India’s national flag, commonly called the Tiranga or Tricolour, has three equal horizontal bands of saffron, white and green with a navy-blue Ashoka Chakra in the centre.

What does the Indian flag look like?

The upper band is deep saffron, the middle white and the lower India green. A navy-blue wheel with 24 spokes sits in the centre of the white band.

What does the Ashoka Chakra mean?

The wheel is based on the Dharma Chakra found on the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. It is commonly interpreted as representing law, movement and the idea that a society must continue progressing rather than remain stagnant.

History of the flag

The Constituent Assembly adopted the present flag on July 22, 1947, shortly before independence. Its design developed from earlier Indian National Congress flags associated with Pingali Venkayya, with the spinning wheel replaced by the Ashoka Chakra.

India flag facts

• Adopted: July 22, 1947
• Colors: saffron, white, green and navy blue
• Chakra spokes: 24
• Common name: Tiranga