The Flag Code of India, 2002: A Plain-Language Guide for Citizens
What the Flag Code of India says, who it applies to, how it was amended in 2021 and 2022, and the related laws every citizen should know about.
What is the Flag Code?
The Flag Code of India, 2002 is a set of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs that brings together the laws, conventions, practices and instructions about the display of the national flag. It came into effect on 26 January 2002 and replaced the earlier Flag Code. Its aim is to make it easy for everyone, including members of the public, private organisations, educational institutions and government bodies, to understand how to display the flag with dignity.
This article is a simplified summary for general awareness. For any official or legal purpose, please refer to the current text of the Flag Code published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, as it may be amended from time to time.
How the Code is organised
The Flag Code is divided into three parts. Part I contains a general description of the national flag. Part II deals with the hoisting, display and use of the flag by members of the public, private organisations and educational institutions. Part III covers display by Central and State Governments and their organisations and agencies, including the use of the flag on official vehicles, during state funerals and at half-mast.
Who can fly the flag?
Any member of the public, private organisation or educational institution may hoist and display the national flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise, consistent with the dignity and honour of the national flag. This freedom was confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2004 in the case of Union of India v. Naveen Jindal, which held that flying the national flag with respect and dignity is part of the freedom of expression. We explain that case in a separate article.
Material and making of the flag
Under the Code, the flag may be made of hand-spun and hand-woven or machine-made cotton, polyester, wool or silk khadi bunting. The option of machine-made and polyester flags was added through an amendment in December 2021. Before that, the Code required hand-spun and hand-woven khadi. The flag must be rectangular in shape, and the ratio of its length to its height must be 3:2. The flag can be of any size, as long as the ratio is maintained.
Day and night display
In July 2022 the Code was amended so that, where the flag is displayed in the open or on the house of a member of the public, it may be flown day and night. Earlier, the flag was generally to be flown only from sunrise to sunset. This change made it easier for citizens to participate in campaigns such as Har Ghar Tiranga, when many families keep the flag on their homes for several days.
Key do's
Display the flag in a position of honour and distinctly placed. Hoist it briskly and lower it slowly. When displayed horizontally, the saffron band should be at the top. When displayed vertically against a wall, the saffron band should be on the left of the observer, which is the flag's own right. When the flag is displayed with other flags, the national flag should occupy the position of honour as described in the Code. A flag that is damaged should be disposed of privately and with dignity.
Key don'ts
Do not display a damaged or dishevelled flag. Do not fly the flag upside down, that is, with the green band at the top. Do not dip the flag in salute to any person or thing. No other flag or bunting should be placed higher than, above or side by side with the national flag, except as permitted. The flag should not be allowed to touch the ground, the floor or water. It should not be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting, or in any other manner for decoration. It should not be used as a covering for a statue, monument or speaker's desk, or as drapery, except at state, military or central para-military force funerals. Nothing, including flowers, should be placed on or above the flag except petals that may be placed inside it before unfurling on special occasions, and no lettering should be written on it.
Related laws
The Flag Code is supported by two important laws. The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 restricts the use of the national flag and other emblems for commercial purposes such as trade marks. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 makes it an offence to burn, mutilate, deface, defile, disfigure, destroy, trample upon or otherwise show disrespect to the national flag in public, whether by words, spoken or written, or by acts. The Act also explains that certain uses amount to disrespect, such as using the flag as a portion of a costume worn below the waist or embroidering or printing it on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins or undergarments.
Why the Code matters
The Flag Code is not meant to discourage people from using the flag. On the contrary, it encourages wide display while making sure the flag is always treated with dignity. Knowing the basics helps families, schools, housing societies and businesses celebrate national occasions confidently and correctly.
This article is intended for general educational purposes. For official or legal purposes, please refer to the current Flag Code of India and notifications published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Spotted an error? Write to info@tirangaourpride.online.