National Flag Rules and Prevention of Insults Act 2025 Update

File No. 15/1/2023-Public

Government of India

Ministry of Home Affairs

(Public Section)

North Block, New Delhi

Dated: 22nd January, 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 state 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, respect, and loyalty to the National Flag. However, a perceptible lack of awareness is often observed among people as well as organizations/agencies of the Government regarding the laws, practices, and conventions applicable to the display of the National Flag. Copies of The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and Flag Code of India, 2002 [as amended in 2021 & 2022], which govern the use, hoisting, and display of the National Flag, are available on the Ministry’s website www.mha.gov.in. Salient features of the Flag Code of India, 2002 are enclosed for reference.


2. As per clause (x) of Paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India, 2002, the National Flag made of paper may be waved by the public on occasions of important national, cultural, and sports events. You are requested to ensure that on such occasions, Flags made of paper used by the public are not discarded or thrown on the ground after the event. Such Flags should be disposed of privately, in a manner consistent with the dignity of the Flag.


3. You are also requested to undertake mass awareness programmes in this regard and provide wide publicity through advertisements in the electronic and print media.

Yours faithfully,

Encl: As above

(Debobroto Basu)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Copy to:
President’s Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.
Vice-President’s Secretariat, New Delhi.
Prime Minister’s Office, South Block, New Delhi.
Cabinet Secretariat, New Delhi.
Office of all Governors.
Election Commission of India, New Delhi.
Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.
Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.
Registrar, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
Registrar, all High Courts.
Office of Comptroller and Auditor General of India, New Delhi
Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi.
Central Vigilance Commission, New Delhi.
NITI Aayog, Yojana Bhawan, New Delhi.
All attached & subordinate offices of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
5 Spare Copies.

(Debobroto Basu)

Under Secretary to the Government of India

Contact: 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 a symbol of national pride and occupies a unique place in the emotions and psyche of the people of India.




2. The hoisting, use, and display of the Indian National Flag are governed by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and the Flag Code of India, 2002. Salient features of the Flag Code of India, 2002 are as follows:



a) The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended on 30th December 2021, allowing National Flags made of polyester or machine-made fabric. Currently, the National Flag can be made of hand-spun and hand-woven or machine-made cotton, polyester, wool, silk, or khadi bunting.

b) Members of the public, private organizations, and educational institutions may hoist or display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise, consistent with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.

c) As per the amendment dated 19th July 2022, clause (xi) of paragraph 2.2 of Part-II of the Flag Code of India was replaced with the following:

(xi) "Where the Flag is displayed in open or displayed on the house of a member of the public, it may be flown day and night."

d) The National Flag shall be rectangular in shape. It can be of any size, but the ratio of the Flag’s length to its height (width) must always be 3:2.

e) Whenever displayed, the National Flag should occupy the position of honour and be distinctly placed.

f) A damaged or dishevelled Flag shall not be displayed.

g) The Flag must not be flown from a single masthead simultaneously with any other flag or flags.

h) The Flag must not be flown on any vehicle except those of dignitaries mentioned in Section IX of Part III of the Flag Code, such as the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Governors, etc.


i) No other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than, above, or side by side with the National Flag.




Note: For further details, refer to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and the Flag Code of India, 2002, available on the Ministry of Home Affairs website www.mha.gov.in.


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