🇮🇳 Chapter 01 · Topic 01 · National Symbols

National Flag & National Emblem

Tricolour design, Ashoka Chakra, Flag Code; Lion Capital of Ashoka, Satyameva Jayate — complete UPSC & PSC notes.

🚩 National Flag of India

The national flag of India is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (top), white (middle), and India green (bottom)
In the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel (Ashoka Chakra) with 24 spokes
The flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947
The ratio of width to length of the flag is 2:3
The flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya (from Andhra Pradesh)
The Ashoka Chakra is taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath

🎨 Significance of Colours

Colour	Significance
Deep Saffron (Kesari)	Courage, sacrifice, and the spirit of renunciation
White	Peace, truth, and purity; also represents the Dharma Chakra
India Green	Faith, fertility, and prosperity of the land
Navy Blue (Chakra)	The colour of the sky and ocean; represents the dynamic nature of the nation

☸️ Ashoka Chakra

The Ashoka Chakra has 24 spokes representing the 24 hours of the day (the nation is always progressing)
Also represents the Dharmachakra (Wheel of Law/Dharma) from Buddhism
Taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
The chakra must be visible on both sides of the flag
The diameter of the Ashoka Chakra is approximately 3/4 of the width of the white band

⭐ Flag Code of India, 2002: The Flag Code of India, 2002 governs the display and use of the national flag. Key provisions: (1) The flag must be made of khadi (hand-spun/hand-woven wool, cotton, or silk); (2) The flag must not touch the ground or water; (3) No other flag can be placed higher than the national flag; (4) The flag can be flown at half-mast only on occasions of national mourning as directed by the government; (5) Since 2022, the flag can be flown 24 hours a day (earlier only from sunrise to sunset). The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certifies flag manufacturers.

🦁 National Emblem of India

The national emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
The original Lion Capital was erected by Emperor Ashoka (~250 BCE) to mark the site of the Buddha’s first sermon
The emblem was adopted on 26 January 1950 (the day India became a Republic)
The emblem shows four lions (only three visible) standing back to back on a circular abacus
The abacus has a Dharma Chakra in the centre, flanked by a bull (right) and a horse (left); a lion and an elephant are on the outer sides
Below the abacus is the motto: “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth Alone Triumphs) — taken from the Mundaka Upanishad
The motto is inscribed in Devanagari script

📌 Animals on the National Emblem: The abacus of the Lion Capital has four animals representing the four cardinal directions: Bull (east — represents hard work and steadfastness), Horse (west — represents speed and energy), Elephant (south — represents wisdom and strength), Lion (north — represents courage and power). The Dharma Chakra in the centre represents the eternal wheel of law.

✅ Revision Checklist — Flag & Emblem

✅ National flag = horizontal tricolour = saffron + white + green = ratio 2:3
✅ Adopted = 22 July 1947 by Constituent Assembly
✅ Designed by = Pingali Venkayya (Andhra Pradesh)
✅ Ashoka Chakra = navy blue = 24 spokes = centre of white band
✅ Saffron = courage/sacrifice; White = peace/truth; Green = faith/fertility
✅ Flag must be made of khadi (Flag Code 2002)
✅ National emblem = Lion Capital of Ashoka = Sarnath = ~250 BCE
✅ Adopted = 26 January 1950
✅ Four lions (3 visible) + abacus with bull, horse, elephant, lion + Dharma Chakra
✅ Satyameva Jayate = “Truth Alone Triumphs” = Mundaka Upanishad = Devanagari script