Half-Masting of the National-Flag

1. In the event of the death of the following dignitaries, the National-Flag shall be half-masted at the places indicated against each on the day of the death of the dignitary --



Note - ' Delhi ' means the areas under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Municipal Corporation, the New Delhi Municipal Committee and the Delhi Cantonment Board.

1. If the intimation of the death of any dignitary is received In the afternoon, the National-Flags shall be halfmasted on the following day also at the place or places indicated above, provided the funeral has not taken place before sunrise on that day.

2. On the day of the funeral of a dignitary mentioned above the National-Flags shall be half-masted at the place where the funeral takes place.

3. If State mourning Is to be observed on the death of any dignitary, the National-Flag shall be half-masted throughout the period of the mourning throughout India in the case of the Union dignitaries and throughout the State or Union Territory concerned In the case of a State or Union Territory dignitary.

4. Half-masting of the National-Flag and, where necessary, observance of State mourning on the death of foreign dignitaries will be governed by special Instructions which will be Issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs in individual cases.

5. Notwithstanding, the above provisions in the event of a half-mast day coinciding with a National-day,the flags shall not be flown at half-mast except over the building where the body of the deceased is lying until such time as it has been removed and that the Flag shall also be raised to the full-mast position after the body has been removed.

6. If mourning were to be observed in a parade or procession where a National-Flag is carried, two streamers of black crepe are attached to the spearhead, allowing the streamers to fall naturally. The use of black crepe in such a manner can be only by order of Government.

7. When flown at half-mast, the National-Flag is to be hoisted to the peak for an instant, then lowered to the halfmast position, but before lowering the Flag for the day, it is to be raised again to the peak.

Note - By half-mast is meant hauling down the Flag to one half the distance between the top and the guy-line and In the absence of the guy-line, half of the staff.

8. On occasions of State and Military funerals, the National-Flag is draped over the bier or coffin with the saffron towards the head of the bier or coffin. The Flag shall not be lowered into the grave or burnt on the pyre.

9. In the event of death of either the Head of the State or Head of the Government of a foreign country, the Indian Mission accredited to that country may fly the National-Flag at half-mast even if that event falls on a National-day. In the event of death of any other dignitary of that country, the National-Flag should not be flown at half-mast by the Missions except when the local practice or protocol (which should be ascertained from the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, where necessary) require that the National-Flag of a Foreign Mission in that country should also be flown at half-mast.

GENERAL

a) The above provisions are not applicable to Defence lnstallations,who have their own rules for the display of the National-Flag.

b) The use of the National-Flag or any colourable imitation thereof for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession or In the title of any patent or in any trademark or design without the prior permission of the Central Government Is an offence under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

c) Whoever In any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written or by acts) the National-Flag or any part thereof, is liable to be punished under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. 1971.