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This is a list of flags used in [[India]] by various organizations.
This is a list of flags used in [[India]] by various organizations.


== National flag ==
==National flag==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
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| [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Indian Army]] || A red field with the flag of India in the canton, and the Army badge in the fly
| [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Indian Army]] || A red field with the flag of India in the canton, and the Army badge in the fly
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag of Field marshal (India).png|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Field marshal (India)|Field Marshal]]|| A red flag with the national emblem over two crossed batons in a lotus blossom wreath.
| [[File:Flag of Field Marshal.jpg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Field marshal (India)|Field Marshal]]|| A red flag with the national emblem over two crossed batons in a lotus blossom wreath.
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag COAS.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]||
| [[File:Flag COAS.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]||
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| [[File:Flag of Indian Lieutenant Generals, Army Headquarters.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]]||
| [[File:Flag of Indian Lieutenant Generals, Army Headquarters.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Lieutenant general (India)|Lieutenant General]]||
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag of Indian Major Generals, Army Headquarters.png|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Major general (India)|Major General]]||
| [[File:Flag of Major General.png|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Major general (India)|Major General]]||
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag of Indian Brigade command, Army Headquarters.png|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]||
| [[File:Flag of Brigadier.png|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]||
|}
|}


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| [[File:Flag of the Garwhal Rifles.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of [[Garhwal Rifles]]||
| [[File:Flag of the Garwhal Rifles.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of [[Garhwal Rifles]]||
|-
|-
| [[File:Northern-Command-Indian Army-flag.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]||
| [[File:Flag of the Northern Command (India).jpg|border|150px]] || || Flag of [[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]||
|-
|-
| [[File:In^punjb.gif|border|150px]] || || Flag of [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]]||
| [[File:Punjab Regiment Flag.jpg|border|150px]] || || Flag of [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]]||
|-
|-
| [[File:In^14corps.gif|border|150px]] || || Flag of [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]]||
| [[File:In^14corps.gif|border|150px]] || || Flag of [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]]||
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| [[File:Indian Coast Guard flag.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Director General of the Indian Coast Guard]] || A [[Blue Ensign]] with the Flag of India in the canton, and the Coast Guard badge in the fly
| [[File:Indian Coast Guard flag.svg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the [[Director General of the Indian Coast Guard]] || A [[Blue Ensign]] with the Flag of India in the canton, and the Coast Guard badge in the fly
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag of ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR GENERAL of ICG.jpg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard ||
| [[File:Flag of Additional Director General.jpg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard ||
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag Inspector GENERAL of ICG.jpg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard ||
| [[File:Flag of Inspector General.jpg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard ||
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag of Indian Coast Guard Inspector General.png|border|150px]] || || Flag of the Deputy Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard ||
| [[File:Flag of Deputy Inspector General.jpg|border|150px]] || || Flag of the Deputy Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard ||
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag of Indian Coast Guard Commandant.png|border|150px]] || || Flag of the Commandant of the Indian Coast Guard ||
| [[File:Flag of Commandant.png|border|150px]] || || Flag of the Commandant of the Indian Coast Guard ||
|}
|}


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===Banners of the states and union territories===
===Banners of the states and union territories===
{{main|List of Indian state flags}}
When a distinctive banner is required to represent a state or union territory, the [[List of Indian state emblems|emblem of the state or union territory]] is usually displayed on a white field.<ref name="vexilla-mundi">{{cite web|url=http://www.vexilla-mundi.com/india_governments.html|website=vexilla-mundi.com|title=Vexilla Mundi|access-date=12 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eastmojo.com/amp/story/arunachal-pradesh%2F2019%2F06%2F03%2Farunachal-new-pema-khandu-govt-to-revamp-education-law-order |title = Arunachal: New Pema Khandu govt to revamp education, law & order - EastMojo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url-access=limited |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/106367677608699/329612338617564 |archive-date = 2022-04-30| url = https://www.facebook.com/AmitNESingh/photos/a.107064237539043/329612338617564/ |title = AMIT SINGH on Facebook |website=[[Facebook]]}}{{cbignore}}{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>
When a distinctive banner is required to represent a state or union territory, the [[List of Indian state emblems|emblem of the state or union territory]] is usually displayed on a white or blue field.<ref name="vexilla-mundi">{{cite web|url=http://www.vexilla-mundi.com/india_governments.html|website=vexilla-mundi.com|title=Vexilla Mundi|access-date=12 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eastmojo.com/amp/story/arunachal-pradesh%2F2019%2F06%2F03%2Farunachal-new-pema-khandu-govt-to-revamp-education-law-order |title = Arunachal: New Pema Khandu govt to revamp education, law & order - EastMojo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url-access=limited |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/106367677608699/329612338617564 |archive-date = 2022-04-30| url = https://www.facebook.com/AmitNESingh/photos/a.107064237539043/329612338617564/ |title = AMIT SINGH on Facebook |website=[[Facebook]]}}{{cbignore}}{{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref>

====States====

<gallery widths="180">
File:Flag of Assam, India.svg|[[Emblem of Assam|Banner]] of [[Assam]]
File:Bihar Government Banner.png|[[Emblem of Bihar|Banner]] of [[Bihar]]
File:..Chhattisgarh Flag(INDIA).png|[[Emblem of Chhattisgarh|Banner]] of [[Chhattisgarh]]
File:Flag of Gujarat.svg|[[Emblem of Gujarat|Banner]] of [[Gujarat]]
File:Flag of Haryana.svg|[[Emblem of Haryana|Banner]] of [[Haryana]]
File:Government banner of Jharkhand.png|[[Emblem of Jharkhand|Banner]] of [[Jharkhand]]
File:..Karnataka Flag(INDIA).png|[[Emblem of Karnataka|Banner]] of [[Karnataka]]
File:..Kerala Flag(INDIA).png|[[Emblem of Kerala|Banner]] of [[Kerala]]
File:Flag of Madhya Pradesh.svg|[[Emblem of Madhya Pradesh|Banner]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]]
File:Flag of Maharashtra.svg|[[Emblem of Maharashtra|Banner]] of [[Maharashtra]]
File:Meghalaya Flag(INDIA).png|[[Emblem of Meghalaya|Banner]] of [[Meghalaya]]
File:Mizoram Flag(INDIA).png|[[Emblem of Mizoram|Banner]] of [[Mizoram]]
File:Orissa Flag(INDIA).png|[[Emblem of Odisha|Banner]] of [[Odisha]]
File:Banner of Punjab, India.svg|[[Emblem of Punjab, India|Banner]] of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]
File:Flag of Rajasthan.svg|[[Emblem of Rajasthan|Banner]] of [[Rajasthan]]
File:Flag of the Government of Sikkim.svg|[[Emblem of Sikkim|Banner]] of [[Sikkim]]
File:..Tamil Nadu Flag(INDIA).png|[[Emblem of Tamil Nadu|Banner]] of [[Tamil Nadu]]
File:Flag of the Government of Telangana.svg|[[Emblem of Telangana|Banner]] of [[Telangana]]
File:Tiripura Flag(INDIA).png|[[Emblem of Tripura|Banner]] of [[Tripura]]
File:Flag of Uttar Pradesh.svg|[[Emblem of Uttar Pradesh|Banner]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]]
</gallery>

====Union territories====
<gallery widths="180">
File:Andaman and Nicobar Administration Banner.png|[[Emblem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Banner]] of [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]
File:Dadra_and_Nagar_Haveli_and_Daman_and_Diu_emblem.png|[[Emblem of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu|Banner]] of [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]]
File:Flag_of_Delhi_Capital_Territory.svg|[[Emblem of Delhi|Banner]] of [[Delhi]]
File:Flag of Jammu and Kashmir.svg|[[Emblem of Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Banner]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
File:Flag of Ladakh, India.svg|[[Emblem of Ladakh|Banner]] of [[Ladakh]]
File:Flag of Lakshadweep.png|[[Emblem of Lakshadweep|Banner]] of [[Lakshadweep]]
File:Banner of Puducherry.png|[[Emblem of Puducherry|Banner]] of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]]
</gallery>


== Historical flags ==
== Historical flags ==
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| [[File:Qutbshahi Flag.svg|border|150px]] || 1518–1687 || Flag of the [[Qutb Shahi dynasty|Golconda Sultanate]]{{Citation needed |date=April 2024}} || A turquoise field.
| [[File:Qutbshahi Flag.svg|border|150px]] || 1518–1687 || Flag of the [[Qutb Shahi dynasty|Golconda Sultanate]]{{Citation needed |date=April 2024}} || A turquoise field.
|-
|-
| [[File:Alam of the Mughal Empire.svg|border|150px]] || 1526–1858 || Flag of the [[Mughal Empire]] ([[Alam (flag)|''Alam'']]) || A flag that was primarily [[moss green]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A panorama in 12 folds showing the procession of the Emperor Bahadur Shah to celebrate the feast of the 'Id. f. 59v-A |url=https://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/addorimss/a/zoomify55414.html |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=[[British Library]]}}</ref>
| [[File:Alam of the Mughal Empire.svg|border|150px]] || 1526–1858 || Flag of the [[Mughal Empire]] ([[Alam (flag)|''Alam'']]) || A flag that was primarily [[moss green]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A panorama in 12 folds showing the procession of the Emperor Bahadur Shah to celebrate the feast of the 'Id. f. 59v-A |url=https://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/addorimss/a/zoomify55414.html |access-date=2023-06-06 |website=[[British Library]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220142858/https://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/addorimss/a/zoomify55414.html|archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|border|150px]] || 1674–1818 || Flag of the [[Maratha Empire]] (''[[Bhagwa Dhwaj]]''){{Citation needed |date=April 2024}} || A [[Saffron (color)|saffron]] colored [[Swallowtail (flag)|swallowtail]] flag.
| [[File:Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg|border|150px]] || 1674–1818 || Flag of the [[Maratha Empire]] (''[[Bhagwa Dhwaj]]''){{Citation needed |date=April 2024}} || A [[Saffron (color)|saffron]] colored [[Swallowtail (flag)|swallowtail]] flag.

Latest revision as of 08:43, 29 November 2024

For other uses, see Flag of India.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flags of India.

This is a list of flags used in India by various organizations.

National flag

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1947–present National flag of India A horizontal tricolour of saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. In the centre is a navy blue wheel with twenty-four spokes, known as the Ashoka Chakra.

Governmental flag

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1950–1971[1] Presidential Standard of India 1st quarter: state emblem (the Lions of Sarnath) to represent national unity; 2nd quarter: elephant from Ajanta Caves to represent patience and strength; 3rd quarter: scales from the Red Fort, Old Delhi to represent justice and economy; 4th quarter: lotus vase from Sarnath to represent prosperity.
Flag used by Ministry of Defence A horizontal tricolour of red, navy blue and sky blue representing the army, navy and air force respectively.

Ensigns

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
Civil air ensign India uses National Flag as Civil air ensign
Civil ensign A Red Ensign with the flag of India in the canton.
State ensign A Blue Ensign with the flag of India in the canton, and a yellow anchor horizontally in the fly.
[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
2022–present Indian Naval Ensign The ensign consists of the Indian national flag on the upper canton, a blue octagon encasing the national emblem atop an anchor to depict steadfastness, superimposed on a shield with the Navy's motto “Sam No Varuna” (a Vedic mantra invoking the god of seas to be auspicious) in Devanagari. The octagon represents the eight directions and has been included as a symbol of the Navy's “multidirectional reach and multidimensional operational capability”. The golden borders of the octagon have been inspired by the seal of Maratha Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Naval Reserve Ensign Naval Reserve Ensign used by auxiliary ships and merchant ships whose captain is a Navy Reserve Officer.

Port authorities

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
Ensign of Port of Cochin
Ensign of Bombay Harbour Trust
Ensign of Commissioners of the Port of Calcutta

Military flags

[edit]

Indian Armed Forces

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
Flag of the Indian Armed Forces A horizontal tricolour of red, navy blue and sky blue with the tri-service emblem at the centre
Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee A red field with the flag of India in the canton, and the tri-service emblem
Flag of the Integrated Defence Staff and Vice Chief of Defence Staff A red field with the flag of India in the canton, There is insignia of two cross swords, an eagle, an anchor and an Ashok symbol above it

Indian Army

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
Flag of the Indian Army A red field with the flag of India in the canton, and the Army badge in the fly
Flag of the Field Marshal A red flag with the national emblem over two crossed batons in a lotus blossom wreath.
Flag of the Chief of the Army Staff
Flag of the General
Flag of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff
Flag of the Principal Staff Officer
Flag of the Lieutenant General
Flag of the Major General
Flag of the Brigadier

Components

[edit]
Flags seen at Indian Army bases


"Strangely, the Indian national flag seems not to be used in military bases. I saw it only in schoolyards of government schools. Below are described some of the flags I have been able to see properly from the bus. Identification of the units was in most cases not possible for the reasons given above."

Ivan Sache, 25 August 2001, Website
Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Ordnance Corps
Flag of Corps of EME
Flag of Regiment of Artillery
Flag of Service Corps
Flag of Medical Corps
Flag of 3rd Cavalry regiment
Flag of Garhwal Rifles
Flag of Northern Command
Flag of Punjab Regiment
Flag of XIV Corps
Flag of Corps of Engineers
Flag of Brigade of The Guards
Flag of 3rd Infantry
Flag of 267th Transit Camp
Flag of Vehicles of Basgo
Flag of Mechanised Infantry Regiment
Flag of Remount Veterinary Corps

Indian Navy

[edit]

Current rank flags (2022-present)

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
Flag of the Indian Navy A white ensign, featuring the Flag of India in the canton, and a navy blue filled, gold-bordered octagon, enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy, located in the fly.
Commissioning pennant of the Indian Navy A white triangular pennant with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the hoist.
President's Colour of the Indian Navy Indian Naval ensign with State Emblem of India.
Flag of the Admiral (rank currently reserved for the Chief of the Naval Staff) A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and four blue stars in the hoist side.
Flag of the Vice admiral (also Vice Chief of the Naval Staff) A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and three blue stars in the hoist side.
Flag of the Rear admiral A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and two blue stars in the hoist side.
Flag of the Commodore A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and one blue star in the hoist side.

Former rank flags (1950-2001; 2004-2022)

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1950-2001 Indian Naval Ensign A red cross on a white field, with the Indian national flag in the canton.
2004–2014 A red cross on a white field, with the Indian state emblem in yellow at the center, with the Indian national flag in the canton.
2014–2022 A red cross on a white field, with the Indian state emblem in yellow at the center with the motto Satyamev Jayate below, and the Indian national flag in the canton.
1951-2022 President's Colour Indian Naval ensign with Presidential Standard elephant.
Commissioning pennant A white triangular pennant with at hoist the St. George's red cross defaced with the Ashoka Chakra.
Flag of the Admiral (was only used by Chief of the Naval Staff)
Flag of the Vice Admiral (also Vice Chief of the Naval Staff)
Flag of the Rear Admiral
Flag of the Commodore
Flag of the Senior officer

Former rank flags (2001-2004)

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
2001–2004 Flag of the Indian Navy A blue-colored crest of the Indian Navy set upon a white background, with the flag of India placed in the canton.
2001–2004 Commissioning pennant of the Indian Navy
2001–2004 Flag of Admiral of the Fleet of the Indian Navy Never used.
2001–2004 Flag of Admiral of the Indian Navy
2001–2004 Flag of Vice Admiral of the Indian Navy
2001–2004 Flag of Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy
2001–2004 Flag of Commodore of the Indian Navy
2001–2004 Flag of Senior Officer of the Indian Navy

Indian Air Force

[edit]

Current rank flags (1980-present)

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
Flag of the Indian Air Force A sky-blue ensign with the flag of India in the canton, the Air Force roundel in the lower fly, and the IAF badge in the upper fly.[2]
President's Colour of the Indian Air Force Air Force ensign with Presidential Standard elephant.
Flag of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Sky blue flag with the badge of the IAF in the center, and 5 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly. Only one person has ever been granted the right to this flag.[3]
Flag of the Air Chief Marshal (rank currently reserved for the Chief of the Air Staff) Sky blue flag with the national flag in the canton, the IAF roundel in the lower fly, the IAF badge in the upper fly, and 5 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly..[4]
Flag of the Air Marshal (also Vice Chief of the Air Staff) Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 3 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly.
Flag of the Air Vice Marshal Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 2 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly.
Flag of the Air Commodore Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 1 five-pointed gold star in the fly.
Flag of the Group Captain Flag of Sky blue triangular pennant with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle.
Flag of the Wing Commander Sky blue triangular pennant with IAF roundel in the center.

Former rank flags (till 2023)

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1950-2023 Flag of the Indian Air Force A sky-blue ensign with the flag of India in the canton, and the Air Force roundel in the fly.[5]
1980-2023 Flag of the Air Chief Marshal (was only used by Chief of the Air Staff) Sky blue flag with the national flag in the canton, the IAF roundel in the lower fly, and the IAF badge in the upper fly.[6]

Former rank flags (1950-1980)

[edit]

The former IAF rank flags were modeled on those of the Royal Air Force, with different colours.[7]

Flag Date Use Description
1950–1980 Marshal of the Indian Air Force Never used.[8]
1950–1980 Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force Sky blue bordered with two thick golden yellow stripes and with two thick horizontal green stripes in the center.
1950–1980 Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force Sky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thick horizontal green stripe in the center.
1950–1980 Air Vice Marshal of the Indian Air Force Sky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with two thin horizontal green stripes in the center.
1950–1980 Air Commodore of the Indian Air Force Swallowtail sky blue pennant bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thin horizontal green stripe in the center.
1950–1980 Group Captain of the Indian Air Force Triangular sky blue pennant bordered in golden yellow, with one thick horizontal green stripe in the center.
1950–1980 Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force Triangular sky blue pennant bordered in golden yellow, with two thin horizontal green stripes in the center.
1950–1980 Squadron Leader of the Indian Air Force Sky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thin horizontal green stripe in the center surmounted by an eagle in green. Below the stripe is the squadron number.

Coast Guard

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
Flag of the Indian Coast Guard A Blue Ensign with the Flag of India in the canton, and the Coast Guard badge in the fly
Flag of the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard A Blue Ensign with the Flag of India in the canton, and the Coast Guard badge in the fly
Flag of the Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag of the Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag of the Deputy Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag of the Commandant of the Indian Coast Guard

Paramilitary forces

[edit]
See also: Paramilitary forces of India
Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Assam Rifles
Flag of Rashtriya Rifles
Flag of Central Reserve Police Force
Flag of Central Industrial Security Force
Flag of Railway Protection Force Link to FLAG
Flag of Border Security Force
Flag of Sashastra Seema Bal
Flag of Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Flag of National Security Guard
Flag of Special Protection Group

Other agencies

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Territorial Army
Flag of National Cadet Corps
Flag of Border Roads Organisation

Former Flags of Indian Armed Forces

[edit]

(British) Indian Army

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1942–1947 Ensign of the British Indian Army Red field emblazoned with Star of India crossed by two swords and beneath the Tudor Crown.
1878–1947 Flag of the Indian Army Service Corps A Blue Ensign with the Union Jack at the canton, and the Star of India crossed by two swords displayed in the fly.

(Royal) Indian Air Force

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1945-1947 Ensign of the Royal Indian Air Force A field of air force blue with the United Kingdom's flag in the canton and the Royal Indian Air Force's roundel in the fly.

(Royal) Indian Marine/(Royal) Indian Navy

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1863–1947 1877–1892 Ensign of Her Majesty's Indian Marine
1892–1928: Ensign of the Royal Indian Marine
1928–1934 Naval jack of the Royal Indian Marine
1934–1947: Naval jack of the Royal Indian Navy		 A Blue Ensign with the Union Jack at the canton, and the Star of India displayed in the fly.
1884–1928 1884–1892 Naval jack of Her Majesty's Indian Marine
1892–1928: Naval jack of the Royal Indian Marine		 The Union Jack with blue border.
1928–1950 1928–1934: Ensign of the Royal Indian Marine
1934–1950: Ensign of the Royal Indian Navy		 The White Ensign of the Royal Navy.
1954–1955 1954–1955: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy
1955: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy		 The St George's Cross.
Ensign of an Admiral in the Royal Navy.
1934–1958 1934–1948: Flag of the Flag Officer Commanding, Royal Indian Navy
1948–1950: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy
1950–1954: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy
1955–1958: Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy		 Ensign of a Vice-Admiral in the Royal Navy.
1928–1958 1928–1932: Flag of the Flag Officer Commanding and Director, Royal Indian Marine
1934–1950: Flag of a Flag Officer, Royal Indian Navy
1950–1958: Flag of a Flag Officer, Indian Navy		 Ensign of a Rear-Admiral in the Royal Navy.

State and union territory flags

[edit]
Main article: List of Indian state flags

At present there are no officially recognised flags for individual states and union territories of India. No legal prohibitions to prevent states adopting distinctive flags exist in either the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 or the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.[9] In a 1994 case before the Supreme Court of India, S. R. Bommai v. Union of India, the Supreme Court declared that there is no prohibition in the Constitution of India for a state to have its own flag. However, a state flag should not dishonour the national flag.[10] The Flag code of India also permits other flags to be flown with the Flag of India, but not on the same flag pole or in a superior position to the national flag.[11]

Former official state flags

[edit]

The state of Jammu and Kashmir had an officially recognised state flag between 1952 and 2019 under the special status granted to the state by Article 370 of the Constitution of India.

Flag State Usage date Description
Jammu and Kashmir
 1947–1952 The flag was red with a plough in the centre. The red background stood for labour and the plough stood for agriculture. The ratio of the flag was 3:2.
1952–2019 The flag was red with three white vertical stripes in the hoist and a plough in the fly. The red background stood for labour, the stripes stood for the three administrative divisions of the state (Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh) and the plough stood for agriculture. The ratio of the flag was 3:2.[12]

Proposed state flags

[edit]

Flags have been proposed for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, but neither were officially adopted.

Flag State Date Use Description
Tamil Nadu Proposed in 1970 The Government of Tamil Nadu proposed a design for a state flag in 1970.[13] Grey flag with the flag of India in the canton and the Emblem of Tamil Nadu in the fly.
Karnataka Proposed in 2018 The Government of Karnataka proposed a design for a state flag in 2018.[14] Yellow, white and red tricolour with the Emblem of Karnataka centred on the white band.

Banners of the states and union territories

[edit]
Main article: List of Indian state flags

When a distinctive banner is required to represent a state or union territory, the emblem of the state or union territory is usually displayed on a white or blue field.[15][16][17]

Historical flags

[edit]

Indian polities

[edit]
Flag Duration Use Description
1320–1413 Flag of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate according to the Catalan Atlas, but there is no evidence this was actually used by the Delhi Sultanate. A gray flag with a black strip left of center.
1490–1636 Flag of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate[citation needed] A dark green triangular swallowtailed field.
1518–1687 Flag of the Golconda Sultanate[citation needed] A turquoise field.
1526–1858 Flag of the Mughal Empire (Alam) A flag that was primarily moss green.[18]
1674–1818 Flag of the Maratha Empire (Bhagwa Dhwaj)[citation needed] A saffron colored swallowtail flag.
1716–1799 Flag of The Sikh Confederacy[citation needed] Flag of the Nihang Khalsa Fauj showing weapons like Katar (dagger), Dhal Shield and Kirpan. The standard goes from 'bottom to top' signifying that the armies of the tenth guru are always victorious.
1799–1849 Flag of the Sikh Empire (Nishan Sahib)[citation needed] A triangular flag that was saffron with a green border.

Colonial India

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See also: Colonial India

British rule in India

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See also: British Raj and Company rule in India
Flag Duration Use Description
1880–1947 Civil Ensign of India used to represent India internationally. A Red Ensign with the Union Jack at the canton, defaced with the Star of India emblem displayed in the fly.
1885–1947 Flag of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India The Union Jack defaced with the insignia of the Order of the Star of India beneath the Tudor Crown.
1858–1947 The official state flag of the British Empire used in India The Flag of the United Kingdom.
1801–1858 Flag of the East India Company A striped banner with the Union Jack in the canton.
1707–1801 Flag of the East India Company A striped banner with the Union Jack of Great Britain in the canton.
1600–1707 Flag of the East India Company A striped banner with Saint George's Cross in the canton.
Princely states
[edit]
Main article: Flags of Indian princely states

French India

[edit]
See also: French India
Flag Date Use Description
1667–1791 Flag of the Kingdom of France Flag of the Kingdom of France.
1791–1794 1791–1792: Flag of the Kingdom of France
1792–1794: Flag of the French First Republic		 The flag of France.
1814–1815
1815–1830		 Flag of the Kingdom of France under the Bourbon Restoration Flag of the Kingdom of France.
1794–1804, 1830–1940, 1944–1954 1794–1804: Flag of the French First Republic
1804–1814, 1815: Flag of the First French Empire
1830–1848; Flag of the Kingdom of France
1848–1852: Flag of the French Second Republic
1852–1870: Flag of the Second French Empire
1870–1940: Flag of the French Third Republic and French Empire
1944–1946: Flag of the Provisional Government of the Fourth French Republic
1946–1954: Flag of the French Fourth Republic and French Union		 The flag of France.
1940–1944 Flag of French India under Free France Flag of Free France with the Cross of Lorraine

Portuguese India

[edit]
See also: Portuguese India
Flag Date Use Description
1497–1521 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
1578–1616 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
1616–1640 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
1640–1667 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
17th and 18th centuries Portuguese Indian Naval Ensign.
1667–1706 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
18th century Portuguese Indian Merchant Ensign
1706–1750 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
1816–1826 Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.
1826–1830 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal.
1830–1910 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal. Vertical bicolour blue-white. Proportion of the fields: 1:1.
1910–1961 (de facto)
1910–1974 (de jure)		 Flag of the Portuguese Republic. The final state flag of Portuguese India. Used from the implantation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910. Officially used until 1974, as Portugal only then recognised the Annexation of Portuguese India.
1967 (proposed) Proposed official flag for Portuguese India in 1967. Proposal by F. P. de Almeida Langhans. Never actually used.
1935–1961 Distinctive Flag of a Portuguese Overseas Governor-General (used by the Governor-General of Portuguese India)

Dutch India

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See also: Dutch India
Flag Date Use Description
1605–1795 The Prince's Flag
1652–1795 States Flag
1795–1806 Flag of the Batavian Republic
1813–1825 Flag of Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands and the United Kingdom of the Netherlands

Danish India

[edit]
See also: Danish India
Flag Date Use Description
1620–1869 The flag of Denmark (Denmark-Norway until 1814)

Swedish India

[edit]
See also: Swedish East India Company
Flag Date Use Description
1731–1813 The flag of Sweden

Austrian India

[edit]
See also: Austrian colonization of the Nicobar Islands
Flag Date Use Description
1778–1785 The flag of Archduchy of Austria

Indian independence movement

[edit]
See also: Indian independence movement

Flags used in the Indian independence movement

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1906 Calcutta flag Three horizontal bands of equal width with the top being orange, the centre yellow, and the bottom green. It had eight half-opened lotus flowers on the top stripe, and a picture of the sun and a crescent moon on the bottom stripe. वन्दे मातरम् (Vande Mātaram) was inscribed in the centre in Devanagari. The partition of Bengal (1905) resulted in the introduction of a new Indian flag that sought to unite the multitude of castes and races within the country. The Vande Mataram flag, part of the Swadeshi movement against the British, comprised Indian religious symbols represented in western heraldic fashion. The tricolour flag included eight white lotuses on the upper green band representing the eight provinces, a sun and a crescent on the bottom red band, and the Vande Mataram slogan in Hindi on the central yellow band. The flag was launched in Calcutta bereft of any ceremony and the launch was only briefly covered by newspapers. The flag was not covered in contemporary governmental or political reports either, but was used at the annual session of the Indian National Congress. A slightly modified version was subsequently used by Madam Bhikaji Cama at the Second Socialist International Meeting in Stuttgart. Despite the multiple uses of the flag, it failed to generate enthusiasm amongst Indian nationalists.[19]
1907 Early Indian nationalist flags [Note 1]
1917 Flag of the Home Rule Movement[Note 2] Five red and four green horizontal stripes
On the upper left quadrant was the Union Jack, which signified the Dominion status that the movement sought to achieve. A crescent and a star, both in white, are set in top fly. Seven white stars are arranged as in the Saptarishi constellation (the constellation Ursa Major), which is sacred to Hindus.
1931–1947 The Swaraj Flag, officially adopted by the Indian National Congress in 1931. In the years 1943–1945 it was the official flag of the Azad Hind Imperial Japanese puppet government for India and the Indian National Army
1942–1945 Flag of the Indian Legion of the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany Three horizontal strips of saffron, white, and green, with a springing tiger in the centre.

Proposed flags

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1902 Design reported in the Daily Express to have been proposed as part of a series of Empire flags that would replace the Union Jack in representing individual territories of the British Empire[22] The Cross of Saint George and the crown in the canton would have been present on all Empire flags to represent the English. In the top right would have been the emblem of the territory flying the flag, and in this case, the Star of India. A large sun in the centre symbolizes "the empire on which the sun never sets."
Proposed in 1904, used in April 1910 Flag proposed in an issue of an Anglo-Indian weekly.[23] Dark blue, green and light blue triband with a purple band at the hoist depicting the Orion constellation. A thin red border surrounds the whole flag.
1921 Mahatma Gandhi's Original Proposal
1921 Gandhi's flag, introduced at the Indian National Congress meeting in 1921
1932 Proposed flag for Portuguese India, designed by Afonso de Ornelas.
1947 Louis Mountbatten's proposed flag for India.[23] The Swaraj flag with a small Union Flag in the canton.
1965 Proposed official flag for Portuguese India in 1965. The proposal came after the annexation of the territories in 1961 and was part of a series of similar flags for the other colonies. Proposal by F. P. de Almeida Langhans. Never actually used.

Dominion of India

[edit]
See also: Dominion of India
Flag Date Use Description
1947–1950 Flag of the Dominion of India A horizontal tricolour of saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. In the centre is a navy blue wheel with twenty-four spokes, known as the Ashoka Chakra.
1947–1950 Flag of the governor-general of India Dark blue field emblazoned with the royal crest (a Tudor Crown surmounted by the lion of England, itself wearing the crown), beneath which was the word 'India' in gold majuscules. Similar to flags used by other Governors-General of Commonwealth realms.

Political flags

[edit]
Main article: List of political parties in India

National parties

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Party Flag Ref.
Aam Aadmi Party [24]
Bahujan Samaj Party [25]
Bharatiya Janata Party [26]
Communist Party of India (Marxist) [27]
Indian National Congress [28]
National People's Party [29]

House Flags

[edit]
Flag Date Use Description
1919–present Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd.
19th century–1952 Bombay Steam Navigation Company

See also

[edit]

Notes

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  1. ^ Around the same time, another proposal for the flag was initiated by Sister Nivedita, a Hindu reformist and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. The flag consisted of a thunderbolt in the centre and a hundred and eight oil lamps for the border, with the Vande Mataram caption split around the thunderbolt. It was also presented at the Indian National Congress meeting in 1906.[20] Soon, many other proposals were initiated, but none of them gained attention from the nationalist movement.
  2. ^ In 1916, Suraiya Tayyabji submitted thirty new designs, in the form of a booklet funded by members of the High Court of Madras. These many proposals and recommendations did little more than keep the flag movement alive. The same year, Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak adopted a new flag as part of the Home Rule Movement. The flag included the Union Jack in the upper left corner, a star and crescent in the upper right, and seven stars displayed diagonally from the lower right, on a background of five red and four green alternating bands. The flag resulted in the first governmental initiative against any nationalistic flag, as a magistrate in Coimbatore banned its use. The ban was followed by a public debate on the function and importance of a national flag.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Das, Chand N. (1984). Traditions and Customs of the Indian Armed Forces. Vision Books. p. 53.
  2. ^ "Indian Air Force Flags".
  3. ^ "Indian Air Force Flags".
  4. ^ "Indian Air Force Flags".
  5. ^ "Indian Air Force Flags".
  6. ^ "Indian Air Force Flags".
  7. ^ "Indian Air Force Flags".
  8. ^ "Indian Air Force Flags".
  9. ^ "Should States have their own flags?". The Hindu. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  10. ^ "'Non-NDA states playing emblem politics to cover up their failure'". 14 July 2018.
  11. ^ "Flag Code of India - Wikisource, the free online library". en.wikisource.org. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  12. ^ Haynes, Ed (24 September 1996). "Jammu and Kashmir (India)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
  13. ^ "When Tamil Nadu proposed a State flag nearly five decades ago". Archived from the original on 23 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Karnataka government unveils the state flag, awaits Centre's approval". hindustantimes.com/. 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  15. ^ "Vexilla Mundi". vexilla-mundi.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  16. ^ "Arunachal: New Pema Khandu govt to revamp education, law & order - EastMojo".
  17. ^ "AMIT SINGH on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[user-generated source]
  18. ^ "A panorama in 12 folds showing the procession of the Emperor Bahadur Shah to celebrate the feast of the 'Id. f. 59v-A". British Library. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  19. ^ Virmani, Arundhati (August 1999). "National Symbols under Colonial Domination: The Nationalization of the Indian Flag, March–August 1923". Past & Present. 164 (164): 175–176. doi:10.1093/past/164.1.169. JSTOR 651278.
  20. ^ Roy, Srirupa (August 2006). "A Symbol of Freedom: The Indian Flag and the Transformations of Nationalism, 1906–". Journal of Asian Studies. 65 (3): 498–499. ISSN 0021-9118. OCLC 37893507.
  21. ^ Virmani 1999, pp. 176–177
  22. ^ "A British Empire Flag". The New York Times. The London Express. 9 February 1902. p. 3. Retrieved 20 August 2023 – via The New York Times Archives.
  23. ^ a b Dipesh Navsaria (July 27, 1996). "Indian Flag Proposals". Flags of the World. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  24. ^ "Aam Aadmi Party". aamaadmiparty.org. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  25. ^ "Bahujan Samaj Party: BSP, National Political Party of India". Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  26. ^ "Bharatiya Janata Party".
  27. ^ "Communist Party of India (Marxist)". Communist Party of India (Marxist). Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  28. ^ "Indian National Congress". Indian National Congress. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  29. ^ "National People's Party". NATIONAL PEOPLE'S PARTY. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
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