FLAG CODE OF INDIA
The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It is thesymbol of our national pride. Over the last five decades, several people including members of armed
forces have ungrudgingly laid down their lives to keep the tricolour flying in its full glory.
The significance of the colours and the chakra in the National Flag was amply described by
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the Constituent Assembly which unanimously adopted the National Flag.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan explained—“Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation of
disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their
work. The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide our conduct. The green shows our
relation to soil, our relation to the plant life here on which all other life depends. The Ashoka Wheel
in the center of the white is the wheel of the law of dharma. Truth or satya, dharma or virtue ought to
be the controlling principles of those who work under this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion.
There is death in stagnation. There is life in movement. India should no more resist change, it must
move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change.”
There is universal affection and respect for, and loyalty to, the National Flag. Yet, a
perceptible lack of awareness is often noticed, not only amongst people but also in the
organisations/agencies of the government, in regard to laws, practices and conventions that apply to
the display of the National Flag. Apart from non-statutory instructions issued by the Government
from time to time, display of the National Flag is governed by the provisions of the Emblems and
Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (No.12 of 1950) and the Prevention of Insults to
National Honour Act, 1971 (No. 69 of 1971). Flag Code of India, 2002 is an attempt to bring together
all such laws, conventions, practices and instructions for the guidance and benefit of all concerned.
For the sake of convenience, Flag Code of India, 2002, has been divided into three parts. Part I
of the Code contains general description of the National Flag. Part II of the Code is devoted to the
display of the National Flag by members of public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc.
Part III of the Code relates to display of the National Flag by Central and State governments and their
organisations and agencies.
Flag Code of India, 2002, takes effect from January 26, 2002 and supersedes the ‘Flag Code –
India’ as it existed.
.
PART I
GENERAL
1.1 The National Flag shall be a tri-colour panel made up of three rectangular panels or subpanels
of equal widths. The colour of the top panel shall be India saffron (Kesari) and that of the
bottom panel shall be India green. The middle panel shall be white, bearing at its centre the design of
Ashoka Chakra in navy blue colour with 24 equally spaced spokes. The Ashoka Chakra shall
preferably be screen printed or otherwise printed or stenciled or suitably embroidered and shall be
completely visible on both sides of the Flag in the centre of the white panel.
1.2 The National Flag of India shall be made of hand spun and hand woven wool/cotton/silk
khadi bunting.
1.3 The National Flag shall be rectangular in shape. The ratio of the length to the height (width)
of the Flag shall be 3:2.
1.4 The standard sizes of the National Flag shall be as follows:-
1.5 An appropriate size should be chosen for display. The flags of 450X300 mm size are intended
for aircrafts on VVIP flights, 225X150 mm size for motor-cars and 150X100 mm size for table flags.
PART II
HOISTING/DISPLAY/USE OF NATIONAL FLAG BY MEMBERS OF PUBLIC, PRIVATE
ORGANISATIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ETC.
SECTION I
2.1 There shall be no restriction on the display of the National Flag by members of
general public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc., except to the extent
provided in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950* and
Flag Size No. Dimensions in mm
1 6300 X 4200
2 3600 X 2400
3 2700 X 1800
4 1800 X 1200
5 1350 X 900
6 900 X 600
7 450 X 300
8 225 X 150
9 150 X 100
*The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.
Section 2: In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:-
(a) “emblem” means any emblem, seal, flag, insignia, coat-of-arms or pictorial
representation specified in the Schedule.
Section 3: Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, no person
shall, except in such cases and under such conditions as may be prescribed by the
Central Government, use, or continue to use, for the purpose of any trade, business,
calling or profession, or in the title of any patent, or in any trade mark of design, any
name or emblem specified in the Schedule or any colourable imitation thereof without
the previous permission of the Central Government or of such officer of Government
as may be authorised in this behalf by the Central Government.
NOTE: The Indian National Flag has been specified as an emblem in the Schedule to the Act.
the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971** and any other law enacted on the
subject. Keeping in view the provisions of the aforementioned Acts -
(i) the Flag shall not be used for commercial purposes in violation of the Emblem and
Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950;
(ii) the Flag shall not be dipped in salute to any person or thing;
**THE PREVENTION OF INSULTS TO NATIONAL HONOUR ACT, 1971
(Amended by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2003)
Whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates,
defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into
contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag………. or
any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or
with fine, or with both.
Explanation 1. – Comments expressing disapprobation or criticism of the ………Indian National Flag
or an alteration of the Indian National Flag by lawful means do not constitute an offence under this
section.
Explanation 2. – The expression, "Indian National Flag" includes any picture, painting, drawing or
photograph, or other visible representation of the Indian National Flag, or of any part or parts thereof,
made of any substance or represented on any substance.
Explanation 3. – The expression "Public place" means any place intended for use by, or accessible to,
the public and includes any public conveyance.
Explanation 4. – The disrespect to the Indian National Flag means and includes-
(a) a gross affront or indignity offered to the Indian National Flag; or
(b) dipping the Indian National Flag in salute to any person or thing; or
(c) flying the Indian National Flag at half-mast except on occasions on which the Flag is
flown at half-mast on public buildings in accordance with the instructions issued by the
Government; or
(d) using the Indian National Flag as a drapery in any form whatsoever except in state
funerals or armed forces or other para-military forces funerals; or
(e) using the Indian National Flag as a portion of costume or uniform of any description or
embroidering or printing it on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins or any dress material; or
(f) putting any kind of inscription upon the Indian National Flag; or
(g) using the Indian National Flag as a receptacle for receiving, delivering or carrying
anything except flower petals before the Indian National Flag is unfurled as part of
celebrations on special occasions including the Republic Day or the Independences Day;
or
(h) using the Indian National Flag as covering for a statue or a monument or a speaker's desk
or a speaker's platform; or
(i) allowing the Indian National Flag to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water
intentionally; or
(j) draping the Indian National Flag over the hood, top, and sides or back or on a vehicle,
train, boat or an aircraft or any other similar object; or
(k) using the Indian National Flag as a covering for a building; or
(l) intentionally displaying the Indian National Flag with the "saffron" down.
3A. MINIMUM PENALTY ON SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENCE
Whoever having already been convicted of an offence under section 2………. is again
convicted of any such offence shall be punishable for the second and for every subsequent
offence, with imprisonment for a term, which shall not be less than one year.
(iii) the Flag shall not be flown at half-mast except on occasions on which the Flag is
flown at half-mast on public buildings in accordance with the instructions issued by
the Government;
(iv) the Flag shall not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever, including private
funerals;
(v) the Flag shall not be used as a portion of costume or uniform of any description nor
shall it be embroidered or printed upon cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins or any dress
material;
(vi) lettering of any kind shall not be put upon the Flag;
(vii) the Flag shall not be used as a receptacle for receiving, delivering, holding or carrying
anything;
provided that there shall be no objection to keeping flower petals inside the Flag
before it is unfurled as part of celebrations on special occasions and on National Days
like the Republic Day and the Independence Day;
(viii) when used on occasions like unveiling of a statue, the Flag shall be displayed
distinctly and separately and it shall not be used as a covering for the statue or
monument;
(ix) the Flag shall not be used to cover a speaker’s desk nor shall it be draped over a
speaker’s platform;
(x) the Flag shall not be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in
water;
(xi) the Flag shall not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, train, boat
or an aircraft;
(xii) the Flag shall not be used as a covering for a building; and
(xiii) the Flag shall not be intentionally displayed with the “saffron” down.
2.2 A member of public, a private organization or an educational institution may
hoist/display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise. Consistent
with the dignity and honour of the National Flag -
(i) whenever the National Flag is displayed, it should occupy the position of honour and
should be distinctly placed;
(ii) a damaged or dishevelled Flag should not be displayed;
(iii) the Flag should not be flown from a single masthead simultaneously with any other
flag or flags;
(iv) the Flag should not be flown on any vehicle except in accordance with the provisions
contained in Section IX of Part III of this Code;
(v) when the Flag is displayed on a speaker’s platform, it should be flown on the
speaker’s right as he faces the audience or flat against the wall, above and behind the
speaker;
(vi) when the Flag is displayed flat and horizontal on a wall, the saffron band should be
upper most and when displayed vertically, the saffron band shall be on the right with
reference to the Flag (i.e. left to the person facing the Flag);
(vii) to the extent possible, the Flag should conform to the specifications prescribed in Part
I of this Code.
(viii) no other flag or bunting should be placed higher than or above or side by side with
the National Flag; nor should any object including flowers or garlands or emblem be
placed on or above the Flag-mast from which the Flag is flown;
(ix) the Flag should not be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting or in any other manner for
decoration;
(x) the Flag made of paper may be waved by public on occasions of important national,
cultural and sports events. However, such paper Flags should not be discarded or
thrown on the ground after the event. As far as possible, it should be disposed of in
private consistent with the dignity of the Flag;
(xi) where the Flag is displayed in open, it should, as far as possible, be flown from
sunrise to sunset, irrespective of weather conditions;
(xii) the Flag should not be displayed or fastened in any manner as may damage it; and
(xiii) when the Flag is in a damaged or soiled condition, it shall be destroyed as a whole in
private, preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of
the Flag.
SECTION II
2.3 The National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports
camps, scout camps, etc.) to inspire respect for the Flag. A model set of instructions for
guidance is given below -
(i) The School will assemble in open square formation with pupils forming the three
sides and the Flag-staff at the centre of the fourth side. The Headmaster, the pupil
leader and the person unfurling the Flag (if other than the Headmaster) will stand three
paces behind the Flag-staff.
(ii) 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.
(iii) The distance between each row should be at least one pace (30 inches); and the space
between Form and Form should be the same.
(iv) 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.
(v) 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.
(vi) The Flag Salutation will be followed by the National Anthem. The parade will be
kept at the attention during this part of the function.
(vii) 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.
(viii) 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 Socialist Secular
Democratic Republic for which it stands.”
PART. III
HOISTING/DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL FLAG BY THE CENTRAL AND STATE
GOVERNMENTS AND THEIR ORGANISATIONS AND AGENCIES.
SECTION I
DEFENCE INSTALLATIONS/HEADS OF MISSIONS/POSTS
3.1 The provisions of this Part shall not apply to Defence Installations that have their own
rule for display of the National Flag.
3.2 The National Flag may also be flown on the Headquarters and the residences of the
Heads of Missions/Posts abroad in the countries where it is customary for diplomatic and
consular representatives to fly their National Flags on the Headquarters and their official
residences.
SECTION II
OFFICIAL DISPLAY
3.3 Subject to the provisions contained in Section I above, it shall be mandatory for all
Governments and their organisations/agencies to follow the provisions contained in this Part.
3.4 On all occasions for official display, only the Flag conforming to specifications laid
down by the Bureau of Indian Standards and bearing their standard mark shall be used. On
other occasions also, it is desirable that only such Flags of appropriate size are flown.
SECTION III
CORRECT DISPLAY
3.5 Wherever the Flag is flown, it should occupy the position of honour and be distinctly
placed.
3.6 Where the practice is to fly the Flag on any public building, it shall be flown on that
building on all days including Sundays and holidays and, except as provided in this Code, it
shall be flown from sun-rise to sun-set 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.
3.7 The Flag 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.
3.8 When the Flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from a
windowsill, balcony, or front of a building, the saffron band shall be at the farther end of the
staff.
3.9 When the Flag is displayed flat and horizontal on a wall, the saffron band shall be
upper most and when displayed vertically, the saffron band shall be to the right with reference
to the Flag, i.e., it may be to the left of a person facing it.
3.10 When the Flag is displayed on a speaker’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.
3.11 When used on occasions like the unveiling of a statue, the Flag shall be displayed
distinctly and separately.
3.12 When the Flag is displayed alone on a motor car, it shall be flown from a staff, which
should be affixed firmly either on the middle front of the bonnet or to the front right side of
the car.
3.13 When the Flag is carried in a procession or a parade, it shall be either on the marching
right, i.e. the Flag’s own right, or if there is a line of other flags, in front of the centre of the
line.
SECTION IV
INCORRECT DISPLAY
3.14 A damaged or disheveled Flag shall not be displayed.
3.15 The Flag shall not be dipped in salute to any person or thing.
3.16 No other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or, except as hereinafter
provided, side by side with the National Flag; nor shall any object including flowers or
garlands or emblem be placed on or above the Flag-mast from which the Flag is flown.
3.17 The Flag shall not be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting or in any other manner for
decoration.
3.18 The Flag shall not be used to cover a speaker’s desk nor shall it be draped over a
speaker’s platform.
3.19 The Flag shall not be displayed with the “saffron” down.
3.20 The Flag shall not be allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water.
3.21 The Flag shall not be displayed or fastened in any manner as may damage it.
SECTION V
MISUSE
3.22 The Flag shall not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever except in
State/Military/Central Para military Forces funerals hereinafter provided.
3.23 The Flag shall not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, train or
boat.
3.24 The Flag shall not be used or stored in such a manner as may damage or soil it.
3.25 When the Flag is in a damaged or soiled condition, it shall 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.
3.26 The Flag shall not be used as a covering for a building.
3.27 The Flag shall not be used as a portion of a costume or uniform of any description. It
shall not be embroidered or printed upon cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins or boxes.
3.28 Lettering of any kind shall not be put upon the Flag.
3.29 The Flag shall not be used in any form of advertisement nor shall an advertising sign
be fastened to the pole from which the Flag is flown.
3.30 The Flag shall not be used as a receptacle for receiving, delivering, holding or carrying
anything.
Provided that there shall be no objection to keeping flower petals inside the Flag
before it is unfurled, as part of celebrations on special occasions and on National Days
like the Republic Day and the Independence Day.
SECTION VI
SALUTE
3.31 During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the Flag or when the Flag is passing in a
parade or in a review, all persons present should face the Flag and stand at 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.
SECTION VII
DISPLAY WITH FLAGS OF OTHER NATIONS AND OF UNITED NATIONS
3.32 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 center of the row of the
flags facing the audience, the National Flag should be to his extreme right. The
position is illustrated in the diagram below:-
3.33 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 National Flag in the normal countrywise alphabetical order.
The National Flag shall be hoisted first and lowered last.
3.34 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 clause of this Section. 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.
3.35 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. The position is illustrated in the diagram
below:-
3.36 When the United Nation’s Flag is flown along with the National Flag, it can be
displayed on either side of the National Flag. 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). The position is
illustrated in the diagram below:-
3.37 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.
3.38 The National Flag shall not be flown from a single mast-head simultaneously with any
other flag or flags. There shall be separate mast-heads for different flags.
SECTION VIII
DISPLAY OVER PUBLIC BUILDINGS / OFFICIAL RESIDENCES
3.39 Normally the National Flag should be flown only on important public buildings such
as High Courts, Secretariats, Commissioners’ Offices, Collectorates, Jails and offices
of the District Boards, Municipalities and Zilla Parishads and Departmental/Public
Sector Undertakings.
3.40 In frontier areas, the National Flag may be flown on the border customs posts, check
posts, out posts and at other special places where flying of the Flag has special
significance. In addition, it may be flown on the camp sites of border patrols.
3.41 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. However, the Flag should be flown
from sun-rise to sun-set on such official residences, irrespective of whether the
dignitary is at Headquarters or not on the - Republic Day, Independence Day,
Mahatama Gandhi’s Birthday, National Week (6th to 13th April, in the memory of
martyrs of Jalianwala Bagh), any other particular day of national rejoicing as may be
specified by the Government of India or, in the case of a State, on the anniversary of
formation of that State.
3.42 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.
3.43 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 contained in Section VII 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.
SECTION IX
DISPLAY ON MOTOR CARS
3.44 The privilege of flying the National Flag on motor cars is limited to the:-
(1) President;
(2) Vice-President;
(3) Governors and Lieutenant Governors;
(4) Heads of Indian Missions/Posts abroad in the countries to which they are
accredited;
(5) Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers;
Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers of the Union;
Chief Minister and other Cabinet Ministers of a State or Union Territory;
Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers of a State or Union Territory;
(6) 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;
(7) Chief Justice of India;
Judges of Supreme Court;
Chief Justice of High Courts;
Judges of High Courts.
3.45 The dignitaries mentioned in Clauses (5 ) to (7) of paragraph 3.44 may fly the National
Flag on their cars, whenever they consider it necessary or advisable.
3.46 When a foreign dignitary travels in a car provided by Government, the National Flag
will be flown on the right side of the car and the Flag of the foreign countries will be
flown on the left side of the car.
SECTION X
DISPLAY ON TRAINS / AIRCRAFTS
3.47 When the President travels by special train within the country, the National Flag
should be flown from the driver’s cab on the side facing the platform of the station
from where the train departs. The Flag should be flown only when the special train is
stationary or when coming into the station where it is going to halt.
3.48 The National Flag will be flown on the aircraft carrying the President, the VicePresident
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 enroute, the National Flags of the countries touched would be flown instead,
as a gesture of courtesy and goodwill.
3.49 When the President goes on tour within India, the National Flag will be displayed on
the side by which the President will embark the aircraft or disembark from it.
SECTION XI
HALF-MASTING
3.50 In the event of the death of the following dignitaries, the National Flag shall be halfmasted
at the places indicated against each on the day of the death of the dignitary:-
Dignitary Place or places
President
Vice-President Throughout India
Prime Minister
Speaker of the Lok Sabha Delhi
Chief Justice of India
Union Cabinet Minister Delhi and State Capitals
Minister of State or Deputy Minister of the Union Delhi
Governor
Lt. Governor
Chief Minister of a State Throughout the State or Union
Chief Minister of a Union territory territory concerned.
Cabinet Minister in a State Capital of the State concerned.
3.51 If the intimation of the death of any dignitary is received in the afternoon, the Flag
shall be half-masted on the following day also at the place or places indicated above,
provided the funeral has not taken place before sun-rise on that day.
3.52 On the day of the funeral of a dignitary mentioned above, the Flag shall be half-masted
at the place where the funeral takes place.
3.53 If State mourning is to be observed on the death of any dignitary, the 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.
3.54 Half-masting of the Flag and, where necessary, observance of State mourning on the
death of foreign dignitaries will be governed by special instructions which will issue
from the Ministry of Home Affairs in individual cases.
3.55 Notwithstanding the above provisions, in the event of a half-mast day coinciding with
the Republic Day, Independence Day, Mahatama Gandhi’s Birthday, National Week
(6th to 13th April, in the memory of martyrs of Jalianwala Bagh), any other particular
day of national rejoicing as may be specified by the Government of India or, in the
case of a State, on the anniversary of formation of that State, the Flags shall not be
flown at half-mast except over the building where the body of the deceased is lying
until such time it has been removed and that Flag shall be raised to the full-mast
position after the body has been removed.
3.56 If mourning were to be observed in a parade or procession where a Flag is carried, two
streamers of black crepe shall be attached to the spear head, allowing the streamers to
fall naturally. The use of black crepe in such a manner shall be only by an order of the
Government.
3.57 When flown at half-mast, the Flag shall be hoisted to the peak for an instant, then
lowered to the half-mast position, but before lowering the Flag for the day, it shall 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.
3.58 On occasions of State/Military/Central Para-Military Forces funerals, the Flag shall be
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 in the pyre.
3.59 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 Republic Day, Independence Day,
Mahatama Gandhi’s Birthday, National Week (6th to 13th April, in the memory of
martyrs of Jalianwala Bagh) or any other particular day of national rejoicing as may be
specified by the Government of India. 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.
