The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a directive to all states, Union Territories, and central government departments regarding the strict compliance with the Flag Code of India, 2002, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The letter, dated August 5, 2025, notes a “perceptible lack of awareness” about the rules governing the display and use of the National Flag. It emphasizes that the flag should be treated with honor and respect. Specifically, the ministry highlighted a provision of the Flag Code that permits the public to wave paper flags during national, cultural, and sports events. It requests that after these events, such flags are not discarded or thrown on the ground but are disposed of privately in a way that maintains the dignity of the flag. The ministry also urged authorities to launch mass awareness campaigns through both electronic and print media to educate the public on these rules.
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File No. 15/1/2023-Public
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
(Public Section)
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North Block, New Delhi
Dated: 05th August, 2025
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, 1971-reg.
Sir/ Madam,
I am directed to say that the Indian National Flag represents 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 Ciovernment, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to display of the National Flag. Copy of ‘The Prevention of Insults to National 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. Salient features of the Flag Code of India, 2002 are enclosed.
2. As per clause (x) of Paragraph 2.2 of Part-11 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.
End: As above.
Yours faithfully,
(Kamlesh Rabidas)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
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 Delhi.
5. Office of all Governors.
6. Election Commission of India, New Delhi.
7. I,ok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.
8. Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.
9. Registrar, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
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. NITI Aayog, Yojana Bhawan, New Delhi.
15. All attached & Subordinate Offices of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
16. 5 Spare Copies.
(Kamlesh Rabidas)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
