Explained: What are the rules for displaying the National Flag?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What are the rules for displaying the National Flag?” published in Indian Express on 13th August 2022.

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There are a number of rules surrounding the act of hoisting or displaying the National Flag. These instructions are contained in the Flag Code of India 2002 and upheld by the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act,1971.

What are the rules for displaying the National Flag?

Who is allowed to fly a national flag and on which days? Any person, organization, private or public, or educational institution (including scout camps) can hoist or display the Tricolour on all days or occasions in accordance with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.

Choosing the flag: The flag can be as big or small as one wants but the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the National Flag shall be 3:2. So, the flag must always be a rectangle rather than a square or any other shape. 

Material of the Flag: The material of the flag can be handspun and handwoven or machine-made, cotton, polyester, wool, silk or khadi bunting.

Damaged flag: It is against rules to display a damaged or disheveled National Flag. Moreover, no other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag.

Is it ok to wear the Flag in a display of love for the nation? A person is forbidden by law to use the national flag as a portion of a costume or uniform.

Flag on a vehicle: The National Flag cannot be flown on any vehicle except those of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governor and other dignitaries. 

What should one do with the flag after Independence Day? The flag should not be stored in a way that might dirty or damage it. In case the flag is damaged, the Flag Code instructs the person not to cast it aside or treat it disrespectfully but destroy it as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any method consistent with the dignity of the flag.

Punishment for disrespecting the flag: According to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag, the person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine or with both.