National Flag of India

National Flag of India

The National flag of India is rectangular in shape and consists of three colors – saffron, white and green. The present form of the flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July, 1947 - 24 days prior to the formal declaration of Independence. 

It was designed by Shri Pingali Venkayya and had the saffron, white and green stripes with the spinning wheel placed in the white section. It was hoisted on April 13, 1923 in Nagpur during an event commemorating the Jallianwallah Bagh Massacre.

It was named the Swaraj Flag and became the symbol of India’s demand for Self-rule led by the Indian National Congress.

The resolution to adopt the tricolor as the National Flag of India was passed in 1931. On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Swaraj Flag as the National Flag of Sovereign India with the Ashok Chakra replacing the spinning wheel.

Design

The rectangular tricolor flag consists of three equal horizontal segments, with saffron on top, white in the middle and green at the bottom. At the center of the white stripe is a depiction of Ashok Chakra in navy blue. 

It is round hollow wheel and has 24 spokes radiating from the center. 

The dimension of the flag should be of 2:3 ratio, i.e. the length should be 1.5 times the breadth. The flag is to be made from Khadi, hand-woven cotton or silk, following the manufacturing protocols laid out by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

The Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission hold the right to manufacture the Indian National flag and as of 2009.

The responsibility lies with the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS) is a manufacturing federation located in the Bengeri area of the city of Hubli in the Karnataka, state of India and It is the only unit in India that is authorized to manufacture and supply the Flag of India. 

Protocols for Displaying the Indian National Flag

The Flag Code India (2002), Prevention of Improper Use of Emblems and Names Act (1950), and the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act (1971) govern the display, representation and handling of the Indian National Flag.

The Do’s and Don’ts of handling the Indian National Flag are as follows:

• The national flag should be displayed upright with the Saffron strip facing the top in horizontal representations and left in the vertical representations. The flag should never be displayed upside down.
• The Flag should be displayed on the right as this is the position of authority when indoor.
• When carried in a procession the National Flag should be borne by marching right or otherwise by a lone marcher in the center. 
• The flag cannot be used as drapery or clothing.
• The flag should be hoisted down prior to sunset and erected again after sunrise. 
• The flag pole for National Flag should be placed at the highest point of the building. 
• Private institutions may display the national flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise, consistent with the dignity and honor of the National Flag.
• Post amendment of the Flag Code in 2002, Individual citizens may also hoist/display the Indian National Flag in their premises
• The flag may be flown half-mast as a sign of mourning the decision of which lies with the President of India. 
• The National Flag of India must be displayed on Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), State formation Anniversaries and National Week. 
• On the occasion of armed forces personnel funerals the National flag should be draped over the coffin, with the saffron towards the head. However, the National Flag should never be lowered into the grave or burnt in the pyre.
• Soiled National Flag may be disposed as a whole in private preserving the dignity of the same and should not be done disrespectfully.

Significance of the National Flag

The National Flag of India represents the concept of secularism that the country was built upon. The austerity of the rectangular tricolor underlines the rich spiritual and philosophical history of India.

The basis of the flag is the Swaraj Flag, adopted by the Indian National Congress during the Indian Freedom Struggle movement under Gandhi and is reminiscent of the same.

Key Notes

Title: Tricolour / Tiranga

Colors: Saffron, White and Green; Navy Blue in the Ashok Chakra

Dimension ratio: 2:3

Material: Khadi Cotton or Silk

Adopted on: July 22, 1947

Designed by: Pingali Venkayya

Manufacturing: The responsibility lies with the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS). It is the only unit in India that is authorized to manufacture and supply the National Flag of India. 

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