The Flag Code of India 2002 is the master set of rules governing how the Tiranga is displayed, alongside the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971, which makes disrespect a punishable offence. Together they fix the flag's 3:2 proportion, saffron on top, the navy-blue 24-spoke Ashoka Chakra at the centre, and the difference between hoisting and unfurling.
Quick Facts: The Flag Code at a Glance
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Governing documents | Flag Code of India 2002; Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 |
| Proportion (ratio) | Length to height of 3:2 |
| Colour order | Saffron (top), white (middle), India green (bottom) — horizontal |
| Central emblem | Ashoka Chakra, navy blue, 24 spokes, centred on the white band |
| Independence Day (15 Aug) | Flag is hoisted — raised from the bottom of the pole |
| Republic Day (26 Jan) | Flag is unfurled — already tied at the top, then opened |
| Materials permitted | Handspun/handwoven and, since the 2021 amendment, machine-made and polyester flags |
| Night display | Permitted (2022 amendment) when flown in the open on a house, day and night |
| Authoritative source | Official text published by the Ministry of Home Affairs |
This guide summarises the rules in plain English for everyday citizens, schools, offices and members of the diaspora. It is a practical explainer, not a substitute for the law — for any specific question you should always consult the official text of the Flag Code of India 2002 as published by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Two Legal Anchors
Two instruments govern the national flag, and it helps to understand what each one does.
- The Flag Code of India 2002 — a consolidated set of instructions and conventions on how the flag is manufactured, displayed and handled. It brings together earlier rules and later executive orders. It is not, in itself, a criminal statute; it sets the standard of correct practice.
- The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 — an Act of Parliament that makes it a punishable offence to burn, mutilate, deface, defile, trample upon or otherwise show disrespect to the national flag. This is the law that gives the standards their teeth.
The Flag Code was amended in 2021 to allow additional materials and again in 2022 to permit round-the-clock display in specified conditions. Those changes are covered below.
What a Correct Tiranga Looks Like
A flag that complies with the Code has fixed, non-negotiable features:
- Proportion: the ratio of length to height (width) is 3:2. A flag that is square or oddly stretched is not compliant.
- Colour order: three horizontal bands of equal width — India saffron at the top, white in the middle and India green at the bottom. The saffron must always be uppermost when the flag is displayed flat or horizontally.
- The Ashoka Chakra: a wheel in navy blue placed in the centre of the white band. It has exactly 24 spokes. The Chakra should appear on both sides of the flag, and its centre should align with the centre of the white band.
Getting the number of spokes, the colour order or the proportion wrong produces an incorrect flag that should not be flown as the national flag.
Permitted Materials — Including the 2021 Amendment
For decades the national flag was required to be made of hand-spun and hand-woven wool, cotton or silk khadi. The Code was amended in 2021 to broaden this. Under the current rules, the flag may be:
- Hand-spun and hand-woven, as traditionally specified; or
- Machine-made; and
- Made of cotton, polyester, wool, silk or khadi bunting.
This means polyester and machine-made flags are now permitted, which made affordable flags widely available for citizen campaigns. Whatever the material, the proportion, colour order and 24-spoke Chakra requirements still apply.
Display at Night — The 2022 Amendment
A long-standing convention was that the flag should be flown only between sunrise and sunset. A 2022 amendment changed this for one common situation: where the flag is displayed in the open on a member of the public's house, it may be flown day and night. This underpinned home-flag campaigns during the anniversary period. In other settings, traditional sunrise-to-sunset timing and the specific conditions in the official text continue to apply, so check the Ministry of Home Affairs wording for your exact scenario.
Hoisting vs Unfurling — Get the Verb Right
These two words are not interchangeable, and the distinction matters especially around the national days.
| Occasion | Action | What happens on the pole |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Day (15 August) | Hoisting (dhwajarohan) | The flag is tied at the bottom of the pole and raised up, then unfurled — symbolising the nation rising. |
| Republic Day (26 January) | Unfurling (dhwaj-avataran style) | The flag is already fastened at the top of the pole and is simply opened out. |
So on 15 August 2026 — which falls on a Saturday and marks the 80th Independence Day, completing 79 years of independence — the correct term is flag hoisting. If you are unsure why it is the 80th and not the 79th, our explainer on the 80th versus 79th Independence Day question breaks down the maths cleanly.
Half-Mast: The Basics
Flying the flag at half-mast is a mark of national mourning and is done only on occasions and for the persons notified by the government. The core mechanics under the Code are straightforward:
- The flag is first raised to the top of the pole, then lowered to the half-mast position.
- Before being taken down for the day, it is again raised to the top, then lowered.
- The half-mast position is generally understood as the flag flying below the peak by roughly the width of the flag.
- On days of mourning notified by the government, the flag flies at half-mast at the specified buildings.
Because half-mast rules are tied to official notifications, always follow the current instruction from the competent authority rather than acting on assumption.
Prohibited Uses — What You Must Never Do
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 and the Flag Code list uses that show disrespect and are not permitted. Treat the following as a firm "do not" checklist:
- ☐ Do not use the flag as drapery in any form, or as a covering for a table, lectern or platform.
- ☐ Do not use it as a costume, uniform or clothing, or embroider it onto cushions, handkerchiefs or dress material.
- ☐ Do not use it as napkins, wrapping or packaging for anything.
- ☐ Do not print or emboss the flag on goods, boxes or disposable items.
- ☐ Do not use it as single-use decoration that will be discarded, trampled or littered afterwards.
- ☐ Do not let the flag touch the ground, water or the floor, or trail behind a vehicle.
- ☐ Do not write or mark anything on the flag, or fly a damaged or soiled flag.
- ☐ Do not display the flag upside down (saffron must never be at the bottom).
When paper flags are handed out at events, they should not be discarded on the ground after the celebration. If you want the full list of dos and don'ts and how they connect to the anniversary, see our Independence Day 2026 pillar guide.
Respectful Disposal of a Damaged Flag
A flag that is torn, faded, soiled or otherwise damaged is described as being in a "damaged or dishevelled" condition and must not be flown. It should be disposed of privately and with dignity — traditionally by respectful burning in a manner befitting its status, or by a dignified disposal that keeps it whole and out of public sight. Because the accepted methods have specific expectations, we cover them step by step in our dedicated guide on how to dispose of a national flag respectfully.
For NRIs and the Diaspora
Members of the Indian diaspora often want to fly the Tiranga for Independence Day. The same principles of respect apply wherever you are, though local laws of your country of residence also govern flag display on your property. If you plan to watch the Red Fort ceremony live, remember it airs early-morning IST — which for the United States is the evening of 14 August local time. Our Red Fort ceremony timings worldwide converter and our Independence Day 2026 NRI guide walk through celebration ideas, timings and etiquette abroad.
Always Check the Official Text
This article is a practical summary. The rules contain conditions, exceptions and detail that a short guide cannot fully reproduce, and amendments are issued from time to time. For anything you intend to rely on — an official event, a school function, a public installation — consult the official text of the Flag Code of India 2002 as published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, together with the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971.