Centre approves manufacture and import of machine-made polyester national flags

The Union government has allowed manufacture and import of machine-made polyester national flags by amending the 2002 Flag Code of India.

The rules earlier permitted only flags made by "hand-spun and woven wool or cotton or silk khadi bunting" while the import of machine-made flags was banned in 2019. A recent revision to the flag code stated, "The National Flag shall be made of hand spun and hand woven or machine made, cotton, polyester, wool, silk khadi bunting."

Officials said the move provides relief for damages caused to mammoth flags which are not lowered at the sunset and are adequately illuminated during the night. "For a flag to be hoisted at a height, its material needs to be tough and wind-resistant. In the past, one of the country's tallest tricolours, near the India-Pakistan border at Attari, was not hoisted for several months due to damage caused to the flag by high velocity wind," said a government official, who did not wish to be identified.

The code gives unrestricted display of the tricolour as long as the honour and dignity of the flag are being respected. The knitted polyester outdoor flags are easily available on e-commerce websites while the government has cautioned against use of plastic national flags. In 2009, the MHA granted permission for the national flag to fly day and night on public and private institutions and buildings.

"A member of the public, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist or display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise consistent with the dignity and honour of the National Flag," says the flag code.

To inspire respect for the flag, the code suggests that the "National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions - schools, colleges, sports camps, scout camps".

The flag code further lays down the guidelines in the event of the death of heads of states and dignitaries. It says during state funerals, the tricolour can be flown at half-mast during the period of mourning. However, if the period of mourning coincides with events of national importance, such as Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti, the tricolour should not be flown at half-mast anywhere except over the building in which the body of the deceased is lying.