List of Indian flags

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

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, with a navy blue Ashoka Chakra at the centre furnished with twenty four spokes.

Flag Date Use DescriptionCivil air ensign( ) Civil Ensign An altered version of the Red Ensign, with the National Flag embossed in the canton. Used by civilian ships registered in India and/or owned by Indians by virtue of the Indian Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. State Ensign An altered version of the Blue Ensign, with the National Flag and a yellow coloured anchor embossed in the canton and fly, respectively. Used by Indian Fleet Auxiliaries or other vessels in the event of war; also used by civilian vessels employed by the Government of India. ( ) Ensign of the Bombay Harbour Trust Discontinued Flag of the Integrated Defence StaffA maroon ensign furnished with the National Flag in the canton, and a simple gold crest of the Indian Armed Forces embossed in the fly.

Flag Date Use Description Ensign of the Indian Army A red ensign furnished with the National Flag in the canton, and the Army Crest in the fly. Flag of the Field Marshal A red ensign furnished with the National Emblem atop a gold colored lotus blossom wreath surrounding two crossed batons, along with five five pointed gold stars. Flag of the Chief of the Army Staff An altered version of the Indian Army Ensign, furnished with four five pointed gold stars placed to the right of the Army Crest. Flag of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff A red black tricolor, furnished with the twin crossed swords at the centre, the Army Headquarters badge in the canton and three five pointed gold stars in the fly. Flag of the Principal Staff Officer Flag of the Lieutenant General Flag of the Major General Flag of the Brigadier

FlagDateUseDescription Ensign of the Indian Navy A white ensign, featuring the National Flag in the canton and a navy blue filled, gold bordered octagon enclosing the Indian Naval Crest placed in the fly. Commissioning pennant of the Indian Navy A white, triangular pennant enclosing a minuscule version of the octagon shaped Naval Crest near the hoist. President's Colour of the Indian Navy An altered version of the Indian Naval Ensign, affixed with the National Emblem and National Motto on the upper right canton. 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. 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 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.

FlagDateUseDescription 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. 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.

The former IAF rank flags were modeled on those of the Royal Air Force, with different colours. FlagDateUseDescription 1950–1980 Marshal of the Indian Air Force Never used. 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.

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.

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.

Flag Date Use Description 1863–1947 1877–1892 Ensign of Her Majesty's Indian Marine 1892–1928: Ensign of the Royal Indian Marine1928–1934 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.

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. 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. 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.

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.

Flags have been proposed for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, but neither were officially adopted. Flag State Date Use Description Tamil NaduProposed in 1970The Government of Tamil Nadu proposed a design for a state flag in 1970. Grey flag with the flag of India in the canton and the Emblem of Tamil Nadu in the fly. KarnatakaProposed in 2018 The Government of Karnataka proposed a design for a state flag in 2018. Yellow, white and red tricolour with the Emblem of Karnataka centred on the white band.

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 field.

FlagDurationUseDescription 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 dark green flag with a black strip left of center. 1490–1636 Flag of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate A dark green triangular swallowtailed field. 1518–1687 Flag of the Golconda Sultanate A turquoise field. 1526–1858 Flag of the Mughal Empire (Alam) A flag that was primarily moss green. 1674–1818 Flag of the Maratha Empire (Bhagwa Dhwaj) A saffron colored swallowtail flag. 1716–1799 Flag of The Sikh Confederacy 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) A triangular flag that was saffron with a green border.

FlagDurationUseDescription 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.

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. 1814–18151815–1830 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

Flag Date Use Description 1497–1521 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal. 1578–1616Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal. 1616–1640Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal. 1640–1667 Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal. 17th and 18th centuries Portuguese Indian Naval Ensign. 1667–1706Flag 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. 1826–1830Flag 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. 1935–1961Distinctive Flag of a Portuguese Overseas Governor General (used by the Governor General of Portuguese India)

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. (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. 1907 Early Indian nationalist flags 1917 Flag of the Home Rule Movement Five red and four green horizontal stripesOn 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.

FlagDateUseDescription1902Design 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 EmpireThe 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. 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. dab=yes

FlagDateUseDescription1919–presentScindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd.19th century–1952Bombay Steam Navigation Company