Related Topics

Flag Code of India
2022 JUL   13
Flag Code of India
2022 MAR   5

Rules for displaying the National Flag

2022 AUG 4

Preliminary   > Polity   >   Miscellaneous   >   Fundamental duties

Background:

  • There are a number of rules surrounding the act of hoisting or displaying the National Flag.
  • These instructions are contained in the Flag Code of India 2002 and upheld by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act,1971.

Rules for displaying the National Flag:

  • Who is allowed to fly a national flag and on which days?
    • Any person, organization, private or public, or educational institution (including scout camps) can hoist or display the Tricolour on all days or occasions in accordance with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.
  • Choosing the flag:
    • The flag can be as big or small as one wants but the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the National Flag shall be 3:2. So, the flag must always be a rectangle rather than a square or any other shape.
  • Material of the Flag:
    • The material of the flag can be handspun and handwoven or machine-made, cotton, polyester, wool, silk or khadi bunting.
  • Damaged flag:
    • It is against rules to display a damaged or disheveled National Flag. Moreover, no other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag.
  • Is it ok to wear the Flag in a display of love for the nation?
    • A person is forbidden by law to use the national flag as a portion of a costume or uniform.
  • Flag on a vehicle:
    • The National Flag cannot be flown on any vehicle except those of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governor and other dignitaries.

What should one do with the flag after Independence Day?

  • The flag should not be stored in a way that might dirty or damage it.
  • In case the flag is damaged, the Flag Code instructs the person not to cast it aside or treat it disrespectfully but destroy it as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any method consistent with the dignity of the flag.

Punishment for disrespecting the flag:

  • According to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag, the person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine or with both.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

According to Flag Code of India, National Flag can be made of:

 

1. Hand-woven cotton

2. Machine made cotton

3. Machine made polyester

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer