Flag Code of India

The Flag Code of India brings together all laws, conventions, practices, and instructions for the display of the National Flag. It governs the display of the National Flag by Private, Public, and Government Institutions. The Flag Code of India took effect on 26th January 2002.

Salient Features of Flag Code of India, 2002 and amendment made

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.

The hoisting/use/display of the Indian National Flag is governed by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and the Flag Code of India, 2002. Some of salient features of the Flag Code of India, 2002 are listed below for the information of the public:-

• The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended vide Order dated 30st December, 2021 and National Flag made of polyester or machine made Flag have been allowed. Now, the National Flag shall be made of hand spun and hand woven or machine made, cotton/polyester/wool/silk khadi bunting.
• 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.
• The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended vide Order dated 19th July, 2022 and clause (xi) of paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India was replaced by the following clause:-
  (xi) “where the Flag is displayed in open or displayed on the house of a member of public, it may be flown day and night;”
• The National Flag shall be rectangular in shape. The Flag can be of any size but the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
• Whenever the National Flag is displayed, it should occupy the position of honour and should be distinctly placed.
• A damaged or dishevelled Flag shall not be displayed.
• The Flag should not be flown from a single masthead simultaneously with any other flag or flags.
• The Flag should not be flown on any vehicle except of the dignitaries mentioned in Section IX of Part III of the Flag Code, such as President, Vice-President, Prime-Minister, Governors etc.
• No other flag or bunting should be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag.

To access the Flag Code of India, 2002, click here.

To access the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, click here

FAQs on Flag Code

1. Which material can be used to produce the National Flag?

The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended vide Order dated 30th December, 2021 and National Flag made of polyester or machine made Flag have been allowed. Now, the National Flag shall be made of handspun and handwoven or machine-made, cotton/polyester/wool/silk/khadi bunting.

What is the appropriate size and ratio of the National Flag?

As per paragraph 1.3 & 1.4 of the Flag Code of India, the National Flag shall be rectangular in shape. The Flag can be of any size but the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the National Flag shall be 3:2.

Can I display the National Flag at my home?

As per paragraph 2.2 of the Flag Code of India, a member of the public, a private organization, or an educational institution may hoist/display the National Flag on all days or occasions in accordance with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.

What is the timing for flying the National Flag in the open/at the home?

The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended vide Order dated 20th July, 2022 and clause (xi) of paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India was replaced by the following clause:-

“where the Flag is displayed in open or displayed on the house of a member of public, it may be flown day and night;”
Q7. What should I keep in mind while displaying the National Flag at my home?

Whenever the National Flag is on display, it should occupy the position of honor and should be distinctly placed. A damaged or disheveled National Flag should not be displayed.

What should I keep in mind to avoid incorrect display of the National Flag?

• The National Flag shall not be displayed in an inverted manner; i.e.; the saffron band should not be the bottom band
• A damaged or disheveled National Flag shall not be displayed
• The National 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 side by side with the National Flag; nor shall any object including flowers or garlands, or emblem be placed on or above the flagmast from which the National Flag is flown.
• The National Flag shall not be used as a festoon, rosette, bunting, or in any other manner for decoration
• The National Flag shall not be allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in the water
• The National Flag shall not be displayed or fastened in any manner as may damage it
• The National Flag should not be flown from a single masthead (top part of a flagpole) simultaneously with any other flag or flags
• The National Flag shall not be used to cover a speaker's desk, nor shall it be draped over a speaker's platform
• The National Flag shall not be used as a portion of costume or uniform or accessory of any description which is worn below the waist of any person nor shall it be embroidered or printed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, undergarments or any dress material

Are there any rules for prevention of insult to the Indian National Flag?

Yes. In accordance with explanation 4 to section 2 of “the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971’, the following should be observed:

• The National Flag shall not be used as a form of drapery in any form whatsoever, including private funerals
• The National Flag shall not be used as a portion of costume or uniform or accessory of any description which is worn below the waist of any person nor shall it be embroidered or printed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, undergarments or any dress material
• There shall be no lettering upon the National Flag
• The National Flag shall not be used to wrap, receive, or deliver things
• The National Flag shall not be used to cover the sides, back, and top of any vehicle.

What is the correct way to display the National Flag in the open/on public buildings?

• When the National 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 in reference to the National Flag i.e., it should be to the left of a person facing it.
• When the National Flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from a sill, balcony, or front of a building, the saffron band shall be at the farther end of the staff.

Should the National Flag be flown at half-mast?

The National Flag shall not be flown at half-mast except on occasions instructed by the Government of India. When flown at half-mast, the National Flag shall be hoisted first to the peak/top of the staff, then lowered to the half-mast position. Before lowering the National Flag for the day, it should be raised again to its peak.

Can I display the National Flag on my car?

The privilege of hosting the National Flag on motor cars is only limited to the following persons as per paragraph 3.44 of the Flag Code of India, 2002.

• President
• Vice-President
• Governors and Lieutenant Governors
• Heads of Indian Missions/Posts
• Prime Minister
• Cabinet Ministers, Minister of State, and Deputy Ministers of the Union
• Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister of a State or Union Territory
• Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Chairman of Legislative Councils in States, Speakers of the Legislative Assemblies in States and Union Territories, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council in States, Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in States and Union Territories
• Chief Justice of India
• Judges of Supreme Court
• Chief Justice of High Courts
• Judges of High Courts

How can we display the Indian National Flag along with flags of other nations?

• As per paragraph 3.32 of the Flag Code of India, when the National Flag is displayed in a straight line with flags of other countries, the National Flag shall be on the extreme right. The flags of other nations will follow in an alphabetical order as per the English versions of names of the nations.
• If the flags are flown in a closed circle formation, the National Flag is flown first and is followed by flags of other national in a clockwise manner.
• When the flag is displayed against the wall with another flag from crossed staffs, the National Flag shall be on the right and its staff will be in front of the staff of the other flag.
• When the National Flag is flown with flags of other nations, the flag masts shall be of equal size.

How should the National Flag be disposed?

• As per paragraph 2.2 of the Flag Code of India, if the National Flag is damaged, it shall be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by burning or any other method considering the dignity of the National Flag.
• The National Flag, if made of paper, is waved by the general public, these flags should not be discarded on the ground. These should be discarded in private, keeping in mind the dignity of the National Flag.

Source : Ministry of Home Affairs