The Flag Code of India prescribes the rules for the display and use of the National Flag by citizens, government organizations, and public institutions. Essential UPSC Polity topic.

The Flag Code of India, 2002 consolidates all laws, conventions, and official instructions governing the display and use of the national flag. It aims to instil respect, awareness, and proper etiquette among the public, institutions, and educational organisations while ensuring uniformity in flag handling.

Flag Code of India, 2002 — Guidelines and Protocols for Display and Respect

• Part I – National Flag: Structure, Material, and Dimensions

  • Design & Structure: The national flag is a tri-colour rectangle with saffron at the top, white in the centre featuring the Ashoka Chakra in navy blue, and green at the bottom.
  • Material: Only hand-spun, hand-woven khadi of wool, cotton, or silk is permitted.
  • Shape & Proportion: Rectangular with a length to width ratio of 3:2.
  • Standard Sizes: From 6300×4200 mm to 150×100 mm; smaller sizes allowed for vehicles or desktops.

• Part II – Hoisting and Display by Public, Organisations, and Institutions

  • (i) Restrictions on Flag Use

    • Flag must not be used for commercial purposes or dipped in salute to any person or object.
    • Half-mast display only on officially approved occasions.
    • Cannot be used as drapery, clothing, uniform, printed material, or for decorative purposes.
    • No lettering, object-carrying, or covering statues/buildings/platforms; must not touch ground or water.
    • Improper display such as saffron portion down or misplacement on vehicles/buildings is prohibited.

  • (ii) Display Etiquette

    • Flag should occupy the position of honour and remain clearly visible.
    • Damaged flags should not be displayed; destroy privately, preferably by burning.
    • Only one flag per mast; no other flag or object may be higher or alongside.
    • Flags may be flown sunrise to sunset; paper flags may be waved respectfully and disposed privately.

  • (iii) Hoisting in Educational Institutions

    • Assemblies form square formations with pupils arranged by class seniority; headmaster, pupil leader, and flag unfurling person behind the flag-staff.
    • Class leaders salute pupil leader; pupil leader salutes headmaster; flag unfurled following protocol.
    • National anthem played post-flag unfurling; pledge may follow with assembly at attention.
    • Pledge: “I pledge allegiance to the National Flag and to the Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic for which it stands.”

• Part III – Display by Central and State Governments

  • Government organisations must adhere to the Flag Code with added provisions for official buildings, ceremonies, and events.
  • Flag on government premises must always reflect dignity, with saffron, white, and green correctly positioned, and Ashoka Chakra visible.

  • Section (i) – Defence Installations & Heads of Missions

    • Defence installations follow specialised protocols for the flag.
    • Heads of diplomatic missions abroad may display the flag at headquarters/residences respecting local customs.

  • Section (ii) – Official Display

    • All governments and organisations must follow Flag Code rules.
    • Flags must conform to Bureau of Indian Standards; recommended sizes should be used.

  • Section (iii) – Correct Display Practices

    • Flag must occupy position of honour.
    • Hoist briskly, lower slowly; sunrise to sunset.
    • Horizontal/vertical display: saffron at top or right (observer’s left).
    • Speaker platforms: flag on right or behind; processions: marching right.
    • Motor vehicles: flag staff firmly fixed; trains/aircrafts: follow protocol.
    • Foreign dignitaries: national flag right, foreign flag left.

• Part IV – Incorrect Display

  • No damaged or disheveled flags.
  • Do not dip, touch ground, display saffron down, cover desks/buildings, or use for decoration/advertisement.

• Part V – Misuse

  • Not for draping vehicles/buildings (except funerals), costumes, uniforms, cushions, or boxes.
  • No lettering or advertisements on the flag.
  • Special allowance: flower petals inside the flag on national events only.

• Part VI – Salute Protocol

  • During hoisting, lowering, or parades, everyone must face the flag at attention; uniformed personnel salute accordingly.

• Part VII – Display Alongside Other Flags

  • National flag on extreme right (observer facing line).
  • Foreign flags in alphabetical order; flag hoisted first, lowered last.
  • Arc/circle arrangement: national flag begins sequence; all staffs equal height; never above another nation’s flag.
  • United Nations flag may be either side; national flag normally on extreme right.

• Part VIII – Public Buildings and Official Residences

  • Flag flown on important buildings: high courts, secretariats, district offices, PSUs.
  • Border posts and frontier camps may display flag.
  • Official residences (President, Vice-President, Governors): flag hoisted during presence, lowered when absent; full day on national occasions.
  • Institutions may display flag during visits by top dignitaries.

• Part IX – Motor Cars

  • Eligible: President, Vice-President, Governors, PM, Ministers, Speakers, Chief Justices, Judges.
  • Foreign dignitaries in government car: national flag right, foreign flag left.

• Part X – Trains and Aircrafts

  • President’s train: flag on cab side facing platform; only when stationary/approaching station.
  • Aircraft: flag of India with visiting country; courtesy flags flown for countries touched.
  • Domestic tour: flag on side where President embarks/disembarks.

• Part XI – Half-Masting Protocol

  • Half-mast on death of dignitaries; at designated places including states/UTs.
  • Hoist to peak, lower to half-mast, raise again before final lowering.
  • State/military funerals: flag draped over coffin saffron towards head; not lowered into grave/pyre.
  • Foreign dignitaries: half-mast as per local protocol/Home Affairs instructions.
  • National celebrations coinciding with half-mast days: exceptions allow full-mast display.