The Flag Code of India: Rules for Displaying the National Flag
Updated for Independence Day 2026
The Flag Code of India is the set of official rules governing how the Indian national flag should be manufactured, displayed, and handled. It applies to individuals, institutions, and government offices alike, and understanding it matters most around occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day, when flag display is at its highest.
What is the Flag Code of India?
The Flag Code of India, 2002, consolidates the laws, conventions, and practices governing the display of the national flag. It replaced earlier, more restrictive rules and — notably, after a 2002 Supreme Court judgment — extended the right to fly the national flag to private citizens on their own premises, not just government buildings.
When can the national flag be flown?
Since the 2002 revision, private citizens, institutions, and organizations may hoist the national flag on any day, not only national holidays, provided the rules on dignity and display are respected. This is one of the most common misconceptions people have — many still assume the flag can only be flown on Independence Day or Republic Day.
What are the basic rules for hoisting the flag?
The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
It must never touch the ground or water while being raised or lowered.
It should not be flown upside down, and the saffron band must always be on top.
It should not be used as a drapery, costume, or decoration on vehicles other than in specifically permitted ceremonial contexts.
Once damaged, soiled, or faded, the flag should be disposed of privately and with dignity — typically by burning or burial in a manner that avoids public disrespect, not discarded as ordinary waste.
What size and material rules apply?
The Flag Code specifies proportions (length to height in a 3:2 ratio) and traditionally required khadi/hand-spun cotton or silk for official flags, though machine-made polyester and other materials are now widely used and accepted for general display, provided the flag's proportions and colors meet specification.
What happens if the flag is displayed incorrectly?
Under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, disrespecting the national flag — including improper display, disfigurement, or destruction in a disrespectful manner — can carry legal penalties. This is a separate law from the Flag Code itself, but the two are closely linked: the Flag Code tells you how to display the flag correctly, and the 1971 Act penalizes doing so disrespectfully.
Buying a Flag Code–compliant flag
Choosing a flag manufactured to correct proportions and durable materials makes it easier to follow the Flag Code in practice — a flag that fades, tears, or loses shape quickly is harder to display with the dignity the Code calls for.
Browse our National Flags collection for flags built to correct specifications, or see our Independence Day Flags page for seasonal options and our Har Ghar Tiranga buying guide for help choosing the right one for your home.
