- India
- Aug 11
Explainer - The Flag Code of India
• The Ministry of Home Affairs directed all the states and Union Territories to adhere to the Flag Code.
• In a communique to the chief secretaries of all the states and UTs, the MHA underlined that while flags made of paper may be waved by the public on occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, those should not be discarded or thrown on the ground after the events.
The Flag Code of India
• The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended in December 2021 and July 2022 to widen public participation.
• It governs the display of the National Flag by private, public, and government institutions.
• The Flag Code of India took effect on January 26, 2002.
Flag Code of India, 2002, has been divided into three parts:
• First Part: General Description of the National Flag.
• Second Part: Display of the National Flag by members of public, private organisations and educational institutions, etc.
• Third Part: Display of National Flag by Union or state governments and their organisations and agencies.
Key points of the Flag Code:
• 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) shall be 3:2.
• The National Flag shall be made of hand spun and hand woven or machine made, cotton/polyester /wool/silk khadi bunting.
• Any member of the public, private organisation or educational institution may hoist the flag on all days and occasions, consistent with its dignity and honour.
• Since the July 2022 amendment, a flag displayed in the open or on the house of a member of the public may be flown both day and night.
• Whenever the National Flag is displayed, it must occupy the position of honour and be distinctly placed.
• A flag that is torn, soiled or dishevelled must never be displayed.
• The flag should not be flown from a single masthead simultaneously with any other flag.
• No other flag or bunting may be placed higher than, above, or side by side with the National Flag.
• The National Flag may only be flown on vehicles of dignitaries listed in the Flag Code — the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governors and others.
Fifth edition of Har Ghar Tiranga
• ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign that started in 2022 under the aegis of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to encourage people to bring the National Flag home and to hoist it to mark India’s independence.
• The 2026 edition of the campaign is observed across the country from August 9 to 17.
• The campaign, which has evolved into one of India’s largest public participation movements, calls upon citizens to proudly hoist the National Flag and participate in a wide range of activities celebrating the spirit of patriotism and national unity.
• This year's campaign is dedicated to 150 years of India’s National Song, ‘Vande Mataram’, bringing together the National Flag and the National Song in a unique celebration of patriotism.