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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Indian National Flag

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Indian National Flag

Posted On: 25 JUL 2022 12:56PM by PIB Chennai

 Ql.          Is the use, display  and  hoisting  of the National  Flag  guided  by any overarching set of instructions?

Yes-  the 'Flag  Code  of India 2002'  and the Prevention  of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

 Q2.   What  is the 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.

 Q3.    Which  material   can  be used to produce   the National  Flag?

The Flag  Code  of India,  2002  was  amended  vide  Order  dated  so" 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/po lyester/woo 1/silk/khadi bunting.

 Q4.   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.

 Q5.   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.

 Q6.         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  zo" 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;"

  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.

 Q8.    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

 

Q9.  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.

 

QI0. What   is  the  correct   way  to  display   the  National   Flag  in  the open/on  public  buildings?

As  per  Section  III  of  Part  III  of  the  Flag  Code  of  India,  if the National  Flag  is flown  on public  buildings,  it should  be flown  on all  days   from   sunrise   to   sunset,   irrespective    of  the   weather conditions.  It should be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly.

•             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  windowsill,   balcony,  or front of a building, the saffron band shall be at the farther end of the staff.

 Qll.  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.

 Q12.  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  LokSabha,  Deputy  Chairman  of Rajya Sabha,               Deputy  Speaker  of  LokSabha,   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

 Q13. 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.

 Q14. 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 waived 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:

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/flagcodeofmdia070214.Pdf

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/fileslPreventionInsultsNationalHonourAct1971l.pdf

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/flagcodeofindia_070214.pdf

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/Prevention_Insults_National_Honour_Act1971_1.pdf

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