Context:
Union Minister for Home Affairs urged the countrymen to hoist the Tricolour at their homes under ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.
Flag Code of India, 2002:
- Governs the hoisting/ display of the Indian National Flag
- Amended in 2021 & 2022
- General description of the flag – The National Flag shall be a tri-colour panel made up of 3 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, whichshall be completely visible on both sides of the Flag in the centre of the white panel.
- The Flag shall be rectangular, and the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
- Materials used – The Flags can be made of hand-spun, hand-woven, or machine-made cotton, polyester, wool, silk materials.
- Display of the National Flag – The national flag of India should always be displayed in a dignified manner.
- It should never touch the ground or water or be draped over vehicles, furniture, or public monuments.
- It should not be used for decorative purposes or as a part of a costume except in specific cultural and artistic contexts.
- Hoisting the Flag – The national flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly with respect and ceremony.
- When the flag is hoisted or lowered, all present should stand at attention and those in uniform should salute.
- The National Flag can be flown both during the day and at night, if it is displayed in the open or in the house of a public member. (Amendment 2022)
- Half-Masting – The flag should be flown at half-mast on specific occasions, such as to mourn the death of a dignitary or during a national mourning period.
- The decision to half-mast the flag is made by the Government of India.
- Prohibitions –
- The flag should not be defaced, damaged, or altered in any way.
- It should not be used for commercial or advertising purposes.
- The flag should not be used as a drapery in any form except during state funerals.
- The flag should not be displayed with the saffron band down.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002:
Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm * 400 mm.
Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. The standard sizes of the National Flag of India does not include the dimension 600*400mm.
