The national symbols of India include the National Flag, State Emblem, National Anthem, National Song, National Animal, National Bird, National Flower, National Tree, National Fruit and National Aquatic Animal. Some symbols have a formal constitutional or legal basis, while others are recognised by government sources as national identity symbols.
National Symbols of India: Complete List
The following table provides a quick-reference list. The word "national symbol" is used here in the broad general-knowledge sense; not every item has the same legal status or source of designation.
| National Symbol | Symbol / Name | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | Tricolour (Tiranga) | Three horizontal bands with the Ashoka Chakra in navy blue at the centre |
| State Emblem | Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath | Adapted from the Lion Capital; motto: Satyameva Jayate |
| National Anthem | Jana Gana Mana | Composed by Rabindranath Tagore; adopted as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950 |
| National Song | Vande Mataram | Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| National Animal | Bengal Tiger | Panthera tigris; symbol of India's rich wildlife |
| National Bird | Indian Peacock | Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) |
| National Flower | Lotus | Commonly recognised as India's national flower |
| National Tree | Banyan | Known for its extensive aerial-root system and broad canopy |
| National Fruit | Mango | Widely recognised as India's national fruit |
| National Aquatic Animal | Ganges River Dolphin | Platanista gangetica; associated with India's major river systems |
Details of India's National Symbols
National Flag of India
India's National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of India saffron, white and India green. The white band carries the Ashoka Chakra in navy blue at the centre, with 24 equally spaced spokes. The Flag Code of India specifies a length-to-width ratio of 3:2.
The flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 July 1947. The design and display of the flag are governed by the Flag Code of India together with applicable laws relating to the national flag.
State Emblem of India
India's State Emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. The emblem shows four Asiatic lions standing back to back, although only three are visible in the two-dimensional representation. The abacus includes representations of the Dharma Chakra and animals, and the motto Satyameva Jayate appears below.
The State Emblem of India was adopted on 26 January 1950. Its use is regulated by the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and related rules.
National Anthem of India
Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, is India's National Anthem. The Constituent Assembly adopted it as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950. The official government reference also provides guidance on the playing and singing of the anthem.
National Song of India
Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is India's National Song. It has a distinct historical role in India's freedom movement and is treated separately from the National Anthem.
National Animal of India
The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris) is India's National Animal. The tiger is strongly associated with India's wildlife conservation efforts and is found across a range of forest and grassland habitats.
National Bird of India
The Indian Peacock or Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is India's National Bird. Its distinctive plumage and long association with Indian art and culture make it a widely recognised national symbol.
National Flower of India
The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is recognised as India's National Flower. It has longstanding cultural and religious significance in India and is commonly used in Indian art and iconography.
National Tree of India
The banyan (Ficus benghalensis) is India's National Tree. Its spreading branches and aerial roots can create a large canopy, making the tree a familiar part of India's landscape and cultural traditions.
National Fruit of India
The mango (Mangifera indica) is widely recognised as India's National Fruit. India has many regional mango varieties, and the fruit has an important place in Indian agriculture, food and culture.
National Aquatic Animal of India
The Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is India's National Aquatic Animal. It inhabits river systems of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin and is an important indicator of river ecosystem health.
National Flag and the Ashoka Chakra
The Ashoka Chakra is a navy-blue wheel with 24 spokes placed in the centre of the white band. The Flag Code of India specifies that the Chakra should be clearly visible on both sides of the flag and provides detailed rules for the flag's design, display and dimensions.
The flag's standard colours are commonly described as India saffron at the top, white in the middle and India green at the bottom. The official Flag Code should be consulted when the question concerns exact display rules rather than basic GK.
National Emblem and the Motto
The State Emblem is derived from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. The motto Satyameva Jayate is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad and means "Truth Alone Triumphs." The emblem is used by the Government of India in official contexts and its unauthorised or improper use is regulated by law.
National Anthem vs National Song
| Point | National Anthem | National Song |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Jana Gana Mana | Vande Mataram |
| Author | Rabindranath Tagore | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| Role | National Anthem of India | National Song of India |
| Adoption | 24 January 1950 | Recognised as the National Song; its historical association predates independence |
| GK distinction | Do not confuse with Vande Mataram | Do not confuse with Jana Gana Mana |
Important GK Facts About India's National Symbols
- The National Flag is the Tricolour with the Ashoka Chakra in the white band.
- The Ashoka Chakra has 24 spokes.
- The National Flag's length-to-width ratio is 3:2.
- The State Emblem is adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.
- Satyameva Jayate is the motto shown below the State Emblem.
- Jana Gana Mana is India's National Anthem.
- Vande Mataram is India's National Song.
- The Bengal Tiger is India's National Animal.
- The Indian Peacock is India's National Bird.
- The Lotus is India's National Flower.
- The Banyan is India's National Tree.
- The Mango is India's National Fruit.
- The Ganges River Dolphin is India's National Aquatic Animal.
- The National Anthem was adopted on 24 January 1950.
- The State Emblem was adopted on 26 January 1950.
One-Minute Revision: National Symbols of India
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| National Flag | Tricolour / Tiranga |
| National Emblem | Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath |
| National Motto | Satyameva Jayate |
| National Anthem | Jana Gana Mana |
| National Song | Vande Mataram |
| National Animal | Bengal Tiger |
| National Bird | Indian Peacock |
| National Flower | Lotus |
| National Tree | Banyan |
| National Fruit | Mango |
| National Aquatic Animal | Ganges River Dolphin |
| Ashoka Chakra spokes | 24 |
How to Prepare National Symbols for GK
National symbols are easiest to remember when grouped into categories instead of memorising a random list.
- Identity: Flag, State Emblem and National Motto.
- National compositions: Anthem and Song.
- Wildlife: Bengal Tiger, Indian Peacock and Ganges River Dolphin.
- Plants and food: Lotus, Banyan and Mango.
- Visual detail: Remember the 24-spoke Ashoka Chakra and the 3:2 flag ratio.
- Dates: Revise 22 July 1947 for the Flag's adoption and 24/26 January 1950 for the Anthem and State Emblem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the national symbols of India?
Major national identity symbols include the National Flag, State Emblem, National Anthem, National Song, National Animal, National Bird, National Flower, National Tree, National Fruit and National Aquatic Animal.
What is the National Animal of India?
The Bengal Tiger is India's National Animal.
What is the National Bird of India?
The Indian Peacock or Indian peafowl is India's National Bird.
What is the National Flower of India?
The lotus is India's National Flower.
What is the National Tree of India?
The banyan is India's National Tree.
What is the National Fruit of India?
The mango is widely recognised as India's National Fruit.
What is the National Aquatic Animal of India?
The Ganges River Dolphin is India's National Aquatic Animal.
What is India's National Anthem?
Jana Gana Mana, composed by Rabindranath Tagore, is India's National Anthem.
What is India's National Song?
Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is India's National Song.
How many spokes are there in the Ashoka Chakra?
The Ashoka Chakra in the National Flag has 24 equally spaced spokes.
What is India's National Motto?
Satyameva Jayate is India's National Motto and appears below the State Emblem.
Related General Knowledge Guides
Continue with CalcuPortal's General Knowledge guides, including General Knowledge About India, Indian States and Capitals, Indian States and Languages and National Parks in India.