Infographic: 26 Interesting facts about the National Flag of India
Vinayak SP
26/01/2026
The Indian flag, called TIRANGA, is full of history. Pingali Venkayya designed it. It was first raised in Calcutta in 1906. The flag used to have a spinning wheel, but now it has the Ashoka Chakra, which has 24 spokes representing hours in a day.
Infographic National Flag of India —
What are the interesting facts about the Indian flag? What are 5 facts about the flag? What does "tricolor" mean? Why are there 24 lines in the Indian flag? Check all.
Only one place, KKGSS in Karnataka, can make the flag. It must be made of Khadi cloth. The flag's shape must be in a 3:2 ratio.
You can't let the flag touch the ground or use it as clothing. Usually, it's flown from sunrise to sunset, but now it can be flown at night if lit well.
Damaged flags must be destroyed respectfully. The flag has even been to Mount Everest and space!
Explore fascinating facts about the Indian flag, Tiranga! From its design evolution and colors' meanings to rules and national pride, perfect for UPSC IAS prep. Uncover hidden stories and significance for exams and general knowledge.
26 Interesting Facts About the Indian National Flag (Tiranga)
The Tiranga
A symbol of our freedom, our pride, and our future.
The Pride of India
The National Flag of India, affectionately known to all of us as the "Tiranga" or Tricolour, is far more than just a piece of cloth woven from khadi. It is the most powerful symbol of our nation's identity, representing the hopes, dreams, and sacrifices of over a billion people. When we look at the flag, we are reminded of the long and arduous struggle for freedom led by great souls like Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and countless revolutionaries who gave their lives so that we could breathe the air of a free land.
The journey of our flag is a fascinating story of evolution. From the early designs raised in 1906 during the Partition of Bengal protests to the final form adopted by the Constituent Assembly in July 1947, every version of the flag reflected the changing mood of the nation. The current design is a masterpiece of balance and meaning. The Saffron at the top inspires us to be courageous and selfless. The White in the middle reminds us to walk the path of truth and peace. The Green at the bottom connects us to the soil of our motherland, celebrating life and abundance.
At the heart of the flag lies the Ashoka Chakra, a symbol taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. This wheel is not static; it represents dynamic movement. As Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan eloquently explained, it tells us that there is death in stagnation and life in movement. India must always be moving forward, changing, and adapting while staying rooted in its ancient values of Dharma (Law) and Truth. Today, respecting the flag is not just a legal duty under the Constitution but a moral one. It binds us together across languages, religions, and regions into one united family—India.
01
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The Ratio
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The Indian National Flag is not random in its shape. It must strictly follow a rectangular shape with a specific ratio of 3:2. This means that if the length of the flag is 3 feet, the height (or width) must be exactly 2 feet. This rule ensures that the flag looks uniform and dignified wherever it is flown, whether on a massive government building or a small table stand. Any flag that does not follow this 3:2 ratio is considered incorrect and a violation of the Flag Code.
Source: Flag Code of India, 2002
02
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Khadi Only
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For many decades, the law required that the Indian flag be made only from 'Khadi'. Khadi is a special hand-spun and hand-woven cloth made of cotton, silk, or wool. This rule was a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, who used the spinning wheel (Charkha) as a symbol of self-reliance against British rule. Until recently, making the flag from plastic or polyester was a punishable offense. However, in 2022, the rules were relaxed to allow machine-made polyester flags to encourage the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign.
Source: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
03
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One Maker
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You might be surprised to know that for a long time, there was only one authorized unit in the entire country allowed to manufacture the official National Flag. This unit is the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS), located in Hubli, Karnataka. They follow very strict quality standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). If a flag has even a minor defect in color or stitching, it is rejected. These flags are the ones used on major government buildings like the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Source: KKGSS Hubli / BIS
04
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The Designer
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The basic design of our flag is credited to Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter and agriculturist from Andhra Pradesh. He was very passionate about having a national flag for India. In 1916, he published a book with 30 different designs for an Indian flag. He presented his ideas to Mahatma Gandhi, who liked the concept. While his original design evolved over time—initially containing a spinning wheel and different colors—his contribution is the foundation of the Tiranga we salute today.
Source: Know India Portal
05
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Adoption Date
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India officially adopted the National Flag in its present form on July 22, 1947. This was a very historic moment because it happened a few weeks before we actually gained independence on August 15, 1947. The Constituent Assembly met and decided that the flag of the Congress party would be modified to become the flag of the nation. The Spinning Wheel (Charkha) was replaced by the Ashoka Chakra, but the tricolour bands were kept to maintain the spirit of the freedom struggle.
Source: Constituent Assembly Debates
06
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Meaning of Saffron
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The top band of the flag is Saffron (Kesaria). In Indian philosophy, this color is not about religion but about sacrifice and renunciation. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President, explained that Saffron represents a spirit of detachment. It reminds our political leaders that they should not be motivated by material wealth or personal gain. Instead, they must dedicate themselves to the service of the people with courage and selflessness. It stands for the strength of the nation.
Source: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan's Speech
07
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Meaning of White
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The middle band of the flag is White. This color is universally recognized as the symbol of peace, purity, and honesty. In the context of the Indian flag, the white band represents the path of truth and light. It guides the conduct of the nation and its people. It reminds us that no matter how powerful we become, we must never lose our commitment to truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa), which were the core values of our freedom struggle.
Source: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan's Speech
08
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Meaning of Green
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The bottom band is India Green. This color connects us to the earth and nature. It represents fertility, growth, and the auspiciousness of the land. Since India has traditionally been an agricultural country, the green band honors the soil and the farmers who feed the nation. It signifies that our life and prosperity depend on the plant life and the environment. It is a symbol of life itself and the vibrant energy of the country.
Source: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan's Speech
09
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The Ashoka Chakra
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In the center of the white band sits the Ashoka Chakra in navy blue. This design was taken from the Lion Capital of Emperor Ashoka at Sarnath. It is often called the "Wheel of the Law" or Dharma Chakra. When the flag was finalized, this wheel replaced Mahatma Gandhi's spinning wheel (Charkha). While the Charkha represented economic self-reliance, the Ashoka Chakra represents the ancient culture of India and the eternal rule of law and righteousness (Dharma) that holds the country together.
Source: Ministry of Culture
10
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The 24 Spokes
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The Ashoka Chakra has exactly 24 spokes, and this number is very significant. On a simple level, these spokes represent the 24 hours of the day, implying that the nation should be in motion and progress round the clock. On a deeper philosophical level, they represent the 24 virtues or 'Dharmas' such as love, peace, patience, faithfulness, and self-control. It teaches us that stagnation is death, and movement is life. India should be a dynamic, peaceful, and changing society.
Source: Ministry of Culture / Philosophy
11
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On Mt. Everest
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The Indian flag has reached the highest points on Earth. On May 29, 1953, the Indian flag was hoisted on Mount Everest for the very first time. It was carried by Tenzing Norgay, the legendary Sherpa mountaineer, along with Sir Edmund Hillary. While they also raised the Union Jack (British flag) and the Nepalese flag, seeing the Tiranga fly at the highest peak in the world was a moment of immense pride for a newly independent India.
Source: National Archives
12
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Flag in Space
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The Indian flag has not just conquered the mountains but also space. In 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space aboard a Soviet spacecraft. During this historic mission, he wore the Indian flag as a medallion on his space suit. This marked the Tiranga’s entry into the cosmos. Later, the flag also went to the moon (in the form of markings) on India's Chandrayaan missions, marking India's presence on the lunar surface.
Source: ISRO Archives
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The Legal Battle
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Did you know that common citizens were not always allowed to fly the flag freely? Before 2002, private citizens could only hoist the flag on specific national holidays. Industrialist Naveen Jindal changed history when he was stopped from flying the flag at his factory. He fought a long legal battle in the Supreme Court, arguing that flying the flag was his way of expressing love for the country. The Court agreed, and the rules were changed to allow everyone to fly the flag with dignity.
Source: Supreme Court Judgment
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Fundamental Right
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Following the landmark judgment in Naveen Jindal's case, the Supreme Court declared that the right to fly the National Flag with respect and dignity is a Fundamental Right of every citizen. It falls under Article 19(i)(a) of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the freedom of speech and expression. This means that hoisting the flag is not just a ritual; it is a protected form of expressing your patriotism and loyalty to the nation.
Source: Constitution of India
15
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First on Foreign Soil
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Long before India got independence, the desire for freedom was being expressed globally. Madame Bhikaiji Cama was a brave freedom fighter who hoisted an early version of the Indian flag on foreign soil for the first time. This happened on August 22, 1907, at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany. Her flag had eight lotuses and the words 'Vande Mataram' written on it. This act announced to the world that India was fighting for its freedom.
Source: History of Indian Freedom Struggle
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First Hoisting in India
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The first time an unofficial national flag was hoisted in India is believed to be on August 7, 1906. This event took place at Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Calcutta (now Kolkata). This flag was quite different from what we see today. It had three horizontal stripes of green, yellow, and red. It also featured eight lotuses on the top stripe, a sun and a crescent moon on the bottom, and 'Vande Mataram' written in Hindi in the center.
Source: Know India Portal
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Strict Restrictions
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The National Flag is a symbol of honor and must be treated with the utmost respect. The law strictly forbids using the flag as a portion of a costume or uniform. You cannot wear it as a sari or shirt. It is also illegal to embroider the flag on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, or undergarments. The flag cannot be used to wrap things or as a tablecloth. These rules exist to ensure that the sanctity of the national symbol is never compromised.
Source: Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971
18
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Flying Half-Mast
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You may have seen the flag flying at "half-mast" (lowered halfway down the pole) on TV news. This is done only as a sign of national mourning, usually after the death of a very high-ranking dignitary like the President or Prime Minister. However, you cannot just decide to fly it at half-mast yourself. The order must come directly from the Government of India or the President. It is a formal expression of the nation's collective grief.
Source: Flag Code of India
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Proper Disposal
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What should you do if an Indian flag becomes old, torn, or dirty? You cannot just throw it in the dustbin; that is a crime and an insult to the nation. The Flag Code states that a damaged flag must be destroyed in whole and in private. The preferred method is burning it respectfully to ensure it doesn't end up in garbage dumps. Alternatively, it can be buried. The key is to ensure that the flag is disposed of in a way that maintains its dignity even at the end.
Source: Flag Code of India
20
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Flags on Cars
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While we all love to display the flag, flying it on a vehicle (car, airplane, boat) is a special privilege restricted to a very small group of people. Only VVIPs like the President of India, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, Governors, and the Chief Justice of India are allowed to fly the flag on their official cars. For an ordinary citizen, flying an Indian flag on a personal car is actually a violation of the Flag Code.
Source: Flag Code of India
21
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Flying at Night
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Traditionally, the flag was supposed to be flown only from sunrise to sunset. It had to be lowered before it got dark. However, this rule was updated in 2009. Now, you can keep the flag flying at night, but there are conditions. The flagpole must be very tall (usually over 100 feet), and the flag must be well-illuminated with spotlights so that it is clearly visible in the dark. This allows monumental flags to fly 24/7 across the country.
Source: MHA Amendment 2009
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Largest Flags
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India is home to some truly massive flags that inspire awe. For example, a monumental flag is located in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. It measures a staggering 120 feet in length and 80 feet in width, flying atop a 360-foot tall flagpole. Maintaining such flags is a huge engineering challenge because the wind pressure at that height is immense. These monumental flags are made of special lightweight but durable material to withstand the weather while adhering to the flag code.
Source: News Reports
23
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Original Colors
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When Pingali Venkayya first presented the flag design to Mahatma Gandhi in 1921, it did not have the three colors we see today. It only had two bands: Red (representing the Hindu community) and Green (representing the Muslim community). It was Mahatma Gandhi who suggested adding a White band to represent all other communities and religions in India, ensuring the flag represented the entire nation. Later, the meanings of the colors were changed to represent values rather than religions.
Source: Young India Journal, 1921
24
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Always Highest
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Protocol dictates that the National Flag must always hold the position of honor. If other flags (like organizational flags or flags of other nations) are flown alongside it, the Indian flag must be the starting point or placed higher. No other flag or bunting can be placed above or higher than the Tricolour. Also, no object, including flowers or emblems, can be placed on or above the flagmast. This ensures the supremacy of the national symbol.
Source: Flag Code of India
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The Sarnath Lion
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The Ashoka Chakra on our flag is a direct representation of the wheel found on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. This capital was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC to mark the spot where Buddha first taught the Dharma. The Lion Capital itself was adopted as the National Emblem of India. By placing this Chakra on the flag, modern India connects its identity to its ancient history of peace, tolerance, and righteous governance.
Source: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
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Philosophy
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When presenting the flag to the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Radhakrishnan gave a beautiful philosophical meaning to the Chakra. He said that the Chakra represents the dynamism of a peaceful change. He stated, "Truth can be gained only by the pursuit of the path of Dharma." The wheel shows that India should not stand still; it should move forward with the times, but its movement should always be guided by the eternal principles of truth and virtue.
Source: Constituent Assembly Debates
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