National symbols are some of the most reliable Static GK questions, and Vande Mataram’s 150th year (2025-26) brought them back into the news. Learn the adoption dates and the people behind each symbol.
The national flag
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 22 July 1947 by the Constituent Assembly |
| Designed by | Pingali Venkayya (based on his design) |
| Ratio | 3 : 2 |
| Colours | Saffron (top), white (middle), green (bottom) |
| Chakra | Ashoka Chakra, navy blue, 24 spokes |
| Rules | Flag Code of India, 2002 (amended 2022 to allow machine-made polyester flags) |
State emblem
- Adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.
- Adopted on 26 January 1950.
- Motto: “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth alone triumphs), from the Mundaka Upanishad, in Devanagari script.
- Four lions (three visible), with a bull, a horse and the Dharma Chakra on the abacus.
Anthem and song
| Point | National anthem | National song |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Jana Gana Mana | Vande Mataram |
| Written by | Rabindranath Tagore | Bankim Chandra Chatterjee |
| Source | Originally in Bengali | Novel Anandamath (1882) |
| Adopted | 24 January 1950 | 24 January 1950 (equal status) |
| Duration | About 52 seconds (short version about 20 seconds) | – |
| First sung | 27 December 1911, INC Calcutta session | 1896 INC session (sung by Tagore) |
| Note | – | 150 years of the song in 2025-26 (written 1875) |
Other national symbols
| Symbol | Name | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| National calendar | Saka calendar | Adopted 22 March 1957 with the Gregorian calendar |
| National animal | Tiger (*Panthera tigris*) | Replaced the lion in 1973 |
| National bird | Peacock (Indian peafowl) | Declared in 1963 |
| National flower | Lotus | – |
| National tree | Banyan | – |
| National fruit | Mango | – |
| National river | Ganga | Declared in 2008 |
| National aquatic animal | Ganges river dolphin | Declared in 2009 |
| National heritage animal | Elephant | Declared in 2010 |
| Rupee symbol | ₹ | Adopted 2010; designed by D. Udaya Kumar |
Note: India has no official national game. Hockey is often called the national game, but the Sports Ministry has said none is declared.
Exam-ready one-liners
- The national flag was adopted on 22 July 1947; ratio 3:2; Ashoka Chakra with 24 spokes.
- “Satyameva Jayate” is from the Mundaka Upanishad.
- The national anthem takes about 52 seconds.
- The Saka calendar was adopted on 22 March 1957.
- The ₹ symbol was designed by D. Udaya Kumar in 2010.
Related reading
Quiz: test yourself
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Based on the Ministry of Home Affairs and Know India portal.
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