National symbols

The Tricolour, the State Emblem, the anthem, the song and the other symbols of India.

National Flag (Tiranga)
A horizontal tricolour of saffron, white and India green in equal bands, with the navy-blue Ashoka Chakra of 24 spokes in the centre.
Adopted: 22 July 1947 (Constituent Assembly)
State Emblem
Adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, with the motto Satyameva Jayate (Truth alone triumphs).
Adopted: 26 January 1950
National Anthem: Jana-gana-mana
Composed by Rabindranath Tagore and adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. The full version takes about 52 seconds.
Adopted: 24 January 1950
National Song: Vande Mataram
Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vande Mataram inspired generations of freedom fighters. It has equal status with Jana-gana-mana.
Adopted: 24 January 1950
National Calendar (Saka)
The Saka calendar, with Chaitra as its first month, was adopted on 22 March 1957 for official use alongside the Gregorian calendar.
Adopted: 22 March 1957
National Animal: Tiger
The Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) symbolises strength and grace. Project Tiger, launched in 1973, made India home to most of the world's wild tigers.
National Bird: Indian Peafowl
The Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) was declared the national bird in 1963. It is fully protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Adopted: 1963
National Flower: Lotus
The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) has a sacred place in Indian art and thought. It rises clean and beautiful from muddy water.
National Tree: Banyan
The banyan (Ficus benghalensis) sends down aerial roots that become new trunks, a symbol of long life and unity.
National Fruit: Mango
India grows hundreds of varieties of mango (Mangifera indica), from Alphonso and Kesar to Langra, Dasheri and Banganapalle.
National River: Ganga
The Ganga was declared the National River in 2008. It is about 2,525 km long and sustains hundreds of millions of people.
Adopted: 2008
National Aquatic Animal: Ganges River Dolphin
The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was declared the National Aquatic Animal on 5 October 2009. It is nearly blind and finds its way by echolocation.
Adopted: 5 October 2009
National Heritage Animal: Elephant
The Indian elephant was declared the National Heritage Animal in 2010. It has been part of India's culture, temples and art for thousands of years.
Adopted: 2010
Currency symbol: ₹
The Indian Rupee symbol ₹, designed by D. Udaya Kumar, was adopted on 15 July 2010. It blends the Devanagari र and the Roman R.
Adopted: 15 July 2010

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