The use of the Tricolour is governed by the Flag Code of India. India's National Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian National Flag on July 22, 1947, by the Constituent Assembly, a few days before the country attained Independence from the British on August 15, 1947.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is celebrating National Flag Day with pride, shining a spotlight on the iconic Indian Standard Specification for the National Flag (Cotton Khadi) IS: 1-1968. This historic standard, first unveiled in May 1951, has been the bedrock of preserving the integrity and excellence of our revered national emblem.
The standard was meticulously crafted by the National Flag Sectional Committee (TDC: 8) of the erstwhile Indian Standards Institution (ISI), now BIS, under the esteemed chairmanship of Shri Bharat Ram, an industrialist and Chairman of Delhi Cloth & General Mills (DCM). IS: 1-1968 delineates, with precision and illustrations, the general design, constructional details, and dimensions of the various flag parts, standardized to nine sizes, including one for motor cars.
In 1964, the national flag standard was updated significantly to switch its measurements to the metric system, matching the new system adopted by the government of India. This revision also modernised the flag's materials, removing old specifications for the cotton khadi fabrics and making changes to the sizes of the hemp ropes and wooden toggles used in the flag.
The standard saw another revision in 1968, which focused on refining the method of attaching the panels of the flag and adjusting the tolerances on the dimensions of the flag and the Chakra.
While talking about the legacy of the standard, Sh. Pramod Kumar Tiwari, the Director General, BIS, stated, “On this National Flag Day, we celebrate the enduring legacy of IS: 1-1968 and its vital role in upholding the dignity of our national flag. As the custodian of over 22,000 Indian Standards, BIS reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety, reliability, and quality of goods for the citizens of India.”