While most of us proudly hoist the tricolour on Independence Day and Republic Day, very few know the hidden stories and strict rules behind it — from who can make it, to why only khadi is allowed, to the exact way it should be disposed of.
In my 79th Independence Day special article, I spoke about Gurukul 2.0 — a vision of an India where every citizen understands and respects our heritage as deeply as they respect our flag.
Today, let’s uncover some of the most surprising and lesser-known facts about the Indian flag that every Indian should know — not just to follow the law, but to truly honour the spirit of our freedom.
Ans: Pingali Venkayya was the creator of our Indian National Flag. He was a visionary freedom fighter, scholar, and agricultural scientist from Andhra Pradesh who gave India its national identity through the flag design. Fluent in multiple languages, he served in the British Indian Army during the Boer War and presented the first version of the Indian flag to Mahatma Gandhi in 1921. His life was devoted to India’s independence and to promoting self‑reliance in cotton production. Despite this monumental contribution, he lived humbly and is still remembered as an unsung hero in Indian history.
Important Facts About Pingali Venkayya
| Full Name | Pingali Venkayya |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 August 1876, Bhatlapenumarru, Andhra Pradesh |
| Died | 4 July 1963 |
| Main Contribution | Designer of the Indian National Flag |
| Year of Flag Proposal | 1921 at the All India Congress Committee meeting in Vijayawada |
| Other Roles | Freedom fighter, agricultural scientist, language scholar, teacher |
| Unique Fact | Fluent in Japanese and promoted improved cotton varieties for self-reliance |
Ans: In India, the sole authority for granting approval and licences to manufacture the national flag is vested in the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Karnataka stands out for its long-standing tradition in flag production, led by the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS) located in Bengeri, Hubballi, along with the historically renowned Garag village. These production centres create the tricolour with meticulous attention to BIS specifications, ensuring complete adherence to the Flag Code of India.
KVIC-Certified Flag Making Units
| Authority | Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) |
|---|---|
| Primary Unit | Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS) – Bengeri, Hubballi |
| Historical Unit | Garag village, Dharwad district – early Khadi-based production |
| BIS Certification | KKGSS holds Bureau of Indian Standards approval to supply flags nationwide |
| Process Quality | Flags are made to exact specifications — 2:3 ratio, Chakra printing on both sides, thread count, dyes, stitching carefully controlled |
Sources: KKGSS details, The News Minute.
Ans: The Indian National Flag's design was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947, just 24 days before India achieved independence from British rule. This adoption marked a significant step in giving the newly emerging nation its own identity before freedom was formally declared on 15 August 1947.
Key Facts About the Adoption
| Adoption Date | 22 July 1947 |
|---|---|
| Adopted By | Constituent Assembly of India |
| Days Before Independence | 24 days |
| Reason for Timing | To establish a national identity before the formal declaration of independence |
| Flag Designer | Pingali Venkayya |
Ans: The Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS) in Hubballi, Karnataka, is the only licensed manufacturer of the Indian National Flag as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). They use hand-spun and hand-woven khadi cloth, and each flag undergoes strict quality checks to meet the Flag Code of India.
📏 Official Sizes of the Indian National Flag (BIS Standards)
| Size No. | Length × Width (mm) | Ashoka Chakra Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6300 × 4200 | 1295 |
| 2 | 3600 × 2400 | 740 |
| 3 | 2700 × 1800 | 555 |
| 4 | 1800 × 1200 | 370 |
| 5 | 1350 × 900 | 280 |
| 6 | 900 × 600 | 185 |
| 7 | 450 × 300 | 90 |
| 8 | 225 × 150 | 40 |
🚫 Why machine-made flags are banned: Machine-made or polyester flags are prohibited because they undermine the symbolic value of khadi and the livelihood of traditional weavers. Only certified khadi flags from licensed manufacturers like KKGSS are legal for official use.
📜 Source: Flag Code of India, 2002 (Part I – General Description, Section 1.2) & Bureau of Indian Standards Specification IS:1 for National Flag.
Ans: As per Clause 3.25 of the Flag Code of India, 2002, when the National Flag is in a damaged or soiled condition, it must not be discarded casually or disrespectfully. Instead, it should be destroyed as a whole, in private, preferably by burning, or by any other method that upholds the dignity of the Flag.
Source: Flag Code of India, 2002 – Clause 3.25; Ministry of Home Affairs Advisory; Press Information Bureau, Government of India.
Author: Amrut Ashok Chitragar
Published on: August 15, 2025
Last Updated: August 15, 2025
📌 Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. All historical information has been cross-verified from credible sources. We aim to present facts accurately; however, readers are encouraged to refer to official archives for deeper research.
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