The Indian National Flag

The Indian flag is a horizontal tricolour made up of three colors—saffron, white, and green—with a navy-blue Ashoka Chakra placed in the center of the white band.

History

The national flag of India was officially adopted on 22 July 1947 by the Constituent Assembly. Its design was developed from earlier flags used during India’s struggle for independence, symbolizing the nation’s journey toward freedom.

Design and Proportions

The flag follows a fixed proportion where the length is three times the height in the ratio of 3:2. All three colored bands are of equal width. The Ashoka Chakra, with 24 spokes, is printed in navy blue and placed at the center of the white stripe.

Ashoka Chakra

The Ashoka Chakra stands for the wheel of law (Dharma). It represents justice, truth, and continuous progress, reminding citizens to move forward on the path of righteousness.

Flag Etiquette

The Indian flag must always be treated with dignity and respect.

• It should never touch the ground or water.

• When displayed horizontally, the saffron band must be at the top.

• When displayed vertically, the saffron band should be on the left.

Important Flag Days

The Indian flag is especially displayed on national occasions such as:

• 26 January — Republic Day

• 15 August — Independence Day

• 2 October — Gandhi Jayanti