National Flag Day: Date, Significance, Laws Governing National Flag

National Flag Day of India is observed every year on July 22 to celebrate the day of adoption of India’s National Flag on July 22, 1947, by the Constituent Assembly. Subsequently, India achieved its independence from British rule after a few days on August 15, 1947.

The National Flag was adopted in a meeting of the Constituent Assembly chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Our National Flag stands for national pride and the struggle for freedom from British rule. It is a humble tribute to the supreme sacrifices made by the freedom fighters during India’s Independence movement.

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National Flag Day

National Flag Adoption Day is observed in India to mark the date of the adoption of India’s tricolor National Flag. 

• The resolution of the adoption of the national flag was moved by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who stated that "Resolved that the National Flag of India shall be a horizontal tricolour of deep Saffron (Kesari), white, and dark green in equal proportion”.

• The motion was unanimously accepted by the Constituent Assembly, affirming India’s commitment to freedom and future prosperity. 

Meaning of Colors in National Flag of India

The National Flag, as adopted by the Constituent Assembly on the National Flag Day, consists of three horizontal strips of different colors. The ratio of the length to the width of the national flag is 3:2. There is a navy-blue wheel at the centre with 24 spokes. The meaning of the three different colors assigned to our flag on National Flag Day in India can be summarized as follows:

• The top horizontal strip is of saffron color, which symbolizes courage and sacrifice.

• The second horizontal strip is white in color and signifies peace and truth.

• The third horizontal strip is green in color, and this color signifies fertility and auspiciousness.

• The Navy-blue wheel with its 24 spokes is taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. It symbolizes the wheel of law and the dynamism of life.

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Laws Governing India’s National Flag

On National Flag Day of India, all the citizens of India need to understand the details related to the Laws governing India’s National Flag. The hoisting and the display of the national flag is governed by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and the Flag Code of India 2002:

Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971

Under the provisions of the following act, anyone who disrespects the Indian national flag in a public place or visible to the public by burning, mutilating, defacing, or destroying the flag will be punished up to three years of imprisonment, a fine, or both. 

Flag Code of India, 2002

There are certain provisions mentioned under the Flag Code of India, 2002, which include the following:

• The National Flag should always be placed in a position of honour and should be distinct.

• A damaged or disfigured flag shall never be displayed and can be destroyed as a whole privately.

• The National Flag of India should not be hoisted from a single masthead simultaneously with other flags.

• The Flag should not be flown over any other vehicle except for dignitaries mentioned in Section IX of Part III of the Flag Code.

• No other flag should be hoisted or placed higher than or above, or side by side with the National Flag.

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