National Symbols of India Notes for Competitive Exams

The national symbols of India represent the identity, heritage and values of the nation. They include the National Flag, the State Emblem, the National Anthem, the National Song, the National Calendar and several symbols from nature such as the national animal, bird, flower, tree and river. Questions on these symbols are a regular part of SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, railway, defence and state PCS exams. UPSC Prelims has also asked about the State Emblem, the Flag Code and the origins of the anthem and song, often in statement-based form. Many of these symbols were adopted by the Constituent Assembly around the time of independence, so learning their history also strengthens your understanding of the freedom struggle and the Constitution.

Quick Facts at a Glance

1. The National Flag (Tiranga)

The National Flag of India is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesari) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom, in equal proportion. In the centre of the white band is a navy-blue wheel with 24 spokes, the Ashoka Chakra, taken from the Lion Capital at Sarnath. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is 2 : 3.

• Adopted: by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947.
• Designer: The basic design is credited to Pingali Venkayya, who presented a flag design to Gandhi in 1921; it evolved over time.
• Meaning of colours: Saffron for courage and sacrifice, white for truth and peace, green for faith, growth and fertility. The Chakra represents the "wheel of law" and the idea that there is life in movement.
• Material: Traditionally khadi; after the Flag Code amendment of 2021–22, flags made of polyester and machine-made cloth are also permitted.
• Flag Code of India, 2002: Governs display and use. Since a 2022 amendment, the flag can be flown day and night if displayed in the open by members of the public.
• Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971: Punishes disrespect to the flag, Constitution and anthem.
• In Union of India v. Naveen Jindal (2004), the Supreme Court held that flying the flag with respect is part of the freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a), subject to reasonable restrictions.

2. The State Emblem

The State Emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, near Varanasi, built around the 3rd century BCE. The original has four lions standing back to back on a circular abacus, which carries an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by wheels, all above a bell-shaped lotus.

• Adopted: 26 January 1950.
• In the emblem, only three lions are visible; the fourth is hidden from view. The bell-shaped lotus is omitted.
• The wheel (Dharma Chakra) appears in the centre of the abacus, with a bull on the right and a horse on the left.
• The motto "Satyameva Jayate" ("Truth alone triumphs"), from the Mundaka Upanishad, is inscribed below in Devanagari script.
• Its use is regulated by the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005.

3. The National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana

• Written by: Rabindranath Tagore, originally in highly Sanskritised Bengali.
• First sung: at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress on 27 December 1911.
• Adopted: by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.
• The full version has five stanzas; the first stanza is the anthem. Playing time of the full version is about 52 seconds; a short version (first and last lines) takes about 20 seconds.
• Tagore also wrote "Amar Shonar Bangla", the national anthem of Bangladesh.
• In Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986), the Supreme Court held that students who stood respectfully but did not sing the anthem due to religious belief could not be expelled.

4. The National Song: Vande Mataram

• Written by: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, in Sanskrit-Bengali; it appears in his novel Anandamath (1882).
• First sung politically: by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress.
• It became the rallying cry of the Swadeshi Movement (1905) against the partition of Bengal.
• Adopted: On 24 January 1950, Dr Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, declared that Vande Mataram would have equal status with Jana Gana Mana.
• The English translation of the first stanza is attributed to Sri Aurobindo.

5. The National Calendar

India adopted the Saka calendar, based on the Saka era, along with the Gregorian calendar, from 22 March 1957 (Chaitra 1, 1879 Saka). It was recommended by the Calendar Reform Committee headed by physicist Meghnad Saha. The year begins with the month of Chaitra, and normal years have 365 days. The Saka era is generally linked to the year 78 CE, often associated with the Kushan ruler Kanishka. Dates of this calendar are used in the Gazette of India, All India Radio news broadcasts and government communications.

6. Symbols From Nature

• National Animal – Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris): Adopted in 1973, replacing the lion, around the launch of Project Tiger. India is home to about 75% of the world's wild tigers (All India Tiger Estimation 2022: at least 3,167, with a mean estimate of about 3,682).
• National Bird – Indian Peacock (Pavo cristatus): Declared in 1963; fully protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• National Flower – Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): Symbol of purity and a sacred flower in Indian art and mythology.
• National Tree – Banyan (Ficus benghalensis): Known for its huge spreading branches and aerial roots, symbolising immortality and unity.
• National River – Ganga: Declared in 2008; the longest river flowing within India.
• National Aquatic Animal – Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica): Declared in 2009; it is nearly blind and uses echolocation. 5 October is observed as National Dolphin Day.
• National Heritage Animal – Indian Elephant: Declared in 2010 to strengthen its protection.

7. Evolution of the National Flag

The Tiranga did not appear overnight. Several flags were used during the freedom struggle before the final design was adopted.

• 1906: A flag with green, yellow and red stripes was hoisted at Parsi Bagan Square in Calcutta during the anti-partition (Swadeshi) movement.
• 1907: Madame Bhikaji Cama unfurled a flag at the International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the first times an Indian flag was raised on foreign soil.
• 1917: Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak used a flag during the Home Rule Movement.
• 1921: Pingali Venkayya presented a design with red and green, to which Gandhi suggested adding white and a spinning wheel (charkha).
• 1931: The Congress adopted a tricolour of saffron, white and green with a charkha in the centre.
• 1947: The Constituent Assembly replaced the charkha with the Ashoka Chakra and adopted the flag as the national flag.

8. Important Rules About Respecting National Symbols

Citizens are expected to show respect for national symbols, and Article 51A(a) lists respect for the Constitution, its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem as a Fundamental Duty. The Flag Code allows the public to fly the flag on all days, but it should never be displayed upside down, touch the ground or water, or be used as decoration or clothing below the waist. The flag is flown at half-mast as a mark of national mourning, on instructions from the government. When the National Anthem is played, the audience should stand to attention.

9. Practice Questions

1. Who headed the Calendar Reform Committee? Answer: Meghnad Saha.
2. In which year was Jana Gana Mana first sung? Answer: 1911, at the Calcutta session of the INC.
3. Which animal is placed on the right of the wheel in the State Emblem? Answer: A bull.
4. Which Act protects the State Emblem from misuse? Answer: The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005.

Related Notes

• Indian States, Capitals and Symbols Notes
• Mauryan Empire Notes for UPSC
• Protected Areas and Wildlife Laws Notes
• All General Awareness Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the National Flag of India adopted?

The Constituent Assembly adopted the National Flag on 22 July 1947.

How many spokes are there in the Ashoka Chakra?

The Ashoka Chakra has 24 spokes.

What is the ratio of the National Flag?

The ratio of width to length is 2 : 3.

Where is the State Emblem taken from?

It is adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.

From which text is "Satyameva Jayate" taken?

From the Mundaka Upanishad.

Who wrote the National Anthem?

Rabindranath Tagore wrote Jana Gana Mana.

How long does the National Anthem take to sing?

The full version takes about 52 seconds.

Who wrote Vande Mataram?

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, in his novel Anandamath.

Which calendar is India's National Calendar?

The Saka calendar, adopted from 22 March 1957.

When did the tiger become India's national animal?

In 1973, replacing the lion.

What is India's national aquatic animal?

The Ganges River Dolphin, declared in 2009.

Which animal is India's National Heritage Animal?

The Indian Elephant, declared in 2010.