How to Hoist and Display the Tiranga Correctly at Home, School and Office

Start with a proper flag

Before any ceremony, check that your flag is in good condition. It should be clean, not faded, torn or creased badly, and the Ashoka Chakra should be clearly visible on both sides. The flag must be rectangular with a 3:2 ratio of length to height. The Flag Code allows cotton, polyester, wool or silk khadi bunting, whether hand-woven or machine-made. Avoid flags made of plastic, as government advisories have repeatedly asked citizens not to use plastic flags, which are difficult to dispose of with dignity.

Choose a position of honour

The flag should be placed in a position of honour, clearly visible and not crowded by other objects. On a building, it is usually flown from a staff on the roof or projecting from a balcony or window sill. If you are using a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle, the saffron band should be at the far end of the staff. Do not tie the flag to railings, wires or trees in a way that makes it look careless or allows it to hang loosely.

Horizontal and vertical display

When the flag is displayed flat against a wall horizontally, the saffron band should be at the top. When it is displayed vertically, the saffron band should be on the right of the flag itself, which means it appears on the left side for a person looking at it. A simple tip is to remember that saffron always leads: top when horizontal, observer's left when vertical.

Hoisting step by step

First, attach the flag securely to the halyard (the rope) so that the saffron band will be at the top when raised. Check that nothing is tangled. If petals are to be placed inside a furled flag for unfurling, place them carefully before the ceremony. At the right moment, hoist the flag briskly and steadily to the top of the staff. Everyone present should stand at attention facing the flag. Those in uniform give the appropriate salute. If the national anthem is played or sung, all present should stand in respectful attention.

During the display

Make sure the flag does not touch the ground, the floor or water at any time. If it becomes wet in rain, it can be taken down and allowed to dry before being raised again. If the flag becomes damaged while flying, replace it. Do not hang anything from the staff above the flag, and do not place any other flag higher than the national flag.

Lowering the flag

Lower the flag slowly and with ceremony. Gather it in your hands so that it does not touch the ground. Fold it neatly and store it in a clean, dry place. Although the Flag Code allows the flag to be flown day and night when displayed in the open or on the house of a member of the public, many institutions continue the tradition of lowering it in the evening.

At schools and offices

At a school assembly or an office ceremony, appoint one person to hoist the flag and practise beforehand. Place the flagstaff where everyone can see it. If there is a speaker's platform, the flag should be on the speaker's right as they face the audience, or displayed flat on the wall above and behind the speaker. The flag should never be used to cover the speaker's desk or to drape the platform.

With other flags

When the national flag is flown alongside other flags, it should be in the position of honour. In a line of flags, it should be at the extreme right of the line, that is, its own right, which appears on the left of the observer. When flags are displayed in a circle or semicircle, the national flag should start the arrangement. In a procession, it should be carried on the marching right or at the front centre.

On cars, tables and desks

The privilege of flying the national flag on motor cars is limited to certain dignitaries listed in the Flag Code, such as the President, the Vice-President, Governors, the Prime Minister and certain other officials. Private citizens should not fly the flag on their vehicles like official cars. Small table flags may be used on desks with a proper stand, keeping the same rules of dignity in mind.

A final checklist

Is the flag clean and undamaged? Is the saffron band in the right place? Is it in a position of honour? Is nothing placed above it? Will it stay off the ground and away from water? If you can answer yes to all of these, you are ready to display the Tiranga with pride and respect.

This article is intended for general educational purposes. For official or legal purposes, please refer to the current Flag Code of India and notifications published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Spotted an error? Write to info@tirangaourpride.online.