National Symbols

Though this is very basic for upsc yet it is  one of the imp topics to study as there were three questions asked directly from the "National symbols" in upsc prelim 2014

These topics are available everywhere on internet but are scattered so having everything in one place always saves time... 

National Flag

 1.  23 June 1947, the constituent  assembly set up an adhoc committee consisting  Rajendra  Prasad ,       C Rajagopalachari , K M Munshi  and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as its members. 

 2.  14 July 1947, the committee recommended that the flag of the Indian National Congress be                  adopted  as the National Flag of India with suitable modifications, so as to make it  acceptable to       all parties and  communities of the country.

3. 14 August 1947 at the midnight session of constituent assembly the flag was presented to the   nation on behalf of the women of  India.

4. Indian National Flag is a horizontal tri-colour of deep saffron on top , white in middle  and  deep green at the bottom in equal proportions.

5. Ratio of width to length of the flag is 2:3

6. In the center of white band is a navy blue wheel which represents the wheel of dharma also  known as Ashoka Chakra.

7. The design of the wheel is that which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath lion capital of    Ashoka.

8. The navy blue wheel has 24 spokes and it shall be completely visible on both sides of the Flag  in       the centre of the white panel.

9. Saffron stands for courage ,sacrifice and renunciation,

    White stands for truth and purity

    Green is the symbol of life abundance and prosperity.

    Navy blue Chakra is the symbol of progress and of movement.

10. Designed by Pingali venkaya for Indian National Congress and adopted by  INC at karachi                 session in 1931.

11.  The only difference between the flag of INC and Indian national flag is the the charkha  being          replaced by the chakra.

12. The Indian National flag is also the war flag of the Indian Army hoisted daily on military                     installations.

13. The Heraldic description is partly per fess saffron and vert on a fess argent a chakra azure.

14. 22nd July 1947 the constituent assembly passed a resolution deciding what national flag  would be.

15. It was decided that the cloth to be used for the flag should be hand spun and hand woven  khadi.

16. The four standard length were recommended were 36,72,144 and 252 inches and width 24 ,  48 ,96, 168 inches.

17. The flags of 450 x 300 mm size are
      intended for aircrafts on VVIP flights, 225 x 150 mm size for motor-cars and 150 x 100 mm
      size for table flags.

CODE 

Display of the National Flag is governed by
1.the provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (No. 12 of 1950)
2. the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (No. 69 of 1971). 

Flag Code

1. Correct and respectful use

2. No flag or emblem should be placed above the national flag or to its right.

3. If hung in a line all flags are to be placed to the left of the  national flag.

4. when these flags are raised the national flag must be highest.

5. Normally the national flag should be flown over important government buildings only.

6. However, the use is unrestricted on certain special occasions of national rejoicing.

7. Should always be taken down in the evening. 

New Flag Code 2002

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

1. 25th Jan 2002, the new flag code was released by the govt.
2. The national flag can now be flown a top houses ,offices or shops from republic day 2002.
3. Tri colour can be hoisted on all days.
4. The flag should not touch ground or water and neither should it be draped on vehicles or printed on a costume
5. Restrictions would include use of flag for commercial gains or as a part of drapery and dress material or to cover a dais or a platform 

Flag Code of India 2002 takes effect from January 26, 2002 and supersedes the ‘Flag Code-India’ as it existed.

Whoever having already been convicted of an offence for violation of flag code , 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.

Flag  of Jammu  and  Kashmir 

The national flag of the Republic of India is for the entire country except the state of jammu n kashmir owing to article 370 of the constitution  which provides special status to the state of jammu and kashmir.

The three stripes of white on the left side represents the three geographic regions of the state, Jammu ,Kashmir valley and Ladhakh.
The J n K flag consists of a deep red field, representing labour, charged with a plough to represent agriculture.

(Source- Internet)