The Flag Of India
FLAG
CODE OF
INDIA
The Indian National Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the
people of
India
. It is the symbol 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 sub-panels 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:-
| Flag Size | Dimensions |
| 1 | 6300 |
| 2 | 3600 |
| 3 | 2700 |
| 4 | 1800 |
| 5 | 1350 |
| 6 | 900 |
| 7 | 450 |
| 8 | 225 |
| 9 | 150 |
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
*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
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 Vice-President 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 half-masted 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.
