter provided.
• The Flag shall not be used or stored in such a manner as may damage or
soil it.
• When the Flag is in a damaged or soiled condition, it shall not be cast aside
or disrespectfully disposed of but shall be destroyed as a whole in private,
preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of
the Flag.
Continued…
Section VI
Salute
• During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the Flag or when the Flag is
passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present should face the Flag
and stand at attention. Those present in uniform should render the
appropriate salute. When the Flag is in a moving column, persons present
will stand at attention or salute as the Flag passes them. A dignitary may
take the salute without a head dress.
Continued…
Section XI
Half-masting
• In the event of the death of the following dignitaries, the National Flag shall be half-
masted at the places indicated against each on the day of the death of the dignitary:
—

Dignitary Place or places

President Throughout India
Vice-President Throughout India
Prime Minister Throughout India
Speaker of the Lok Sabha Delhi
Chief Justice of India Delhi
Union Cabinet Minister Delhi and State Capitals
Minister of State or
Deputy Minister of the Union Delhi
Governor Throughout the State or Union
Lt. Governor Throughout the State or Union
Chief Minister of a State Throughout the State or Union
Chief Minister of a Union territory Throughout the State or Union
territory concerned
Cabinet Minister in a State Capital of the State concerned
Some Incidents…
• A person was prevented by the officials of Madhya Pradesh government
from flying the National Flag at his factory premises as Flag Code – India
did not permit it on private buildings by individuals except on special
occasions. The person moved the Delhi High Court challenging the legality
of restrictions contained in the Flag Code – India relating to flying of the
National Flag by private citizens and seeking a writ restraining the Union of
India and the Madhya Pradesh government from interfering with his right to
fly the National Flag on his premises in a respectful manner.

• In Its judgement, the Delhi High Court held that the right to fly the National
Flag is a fundamental right within the meaning of Article 19(1) (a) of the
Constitution and reasonable restrictions can be imposed by law
• On an SLP filed by the Union of India in the Supreme Court, the judgment of
the Delhi High Court was stayed. The SLP filed by the Union of India came
up for hearing on 1.8.2000. The Court was prima facie of the view that there
should not be any restriction on the citizens on expressing their patriotism
by displaying the National Flag.
Continued…
• Case against Indian cricket team for 'disrespecting' tricolour 4 Oct 2007
A local lawyer has filed a criminal complaint against the Indian cricket team
for "disrespecting" the Indian national flag after winning the Twenty20 World
Cup in South Africa."The complaint was filed before the Chief Judicial
Magistrate, Varinder Aggarwal under the Flag Act 1871 for violating the flag
code of India," complainant Arvind Sharda said.

• Bhagyavathi, the headmistress of government composite high school,

Vinayakanagar, was suspended for violating the flag code of India 2002, on
Monday. As per the code the flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset,
irrespective of weather conditions. Whereas, the national flag which was
hoisted at the school during Independence Day celebrations on Saturday,
was not removed from the flagstaff till Monday. It is a violation of the code.
Punishments…
• THE PREVENTION OF INSULTS TO NATIONAL HONOUR ACT,
1971
• 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.
• It is a criminal offence, hence the case will be registered with the High Court
of the State or directly in the Supreme Court.
• The violation of the National Flag is the subject of Public Interest.
 JAI HIND

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