It is one of the fundamental duties of every citizen to respect the National - Flag. And to accord due respect to this solemn symbol of the nation, one ought to know codes related to the National Flag, the courtesies and ceremonies connected with it. With a view to familiarising ourselves and for general guidance the relevant instruction and codes are enumerated as follows ----

1. Wherever the Tiranga is flown, it should occupy the position of honour and be distinctly placed.
2. Where the practice is to fly the Tiranga on any public building, it shall be flown on that building on all days, including Sundays & Holidays. It shall be flown from sunrise to sunset irrespective of weather conditions. The flag may be flown on such a building at night also, but this should be only on very special occasions.
3. The Tiranga shall always be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. When the hoisting and the lowering of the flag is accompanied by appropriate bugle calls, the hoisting and lowering should be simultaneous with the bugle calls.
4. When the Tiranga is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from windowsill, balcony, or front of a building, the saffron band shall be at the farther end of the staff.
5. When the Tiranga is displayed flat and horizontal on a wall, the saffron band shall be uppermost and when displayed vertically, the saffron band shall be to the right with reference to the Flag, i.e it may be to the right of a person facing it.
6. When displayed over the middle of a street, running east-west or north-south, the Tiranga shall be suspended vertically with the saffron to the north, or to the east as the case may be.
7. When the Tiranga is displayed on a sneaker's platform, it shall be flown on a staff on the speaker's right as he faces the audience or flat against the wall above and behind the speaker.
8. When used on occasions like the unveiling of a statue, the Tiranga shall be displayed distinctly and separately.
9. When the Tiranga is displayed alone on a motor car, it shall be flown from staff which should be affixed firmly to the car in the middle front of the bonnet.
10. When the Tiranga is carried in a procession or a parade, it shall be either on the marching right, that is the Flag's own right, or if there is a line of other flags, in front of the centre of the line.

1. A damaged or disheveled Tiranga must not be displayed.
2. The Flag must not be dipped in salute to any person or thing.
3. No other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or side by side with the Tiranga, nor shall any object, including flowers or garlands or emblems be placed on or above the flag mast from which the Tiranga is flown.
4. The Tiranga must not be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting or in any other manner for decoration, nor shall other coloured pieces of cloth be so arranged as to give the appearance of the Tiranga.
5. The Tiranga must not be used to cover a speaker's desk nor should it be draped over a speaker's platform.
6. The Tiranga must not be displayed with the " saffron " down.
7. The Tiranga must not be allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water.
8. The Tiranga must be not be displayed or fastened in any manner as may damage it.
9. Back

1. The Tiranga must not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever except in State / military funerals.
2. The Tiranga must not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle or a train or a boat.
3. The Tiranga must not be used or stored in such a manner as may damage or soil it.
4. When the Tiranga is in a damaged or soiled condition, it may not be cast aside or disrespectfully disposed of, but shall be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of the flag. The other proper way to destroy the Tiranga could be immersion into the Ganga or buried with due respect.
5. The Tiranga must not be used as a covering for a building.
6. The Tiranga must not be used as a portion of a costume or uniform of any description. It shall not be embroidered upon cushions or handkerchiefs or printed on napkins or boxes.
7. Lettering of any kind shall not be put upon the Tiranga.'
8. The Tiranga must not be used in any form of advertisement nor shall an advertisement sign be fastened to the pole from which the flag is flown.
9. The Tiranga must not be used as a receptacle for receiving, delivering, holding or carrying anything.

The display of the Tiranga is unrestricted throughout the country on the following occasions. However, following the judgement of the Delhi High Court on the Tiranga, all restrictions are now rendered invalid.

Republic Day - during the period from the commencement to the close of the celebrations, until Beating of Retreat ceremony on January 29 at Vijay Chowk, Delhi.

National week  - April 6 to April 13 - in memory of the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh.

Independence Day : August 15

Mahatma Gandhi's birthday : October 2 and

Any other particular day of national rejoicing as may be specified by the Government of India.

(a) The display of Tiranga shall be unrestricted in a State on the anniversary of the formation of that state.

The Government of India may authorise the unrestricted display of the Tiranga on any specified day in any local area on account of local celebration.

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the Tiranga or when the flag is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present should face the flag and stand attention. Those present in uniform should render the appropriate salute. When the Flag is in a moving column. persons present will stand at attention or salute as the Flag passes them. A dignitary may take the salute without a head dress.

1. When displayed in a straight line with Flags of other countries, the National-Flag shall be on the extreme right; (i.e.) if an observer were to stand in the centre of the row of the flags facing the audience, the National-Flag should be to his extreme right. Flags of foreign countries shall proceed as from the National-Flag in alphabetical order on the basis of English versions of the names of the countries concerned. It would be permissible in such a case to begin and also to end the row of flags with the National-Flag and also to include the National Flag in the normal country wise alphabetical order. The National-Flag shall be hoisted first and lowered last.
2. In case flags are to be flown in an open circle, i.e., in an arc or a semi-circle, the same procedure shall be adopted, as is indicated in the preceding paragraphs. In case flags are to be flown in a closed, i.e., complete circle, the National-Flag shall mark the beginning of the circle and the flags of other countries should proceed in a clockwise manner until the last flag is placed next to the National-Flag. It is not necessary to use separate National-Flags to mark the beginning and the end of the circle of flags. The National-Flag shall also be included In Its alphabetical order in such a closed circle. When the National-Flag Is displayed against a wall with another flag from crossed staffs, the National-Flag shall be on the right (i.e.) the flag's own right, and Its staff shall be in front of the staff of the other Flag.
3. When the United Nations' flag is flown along with the National-Flag, it can be displayed on either side of the National-Flags. The general practice is to fly the National Flag on the extreme right with reference to the direction which it Is facing (i.e. extreme left of an observer facing the masts flying the flags.)
4. When the National-Flag Is flown with flags of other countries, the flag masts shall be of equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
5. The National-Flag shall not be flown from a single masthead simultaneously with any other flag or flags. There shall be separate mastheads for different flags.
6. On occasions specified by the Government, such as the visit of a foreign dignitary, the general public may wave the National-Flag made of paper and the paper flag of the other country. After use. they shall be disposed of in a proper manner preferably by burning in private.
7. With permission of the Government, the National Flag and the flags of other countries may be displayed on occasions such as cultural shows, exhibitions, musical concerts, film festivals, etc., sponsored by the diplomatic or consular representatives of foreign governments.
8. A foreigner or a foreign firm/institution may fly the National-Flag of India along with the flag of his/its country on the Indian National days or his/its own country's national days, in accordance with the procedure indicated above.

Public buildings :

• Normally, the National-Flag should be flown only on important public buildings such as High Courts, Secretariat Commissioners' Offices, Collectorates, Jails and offices of the District Boards, Municipalities, Zilla Parishads and Departmental /Public Sector undertakings.
• In frontier areas the National-Flag may be flown on the international borders, custom-posts, check-posts, outposts, and at other special places where the flying of the Flag takes on special significance. In addition, it may be flown on camp sites of border patrols, airports, lighthouses facing international waters.

(a) The National-Flag should be flown on the official residences of the President, Vice-President, Governors and Lieutenant Governors when they are at Headquarters and on the building In which they stay during their visits to places outside the Headquarters. The Flag flown on the official residence should, however, be brought down as soon as the dignitary leaves the Headquarters and It should be re-hoisted on that building as he enters the main gate of the building on return to the Headquarters. When. the dignitary is on a visit to a place outside the Headquarters, the Flag should be hoisted on the building in which he stays as he enters the main gate of that building and it should be brought down as soon as he leaves that place. On the National days the Flag should, however, be flown from sunrise to sunset on such official residences irrespective of whether the dignitary is at Headquarters or not.

(b) The National-Flag should be flown on the residences at Headquarters of the Heads of Missions/Posts abroad in the countries where it is the custom for diplomatic and consular representatives to fly their National-Flags over their official residences. They may also, in similar circumstances, fly the Flag on their offices where they are separate from residences.

Institutions :

(a) When the President, the Vice-President or the Prime Minister visits an institution, the National-Flag may be flown by the institution as a mark of respect.

(b) On the occasions of the visit to India by foreign dignitaries, namely. President, Vice-President, Emperor/King or Heir Prince and the Prime Minister, the National-Flag may be flown along with the Flag of the foreign country concerned in accordance with the rules by such private institutions as are according reception to the visiting foreign dignitaries and on such public buildings as the foreign dignitaries intend to visit on the day of visit to the institution.

Display of National-Flag on Motor Cars :

(a) The privilege of flying the National-Flag on motor cars Is limited to the :

• President
• Vice-President
• Governors and Lieutenant Governors
• Heads of Indian Missions abroad In the countries to which they are accredited
• Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers,  Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers of the Union, Chief Minister and other Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers of States

Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers of Union Territories
• Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha,  Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha; Chairmen of Legislative Councils in States, Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in States and Union Territories,  Deputy Chairmen of Legislative Councils in States,  Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in States and Union Territories
• Chief Justice of India,  Judges of Supreme Court Chief Justice of High Courts. The case on the entitlement of the High Court Judges is pending.

The dignitaries mentioned may fly the National-Flag on their cars, whenever they consider it necessary or advisable.

Display of the National-Flag on Trains :

When the President travels by special train within the country, the National-Flag is flown from the driver's cab on the side facing the platform of the station from where the train departs. The Flag Is flown only when the special train is stationary or when coining into the station where it is going to halt.

Display of the National-Flag on Aircraft's :

(a) The National-Flag Is flown on the aircraft carrying the President, the Vice-President or the Prime Minister on a visit to a foreign country. Alongside the National-Flag, the flag of the country visited should also be flown but, when the aircraft lands in countries en route, the National-Flag of the countries touched would be flown instead, as a gesture of courtesy and goodwill.
(b) When the President goes on tour within India, the National-Flag is displayed on the side by which the President will embark the aircraft or disembark from It.

Half-Masting of the National-Flag

1.  In the event of the death of the following dignitaries, the National-Flag shall be half-masted at the places indicated against each on the day of the death of the dignitary --

     Note - ' Delhi ' means the areas under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Municipal Corporation, the New Delhi Municipal Committee and the Delhi Cantonment Board.

1. If the intimation of the death of any dignitary is received In the afternoon, the National-Flags shall be halfmasted on the following day also at the place or places indicated above, provided the funeral has not taken place before sunrise on that day.
2. On the day of the funeral of a dignitary mentioned above the National-Flags shall be half-masted at the place where the funeral takes place.
3.  If State mourning Is to be observed on the death of any dignitary, the National-Flag shall be half-masted throughout the period of the mourning throughout India in the case of the Union dignitaries and throughout the State or Union Territory concerned In the case of a State or Union Territory dignitary.
4. Half-masting of the National-Flag and, where necessary, observance of State mourning on the death of foreign dignitaries will be governed by special Instructions which will be Issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs in individual cases.
5. Notwithstanding, the above provisions in the event of a half-mast day coinciding with a National-day,the flags shall not be flown at half-mast except over the building where the body of the deceased is lying until such time as it has been removed and that the Flag shall also be raised to the full-mast position after the body has been removed.
6. If mourning were to be observed in a parade or procession where a National-Flag is carried, two streamers of black crepe are attached to the spearhead, allowing the streamers to fall naturally. The use of black crepe in such a manner can be only by order of Government.
7. When flown at half-mast, the National-Flag is to be hoisted to the peak for an instant, then lowered to the halfmast position, but before lowering the Flag for the day, it is to be raised again to the peak.
        Note - By half-mast is meant hauling down the Flag to one half the distance between the top and the             guy-line and In the absence of the guy-line, half of the staff.
8. On occasions of State and Military funerals, the National-Flag is draped over the bier or coffin with the saffron towards the head of the bier or coffin. The Flag shall not be lowered into the grave or burnt on the pyre. .
9. In the event of death of either the Head of the State or Head of the Government of a foreign country, the Indian Mission accredited to that country may fly the National-Flag at half-mast even if that event falls on a National-day. In the event of death of any other dignitary of that country, the National-Flag should not be flown at half-mast by the Missions except when the local practice or protocol (which should be ascertained from the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, where necessary) require that the National-Flag of a Foreign Mission in that country should also be flown at half-mast.

a) The above provisions are not applicable to Defence lnstallations,who have their own rules for the display of the National-Flag.
b) The use of the National-Flag or any colourable imitation thereof for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession or In the title of any patent or in any trademark or design without the prior permission of the Central Government Is an offence under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.
c)  Whoever In any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written or by acts) the National-Flag or any part thereof, is liable to be punished under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. 1971.

The National-Flag may be hoisted in schools, colleges, sports, camps, scout camps, etc. on special occasions and also inspire patriotic feeling and respect for the National-Flag. Model instructions for hoisting, saluting and giving pledges for the National-Flag.

(1) The School will assemble in an open square formation with the pupils forming the three sides and the flagstaff at the centre of the fourth side. The Headmaster, the pupil leader and the person unfurling the National-Flag (If other than the Headmaster) will stand three paces behind the flagstaff.
(2) The pupils will fall according to classes and in squads of ten (or other number according to strength). These squads will be arranged one behind the other. The pupil leader of the class will stand to the right of the first row of his class and the form master will stand three paces behind the last row of his class, towards the middle. The classes will be arranged along the square In the order of seniority with the seniormost class at the right end.
(3) The distance between each row should be at least one pace (30 inches); and the space between Form and Form should be the same.
(4) When each Form or Class is ready the Class leader will step forward and salute the selected school pupil leader. As soon as all the Forms are ready, the school pupil leader will step up to the Headmaster and salute him. The Headmaster will return the salute. Then, the Flag will be unfurled. The school pupil leader may assist.

The School pupil leader in charge of the parade (or Assembly) will call the parade to attention, just before the unfurling, and he will call them to the salute when the Flag flies out. The parade will keep at the salute for a brief interval, and then on the command "order", the parade will come to the "attention" position.
(5) The Flag salutation will be followed by the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana). The parade will be kept at attention during this part of the function.
(6) On all occasions when the pledge is taken, the pledge will follow the National Anthem. When taking the pledge, the Assembly will stand to attention and the Headmaster will administer the pledge ceremoniously and the Assembly will repeat it after him.

In pledging allegiance to the National-Flag, the practice to be adopted in schools is as follows --

Standing with folded hands, all repeat together the following pledge :

" I, ...... pledge allegiance to the National-Flag and to the Sovereign Democratic Republic for which it stands."

Back
 
 

Copyright © 1998-2001 Live India Internet Services! All rights reserved Legal Information All rights reserved. No part of this publication and other sites of under liveindia.com  may be transmitted or reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission  from the publisher Live India Internet Services or  Rajesh Chopra, or L.C.Premium Cables, 1826, Amar Nath 2nd Building, Bhagirath Palace Delhi - 110006, India. Liveindia.com or Mr.Rajesh Chopra is not responsible for any wrong information under this site, For confirmation of any information it is recomended that you reconfirm it from your end.

Welcome to Rajesh Chopra's Guest Book  and comments Please