National Symbols of India
National Emblem
- An adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
- The four smaller animals at the bottom of the emblem are horse and bull (visible) and lion and elephant (not visible).
- Adopted by the Government of India on 26 January 1950.
- 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below has been taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.
National Anthem
- 'Jana Gana Mana' was first sung at Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1911, 27 Dec.
- Adopted by the Indian constitution on 24 Jan 1950.
- The song was composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, the National Anthem is its Hindi version.
- The complete song consists of five stanzas. The first stanza contains the full version of the National Anthem.
- The playing time for the full version of the song is 52 seconds.
National Song
- 'Vande Mataram' taken from Bankim Chandra Chatterji’s Anand Math.
- First sung at 1896 session of INC.
- Its English rendering has been given by Shri Aurobindo.
National Calendar
- Based on the Saka Era and adopted on 22 Mar 1957.
- Chaitra is the first month of the year whose 1st day falls on 22 March normally and on 21 March in a leap year.
- The national calendar also has 365/366 days
- Chaitra has 30 days normally and 31 days in a leap year.
National Flag
- Design adopted on 22 July 1947.
- The ratio of the width of the flag to its length is two to three.
- The design of the wheel at the center is taken from the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
- The 'Dharmachakra' (wheel) at the center has 24 spokes.
- Display governed by Flag Code of India, 2002.
- There shall be no restriction on the display of the National Flag by members of the general public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc.
Other National Symbols
- National bird: Peacock (Pavo cristatus)
- National fruit: Mango (Magnifera indica)
- National flower: Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera)
- National tree: Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)
- National animal: Tiger (Panthera tigris)
- National aquatic animal: River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)
- National river: Ganges