The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has issued a directive urging strict compliance with the Flag Code of India, 2002 (amended 2021-2022) and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The directive emphasizes the need for respect and proper handling of the Indian National Flag, highlighting that flags made of paper should be disposed of with dignity after public events. It also calls for mass awareness campaigns to educate the public and organizations on these regulations. The Flag Code, recently updated, allows for the display of the flag on all days and has revised guidelines on flag materials and usage. For more details, relevant documents are available on the Ministry’s website.
File No. 15/1/2023-Public
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
(Public Section)
***
North Block, New
Delhi – 01. Dated: 09th August, 2024
To
The Chief Secretaries/ Administrators of All State Governments / UT Administrations,
Secretaries of all Ministries/Departments of Government of India.
Subject: Strict compliance of the provisions of Flag Code of India, 2002 [as amended in 2021 2022] and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 197 1- reg.
Sir/ Madam,
I am directed to say that the Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of our country and hence should occupy a position of honour. There is universal affection and respect for, and loyalty to, the National flag. Yet, a perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed amongst people as well as organizations/agencies of the Government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to display of the National Flag. Copy of ‘The Prevention of Insults to National 2 Honour Act, 1971’ and ‘Flag Code of India, 2002 [as amended in 2021 2022]’ which governs the use/hoisting/display of National Flag, are available on this Ministry’s website www.mha.gov.in.
2. As per clause (x) of Paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India, the National Flag made of paper may be waved by public on occasions of important national, cultural and sports events. You are requested to ensure that on the occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, Flags used by the public, made of paper are not discarded or thrown on the ground after the event. Such Flags are to be disposed of, in private, consistent with the dignity of the Flag.
3. You are also requested to undertake mass awareness programme in this regard and also to give it wide publicity through advertisements in the electronic and print media.
Enel: As above.
(Debobroto Basu)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 2309 2421
Copy to:
1. President’s Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.
2. Vice – President’s Secretariat, New Delhi.
3. Prime Minister’s Office, South Block, New Delhi.
4. Cabinet Secretariat, New
5. Office of all Governors.
6. Election Commission of India, New Delhi.
7. Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.
8. Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.
9. Registrar, Supreme Court of India, New
10. Registrar, all High Courts.
11. Office of Comptroller and Auditor General of India, New Delhi.
12. The Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi.
13. Central Vigilance Commission, New Delhi.
14. NIT1 Aayog, Yojana Bhawan, New Delhi.
15. All attached Subordinate Offices of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
16. 5 Spare Copies.
(Debobroro Basu)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 2309 2421
Salient Features of Flag Code of India, 2002
1. The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It is the symbol of our national pride and there is universal affection and respect for, and loyalty to, the National Flag. It occupies a unique and special place in the emotions and psyche of the people of India.
2. The hoisting/use/display of the Indian National Flag is governed by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and the Flag Code of India, 2002. Some of salient features of the Flag Code of India, 2002 are listed below for the information of the public:-
a) The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended vide Order dated 30s1 December, 2021 and National Flag made of polyester or machine Flag have been allowed. Now, the National Flag shall be made of hand spun and hand woven or machine made, cotton/polyestcr/wool/silk khadi bunting.
b) A member of public, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist/display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise, consistent with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.
c) The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended vide Order dated 19th July, 2022 and clause (xi) of paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India was replaced by the following clause:-
(xi) “where the Flag is displayed in open or displayed on the house of a member of public, it may be flown day and night;”
d) 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) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
e) Whenever the National Flag is displayed, it should occupy the position of honour and should be distinctly placed.
f) A damaged or dishevelled Flag shall not be displayed.
g) The Flag should not be flown from a single masthead simultaneously with any other flag or flags.
i) The Flag should not be flown on any vehicle except of the dignitaries mentioned in Section IX of Part III of the Flag Code, such as President, Vice-President, Prime- Minister, Government
Note:- For further details, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and the Flag Code of India, 2002 are available on Ministry of Home Affairs’ website www.mha.gov.in.
