national symbols of India

The Government of India has designated official national symbols that represent the Republic of India. These symbols serve as the representation of the identity of the country. When India obtained independence from the British Raj on 15 August 1947, the tricolour flag officially became the first national symbol of the Dominion of India. The Indian Rupee which was in circulation earlier was adopted as the official legal tender after independence.{{cite web|url=https://thedailyguardian.com/the-journey-of-indian-rupee/|title=The Journey of Indian Rupee|date=3 February 2024|access-date=1 June 2024|publisher=The Daily Guardian|archive-date=14 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110715/https://thedailyguardian.com/the-journey-of-indian-rupee/|url-status=live}} The official state emblem with the motto Satyameva Jayate was adopted later on 30 December 1947. The national anthem and song were adopted two days before the Constitution of India was adopted on 26 January 1950. After India became a republic following the enactment of the constitution, the national symbols officially came to represent the Republic of India.{{cite web|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/constitution-india|title=Constitution of India|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=11 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111125035/https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/constitution-india|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://thebetterindia.com/79658/dinanath-bhargava-india-national-emblem/|title=A Tribute to the Artist who Sketched and Illuminated India's National Emblem|date=26 December 2016|author=Sanchari Pal|publisher=Better India|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923032021/https://www.thebetterindia.com/79658/dinanath-bhargava-india-national-emblem/|url-status=live}} The last to be adopted as a national symbol was the national microbe Lactobacillus delbrueckii in October 2012.

List of national and official symbols

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+{{sronly\|National symbols of India}} ! scope="col" \| Symbol ! scope="col" \| Name ! scope="col" \| Image ! scope="col" \| Adopted ! scope="col" \| Notes
scope="row" \|Official name \|\| Republic of India (Bharat Ganarajya){{cite web\|url=https://www.india.gov.in/india-glance/profile\|title=India at a glance\|publisher=Government of India\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=1 May 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501162753/https://www.india.gov.in/india-glance/profile\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:India-map-en.svg \|\| 26 January 1950{{cite act\|title=The Constitution of India\|date=26 January 1950\|legislature=Constituent Assembly of India\|url=https://lawmin.nic.in/coi/coiason29july08.pdf\|access-date=3 March 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909230437/https://lawmin.nic.in/coi/coiason29july08.pdf\|url-status=dead\|via=Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India\|quote=Article 1(1): India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.\|archive-date=9 September 2014}} \|\| The Constitution of India uses the official names of India and Bharat.{{cite news\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/india-bharat-name-history-8925757/\|title=India, that is Bharat: A short history of the nation's names, from the Rig Veda to the Constitution of India\|date=9 September 2023\|access-date=1 December 2023\|newspaper=The Indian Express\|archive-date=10 October 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010134513/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/india-bharat-name-history-8925757/\|url-status=live}} The name "India" is derived from the Classical Latin India, a reference to the region beyond the Indus River. In turn, the name "India" was derived successively from Hellenistic Greek India ( Ἰνδία), ancient Greek Indos ( Ἰνδός), Old Persian Hindush (an eastern province of the Achaemenid Empire), and ultimately its cognate, the Sanskrit Sindhu, or "river", specifically the Indus River and, by implication, its settled basin.{{cite web\|title=Etymology of India\|url=https://www.worldhistory.org/article/203/etymology-of-the-name-india/\|publisher=World History\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=28 February 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228225719/https://www.worldhistory.org/article/203/etymology-of-the-name-india/\|url-status=live}}{{cite web\|title=India (noun)\|url=https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/94384#eid677811\|work=Oxford English Dictionary\|year=2009\|edition=3rd\|access-date=15 April 2024\|archive-date=15 April 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415040513/https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/94384#eid677811\|url-status=live}} The term Bharat ({{transliteration\|hi\|ISO\|Bhārat}}), mentioned in the ancient Hindu literature, is used in several Indian languages. Though Vedic literature uses the word to mention the Bharatha tribe, the earliest usage of the word to represent a larger territory was in the first century BCE.{{cite book\|last=Jha\|first=Dwijendra Narayan\|title=Rethinking Hindu Identity\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dqDgBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA11\|page=11\|year=2014\|publisher=Routledge\|isbn=978-1-317-49034-0}} It is derived from the region Bharatavarsha ruled by king Bharatha, whose name literally means "the shining one".{{cite web\|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/origins-of-bharat-and-india-2456068-2023-10-31\|title=Two names, one nation: The origins of 'Bharat' and 'India'\|date=31 October 2023\|access-date=1 June 2024\|publisher=India Today\|archive-date=30 May 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530135505/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/origins-of-bharat-and-india-2456068-2023-10-31\|url-status=live}}{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_vsFEQAAQBAJ&pg=PR16\|page=16\|title=Religion in India: Past and Present\|author=Lawrence A. Babb\|year=2020\|isbn=978-1-78046-623-1\|publisher=Liverpool University Press\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=14 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110719/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Religion_in_India/_vsFEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PR16\|url-status=live}} A modern rendering of the historical name, Bharat became a native name for India in the mid-20th century after its mention in the constitution.{{cite news\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/india-bharat-name-history-8925757/\|title=India, that is Bharat: A short history of the nation's names, from the Rig Veda to the Constitution of India\|newspaper=The Indian Express\|author=Adrija Roychowdhury\|date=9 September 2023\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=23 April 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423134029/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/india-bharat-name-history-8925757/\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \|National flag \|\| Flag of India \|\| File:Flag of India.svg \|\| 15 August 1947 (Dominion of India){{cite journal\|last=Jha\|first=Sadan\|title=The Indian National Flag as a site of daily plebiscite\|date=25 October 2008\|journal=Economic and Political Weekly\|pages=102–111\|issn=0012-9976\|oclc=1567377}} 26 January 1950 (Republic of India){{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/my-india-my-pride/indian-tricolor.php\|title=Indian tricolor\|publisher=Government of India\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=7 March 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307084402/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/my-india-my-pride/indian-tricolor.php\|url-status=live}} \|\| The Indian flag is a horizontal rectangular tricolour with equally sized deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and India green at the bottom with the Dharma chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. Saffron indicates the strength and courage, white represents peace, green expresses fertility, growth and auspiciousness with the chakra symbolising truth.{{cite web\|title=National Symbols\|url=https://www.india.gov.in/india-glance/national-symbols\|access-date=14 August 2022\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=1 May 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501093137/https://www.india.gov.in/india-glance/national-symbols\|url-status=live}} The flag was designed based on the swaraj flag design proposed by Pingali Venkayya.{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9F9YEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA355\|page=355\|title=Post Independence India\|year=2022\|author1=Muzaffar H. Syed\|author2=Anil Kumar\|author3=B.D. Usmani\|author4=Pramod Gupta\|publisher=K.K. Publications\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174601/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Post_Independence_India/9F9YEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA355\|url-status=live}}{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zS-DDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT177\|page=177\|title=Gandhi: The Years that Changed the World\|author=Ramachandra Guha\|author-link=Ramachandra Guha\|year=2019\|isbn=978-9-35305-259-1\|publisher=Penguin Random House\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174602/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Gandhi/zS-DDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT177\|url-status=live}} The tricolour flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947.{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-flag.php\|title=National flag\|publisher=Government of India\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=15 July 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715024706/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-flag.php\|url-status=live}} It was unfurled by the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15 August 1947.{{cite web\|url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/where-did-nehru-unfurl-tricolour-on-august-15-1947-it-wasn-t-the-red-fort-123081400225_1.html\|title=Where did Nehru unfurl Tricolour on August 15, 1947? It wasn't the Red Fort\|publisher=Business Standard\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174602/https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/where-did-nehru-unfurl-tricolour-on-august-15-1947-it-wasn-t-the-red-fort-123081400225_1.html\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \|National emblem \|\| State Emblem of India \|\|rowspan="2"\|File:Emblem of India.svg \|\|rowspan="2"\|30 December 1947 (Dominion of India){{cite press release\|title=Press Communique' – State Emblem\|url=http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20804-BR/HOM-1947-12-30_116.pdf\|publisher=Government of India\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193914/http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20804-BR/HOM-1947-12-30_116.pdf\|archive-date=8 August 2017}} 26 January 1950 (Republic of India) \|\|rowspan="2"\|The national emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath consisting of four Asiatic lions standing back to back, symbolising power, courage, confidence and faith.{{cite web\|url=http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/STATE_EMBLEM_ACT2005.pdf\|title=The State Emblem Of India (Prohibition Of Improper Use) Act, 2005\|date=20 December 2005\|access-date=15 April 2012\|page=4\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319192231/http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/STATE_EMBLEM_ACT2005.pdf\|archive-date=19 March 2013}} The lions are mounted on a circular abacus over a bell-shaped lotus. The abacus has a frieze carrying the reliefs of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion with a Dharma chakra in the middle. The motto "Satyameva Jayate" (English: Truth Alone Triumphs) is a quote taken from Mundaka Upanishad, the concluding part of the sacred Hindu Vedas.{{ cite web\|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/resume/193/scp.html.pdf\|title=Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Standing Committee On Home Affairs: 116th Report on The State Emblem Of India (Prohibition Of Improper Use) Bill, 2004\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308060826/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/resume/193/scp.html.pdf\|archive-date=8 March 2013 }} It is inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script as a part of the state emblem.{{cite web\|title=State Emblem\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/state-emblem.php\|access-date=3 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=18 May 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518010717/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/state-emblem.php\|url-status=live}} The emblem was adopted by the constituent assembly on 30 December 1947. The emblem in its present form was designed by Dinanath Bhargava when the Constitution of India was adopted on 26 January 1950.
scope="row" \|National motto \|\| Satyameva Jayate ("Truth Alone Triumphs")
scope="row" \|National anthem \|\| Jana Gana Mana{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-anthem.php\|title=National Anthem\|access-date=3 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=18 May 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518010702/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-anthem.php\|url-status=live}} ("Thou Art the Ruler of the Minds of All People"){{cite web\|url=https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?2763\|title=English translation of Jana Gana Mana\|access-date=1 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174605/https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?2763\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:Jana Gana Mana sheet music.jpg File:Jana Gana Mana instrumental.ogg \|\| 24 January 1950 (Dominion of India) 26 January 1950 (Republic of India) \|\| "Jana Gana Mana" is taken from Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata, composed in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore on 11 December 1911.{{cite book\|author=Rabindranath Tagore\|title=The English Writings of Rabindranath Tagore: Poems\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bsTNd7_Jt4EC&pg=PA32\|year=2004\|publisher=Sahitya Akademi\|isbn=978-81-260-1295-4\|page=32\|access-date=15 April 2024\|archive-date=15 June 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615122254/https://books.google.com/books?id=bsTNd7_Jt4EC&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q&f=false\|url-status=live}} It was first publicly sung on 27 December 1911 at Calcutta.{{cite news\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/100-years-since-jana-gana-mana-was-born/article2752111.ece\|title=100 years since 'Jana Gana Mana' was born\|last=Chowdhury\|first=Arunangsu Roy\|newspaper=The Hindu\|access-date=11 April 2021\|archive-date=2 February 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202123236/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/100-years-since-jana-gana-mana-was-born/article2752111.ece\|url-status=live}} The first stanza of the song was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India as the national anthem on 24 January 1950.{{cite report\|title=Orders relating to National Anthem of India\|url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/NationalAnthem%28E%29_2.pdf\|publisher=Government of India\|access-date=22 August 2023\|quote="The composition consisting of the words and music of the first stanza of the late poet Rabindra Nath Tagore's song known as “Jana Gana Mana” is the National Anthem of India"\|archive-date=14 March 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314222824/https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/NationalAnthem(E)_2.pdf\|url-status=live}} The national anthem is played in approximately 52 seconds.
scope="row" \|National song \|\| Vande Mataram{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-song.php\|title=National Song\|access-date=3 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=18 May 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518010806/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-song.php\|url-status=live}} ("Mother, I bow to thee!"){{cite web\|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/events/republic-day-2024-know-the-meaning-and-history-of-vande-mataram-lyrics-article-107084356\|title=The meaning and history of Vande Mataram\|date=24 January 2024\|access-date=1 June 2024\|publisher=Times Now\|archive-date=27 January 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127190319/https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/events/republic-day-2024-know-the-meaning-and-history-of-vande-mataram-lyrics-article-107084356\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:Vande Mataram - Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (Raag Desh).png \|\| 24 January 1950 (Dominion of India) 26 January 1950 (Republic of India) \|\| Vande Mataram is a Sanskrit poem written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, first published in 1882 as part of the Bengali novel Anandmath.{{cite book\|author=Sabyasachi Bhattacharya\|title=Bande Mataram, the Biography of a Song\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJqfAAAAMAAJ\|year=2003\|publisher=Penguin\|isbn=978-0-14-303055-3\|pages=1–8, 73–76, 90–99\|access-date=15 April 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174603/https://books.google.com/books?id=cJqfAAAAMAAJ\|url-status=live}} The poem played a vital role in the Indian independence movement and gained political significance when it was recited by Tagore in 1896.{{cite book\|author=Diana L. Eck\|author-link=Diana L. Eck\|title=India: A Sacred Geography\|year=2012\|publisher=New York: Random House (Harmony Books)\|isbn=978-0-385-53190-0\|pages=95–97\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rNlJOSf__xYC\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174603/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/India/rNlJOSf__xYC?hl=en&gbpv=1\|url-status=live}} The first two verses of the song were adopted as the national song of India On 24 January 1950 by the Constituent Assembly of India.
scope="row" rowspan="3"\|National days \|\| Independence Day \|\| File:A still of Red Fort, during the 62nd Independence Day celebrations, in Delhi on August 15, 2008.jpg \|\| 15 August 1947{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/independence-day-celebration/\|title=Independence day\|publisher=Government of India\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=18 May 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518012028/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/independence-day-celebration/\|url-status=live}} \|\| The Indian Independence Act, 1947 was passed by the British Parliament in July 1947.{{cite web\|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2022/08/14/a-brief-history-of-non-independent-period-of-independent-india.html\|title=A brief history of non-Independent period of Independent India\|date=14 August 2022\|access-date=1 June 2024\|publisher=The Week\|archive-date=26 September 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926023356/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2022/08/14/a-brief-history-of-non-independent-period-of-independent-india.html\|url-status=live}} The Constituent Assembly of India met at 11 pm on 14 August in the Constitution Hall in New Delhi, chaired by Rajendra Prasad in which Nehru delivered the Tryst with Destiny speech proclaiming India's independence.{{cite web\|url=http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/debates/vol5p1.htm\|title=Constituent Assembly of India Volume V\|access-date=15 August 2013\|publisher=Parliament of India\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904092038/http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/debates/vol5p1.htm\|archive-date=4 September 2013}}{{cite web\|title=Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964): Speech On the Granting of Indian Independence, August 14, 1947\|url=http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1947nehru1.html\|publisher=Fordham University\|access-date=26 July 2012\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818123622/http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1947nehru1.html\|archive-date=18 August 2012}} The Dominion of India became an independent country on 15 August 1947.{{cite book\|last=Guha\|first=Ramachandra\|author-link=Ramachandra Guha\|title=India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy\|year=2007\|publisher=Macmillan Publishers\|location=London\|isbn=978-0-230-01654-5\|page=11\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AW4sDwAAQBAJ\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174603/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/India_After_Gandhi_The_History_of_the_Wo/AW4sDwAAQBAJ\|url-status=live}}
\| Republic Day	File:India-constitution-preamble.svg	26 January 1950{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/republic-day-celebration/republic-of-india.php\|title=Republic day of India\|publisher=Government of India\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=3 October 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003133500/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/republic-day-celebration/republic-of-india.php\|url-status=live}}	Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India and the country's transition to a republic on 26 January 1950.{{cite act\|url=https://static.mygov.in/indiancc/2020/12/mygov-1000000000877532914.pdf\|title=Constitution of India\|publisher=Constituent Assembly of India\|via=Government of India\|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news\|title=Republic Day, January 26: History, Significance & Celebration\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/republic-day-january-26-history-significance-celebration/articleshow/73604790.cms\|access-date=24 January 2021\|newspaper=The Times of India\|date=25 January 2020\|archive-date=12 December 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212230533/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/republic-day-january-26-history-significance-celebration/articleshow/73604790.cms\|url-status=live}} The date was chosen as the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj (complete independence) on this day in 1930.{{cite web\|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Purna-Swaraj-resolution\|title=Purna Swaraj resolution\|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=26 January 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126054145/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Purna-Swaraj-resolution\|url-status=live}}{{cite journal\|url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2022/Jan/engpdf/page1-3.pdf\|title=Purna Swaraj and our constitution\|author=Janamey Choudhary\|journal=Odisha Review\|date=January 2022\|pages=1–3\|issn=0970-8669\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174610/https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2022/Jan/engpdf/page1-3.pdf\|url-status=live}}
\| Gandhi Jayanti	File:Mahatma-Gandhi, studio, 1931.jpg	2 October	Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi espoused the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, played a key role in Indian Independence movement and, is regarded as the "Father of the Nation".{{cite web\|url=https://www.business-standard.com/about/when-is-gandhi-jayanti\|title=When is Gandhi Jayanti\|publisher=Business Standard\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=9 June 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609050333/https://www.business-standard.com/about/when-is-gandhi-jayanti\|url-status=live}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=22926&Cr=non&Cr1=violence\|title=UN declares 2 October, Gandhi's birthday, as International Day of Non-Violence\|publisher=United Nations\|date=15 June 2007\|access-date=9 October 2014\|archive-date=23 January 2012\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123011319/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=22926&Cr=non&Cr1=violence\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \|Oath of allegiance \|\| National Pledge{{cite web\|url=https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/event-detail.htm?68695\|title=Indian Pledge by Staff Members\|date=3 August 2022\|access-date=1 June 2024\|publisher=Ministry of Education, Government of India\|archive-date=14 August 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814211725/https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/event-detail.htm?68695\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:National Pledge of India.png \|\| 26 January 1965{{cite news\|url=https://htschool.hindustantimes.com/editorsdesk/knowledge-vine/do-you-know-we-have-a-national-pledge\|title=Do you know we have a National Pledge?\|date=20 February 2022\|access-date=1 December 2023\|newspaper=Hindustan Times\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174612/https://htschool.hindustantimes.com/editorsdesk/knowledge-vine/do-you-know-we-have-a-national-pledge\|url-status=live}} \|\| It was written in Telugu by Pydimarri Venkata Subba Rao in 1962.{{cite news\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/visakhapatnam-remembers-pledge-composer/articleshow/16390278.cms\|title=Visakhapatnam remembers 'pledge' composer\|newspaper=Times of India\|date=14 September 2012\|access-date=7 August 2021\|archive-date=7 August 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807092828/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/visakhapatnam-remembers-pledge-composer/articleshow/16390278.cms\|url-status=live}}{{cite news\|title=The 'Pledge', now 50, is the pride of Telugus!\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3896153.ece?homepage=true\|newspaper=The Hindu\|date=14 September 2012\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=29 November 2014\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129075226/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3896153.ece?homepage=true\|url-status=live}} The English version of the same was adopted as the national pledge.{{cite report\|url=https://www.rsdebate.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/534475/2/IQ_50_04121964_S375_p2427_p2429.pdf\|title=Rajya Sabha debate\|date=4 December 1964\|access-date=1 June 2024\|publisher=Parliament of India\|archive-date=14 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110619/https://www.rsdebate.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/534475/2/IQ_50_04121964_S375_p2427_p2429.pdf\|url-status=live}} The central advisory board on education directed that the pledge to be sung in schools from 26 January 1965.{{cite book\|last1=Biswas\|first1=Arabinda\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vKsVPua_E6sC&pg=PA140\|title=Development of education in India: a historical survey of educational documents before and after independence\|last2=Agrawal\|first2=S. P.\|date=1 January 1986\|publisher=Concept Publishing Company\|isbn=978-8-17022-066-4\|page=140\|access-date=27 January 2012}}
scope="row" \|National currency \|\| Indian Rupee{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/currency-symbol.php\|title=Currency symbol\|access-date=3 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=27 October 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027184739/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/currency-symbol.php\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:Indian Rupee symbol.svg \|\| 15 August 1947 15 July 2010 (symbol) \|\| Indian rupee (ISO code: INR) is the official currency of India, the issuance of which is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India.{{cite web\|url=https://www.rbi.org.in/commonperson/English/Scripts/FAQs.aspx?Id=3158\|title=Basics of Indian Currency/Currency Management\|publisher=Reserve Bank of India\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=15 December 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215134237/https://www.rbi.org.in/commonperson/English/Scripts/FAQs.aspx?Id=3158\|url-status=live}} Rupee is derived from rupya or rūpiya, which was used to denote various coins in usage since 4th century BCE.{{cite journal\|first=Shankar\|last=Goyal\|title=The Origin and Antiquity of Coinage in India\|journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute\|publisher=Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute\|volume=80\|number=1/4\|year=1999\|jstor=41694581\|page=144\|quote=Panini makes the statement (V.2.120) that a 'form' (rüpa) when 'stamped' (ahata) or when praise-worthy (prašamsa) takes the ending ya (i.e. rupya).}} The Indian rupee symbol, adopted in July 2010, is a combination of Devanagari "Ra" and the Roman letter "R" with two parallel horizontal lines at the top which represent the national flag and indicate equality.
scope="row" \|National calendar \|\| Indian National Calendar{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-calendar.php\|title=National Calendar\|access-date=3 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=29 October 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029094406/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-calendar.php\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:Indian national calendar.jpg \|\| 22 March 1957 \|\| The Indian national calendar, based on the Shaka era Hindu calendar was adopted on 22 March 1957. The calendar has 365 days across 12 months.{{cite report\|title=Report of the Calendar Reform Committee\|url=https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/handle/10973/39692\|year=1955\|pages=255–256\|publisher=Council of Scientific and Industrial Research\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=7 August 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807073031/https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/handle/10973/39692\|url-status=live}} It is used, alongside the Gregorian calendar, by The Gazette of India, in news broadcasts by All India Radio and in calendars and communications issued by the Government of India.
scope="row" \|National animal \|\| Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) \|\| File:Adult male Royal Bengal tiger.jpg \|\| April 1973{{cite news\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/tiger-grabbed-lions-national-animal-status/articleshow/56633322.cms\|title=Tiger grabbed lion's national animal status\|newspaper=The Times of India\|date=18 January 2017\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=29 May 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529125906/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/tiger-grabbed-lions-national-animal-status/articleshow/56633322.cms\|url-status=live}} \|\| The Bengal tiger was chosen as the national animal in a meeting of the Indian wildlife board in 1972 and was adopted officially in April 1973. It was chosen over the Asiatic lion due to the wider presence of the tiger across India.{{cite news\|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/royal-bengal-tiger-the-national-animal-of-india-1457002074-1\|title=Royal Bengal Tiger: The National Animal of India\|date=18 November 2019\|access-date=1 December 2023\|work=Jagranjosh\|archive-date=26 February 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226093611/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/royal-bengal-tiger-the-national-animal-of-india-1457002074-1\|url-status=live}} Tiger is one of the big cats with prominent black stripes on a yellow coat and represents grace, strength, agility and power.{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-animal.php\|title=National Animal\|access-date=3 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=29 October 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029082319/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-animal.php\|url-status=live}} As of 2023, India is home to almost 75% of the world's wild tiger population.{{cite report\|author1=Qureshi, Q.\|author2=Jhala, Y. V.\|author3=Yadav, S. P.\|author4=Mallick, A.\|name-list-style=amp\|year=2023\|title=Status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India 2022\|publisher=National Tiger Conservation Authority & Wildlife Institute of India\|location=New Delhi, Dehradun\|url=https://wii.gov.in/images//images/documents/publications/statu_tiger_copredators-2022.pdf\|access-date=15 April 2024\|archive-date=5 May 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505145403/https://wii.gov.in/images//images/documents/publications/statu_tiger_copredators-2022.pdf\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \|National bird \|\| Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) \|\| File:Blue Peacock Safari Park.jpg \|\| 1 February 1963{{cite web\|url=https://www.news9live.com/knowledge/do-you-know-why-peacock-is-considered-the-national-bird-of-india-2248865\|title=Why peacock is considered the national bird\|date=14 August 2023\|access-date=1 December 2023\|publisher=News9\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174612/https://www.news9live.com/knowledge/do-you-know-why-peacock-is-considered-the-national-bird-of-india-2248865\|url-status=live}} \|\| Indian peacock was designated as the national bird of India in February 1963.{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-bird.php\|title=National Bird\|access-date=3 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=29 October 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029051307/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-bird.php\|url-status=live}} A bird indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, the peacock is a colourful bird, with males being larger than females and consisting of blue neck and a spectacular long train made up of elongated upper-tail covert feathers with colourful eyespots, which it raises into an arched fan during courtship.{{cite book\|url=https://archive.org/stream/popularhandbooko033226mbp#page/n458/mode/1up/ \|author=Hugh Whistler\|year=1949\|title=Popular handbook of Indian birds\|pages=401–410\|edition=4th\|publisher=Gurney and Jackson\|isbn=978-1-4067-4576-4}}{{cite book\|pages=681–70\|url= https://archive.org/stream/birdsindia04oaterich#page/68/mode/1up\|title= The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Birds\|volume=4\|year=1898\|author=WT Blanford\|publisher=Taylor and Francis}}
scope="row" \|National heritage animal \|\| Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus){{cite web\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/significant-symbols/article2336245.ece\|title=Significant symbols\|date=8 August 2011\|access-date=1 December 2023\|work=The Hindu\|archive-date=25 November 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125120559/https://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/significant-symbols/article2336245.ece\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:Elephas maximus (Bandipur).jpg \|\| 22 October 2010{{cite news\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/elephant-declared-national-heritage-animal/story-aSazcUQPTq24eqGEpe4OCO.html\|title=Elephant declared national heritage animal\|date=10 October 2010\|access-date=1 December 2023\|newspaper=Hindustan Times\|archive-date=6 June 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606215038/https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/elephant-declared-national-heritage-animal/story-aSazcUQPTq24eqGEpe4OCO.html\|url-status=live}} \|\| Indian elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal in India and a cultural symbol throughout its range, appearing in various religious traditions and mythologies.{{cite book\|title= India – Mahabharata. Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminar Abroad 1994 (India)\|first1=Carole\|last1=DeVito\|first2=Pasquale\|last2=DeVito\|publisher=United States Educational Foundation in India\|year=1994\|page=4}}{{cite book\|last=Martin-Dubost\|first=Paul\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H5DjAAAAMAAJ\|title=Gaṇeśa, the Enchanter of the Three Worlds\|date=1997\|publisher=Franco-Indian Research\|isbn=978-8-19001-843-2\|pages=412–416}} It is native to mainland Asia with nearly three-fourth of the population found in India.{{cite web\|url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/indian-elephant\|title=Indian elephant\|publisher=WWF\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=19 November 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119202830/https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/indian-elephant\|url-status=live}}{{cite news\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/india-has-27312-elephants-census-shows/article19504528.ece\|title=India has 27,312 elephants, census shows\|newspaper=The Hindu\|date=16 August 2017\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=3 December 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203094419/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/india-has-27312-elephants-census-shows/article19504528.ece\|url-status=live}} It was declared as the national heritage animal of India on 22 October 2010.{{cite press release\|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=65467\|title=MOEF to Declare Elephant as National Heritage Animal\|date=31 August 2010\|publisher=Government of India\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=29 May 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529163132/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=65467\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \|National tree \|\| Indian Banyan (Ficus benghalensis){{cite report\|url=https://greentribunal.gov.in/gen_pdf_test.php?filepath=L25ndF9kb2N1bWVudHMvbmd0L2Nhc2Vkb2MvanVkZ2VtZW50cy9DSEVOTkFJLzIwMjMtMTEtMDYvMTY5OTI2OTM2NTEzNTgyNDM2NDA2NTQ4Y2FmNTU1ZjY5LnBkZg==\|title=Judgement of National Green Tribunal South Zone\|publisher=National Green Tribunal\|date=6 November 2023\|page=2\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=25 February 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225173503/https://greentribunal.gov.in/gen_pdf_test.php?filepath=L25ndF9kb2N1bWVudHMvbmd0L2Nhc2Vkb2MvanVkZ2VtZW50cy9DSEVOTkFJLzIwMjMtMTEtMDYvMTY5OTI2OTM2NTEzNTgyNDM2NDA2NTQ4Y2FmNTU1ZjY5LnBkZg==\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:The great banyan tree.jpg \|\| 1950{{cite web\|url=https://www.adda247.com/school/national-tree-of-india-banyan/\|title=National Tree of India\|publisher=Adda247\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=2 October 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002122437/https://www.adda247.com/school/national-tree-of-india-banyan/\|url-status=live}} \|\| Indian banyan is a large tree native to the Indian subcontinent and produces aerial roots from the branches which grow downwards, eventually becoming trunks.{{cite web\|title=Ficus benghalensis\|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:852482-1/general-information\|access-date=19 June 2022\|publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens\|archive-date=23 January 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123043324/https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:852482-1/general-information\|url-status=live}} Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India.{{cite web\|title=National Tree\|url=http://knowindia.gov.in/knowindia/national_symbols.php?id=5\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122081829/http://www.knowindia.gov.in/knowindia/national_symbols.php?id=5\|archive-date=22 January 2013\|access-date=3 April 2012\|publisher=Government of India}} The tree's structure and deep roots symbolise unity and as the tree gives shelter to various organisms , it denotes India and its people from different backgrounds.
scope="row" \|National fruit \|\| Mango (Mangifera indica){{cite web\|url=https://www.utsav.gov.in/view-event/national-mango-festival\|title=National Mango Festival\|publisher=Ministry of Tourism, Government of India\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=14 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110732/https://www.utsav.gov.in/view-event/national-mango-festival\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:Hapus Mango.jpg \|\| 1950{{cite web\|url=https://www.culturalindia.net/national-symbols/national-fruit.html\|title=National fruit\|publisher=Cultural India\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=15 June 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615122907/https://www.culturalindia.net/national-symbols/national-fruit.html\|url-status=live}} \|\| Mango is a large fruit tree with many varieties, believed to have originated in northeast India.{{cite web\|author1=Morton\|first=Julia F.\|date=1987\|title=Mango (Mangifera indica L.)\|url=https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mango_ars.html\|access-date=24 December 2021\|publisher=In: Fruits of Warm Climates; New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University\|pages=221–239\|archive-date=22 December 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222014215/https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mango_ars.html\|url-status=live}}{{cite journal\|last1=Kuhn\|first1=David N.\|last2=Bally\|first2=Ian S. E.\|last3=Dillon\|first3=Natalie L.\|last4=Innes\|first4=David\|last5=Groh\|first5=Amy M.\|last6=Rahaman\|first6=Jordon\|last7=Ophir\|first7=Ron\|last8=Cohen\|first8=Yuval\|last9=Sherman\|first9=Amir\|date=20 April 2017\|title=Genetic Map of Mango: A Tool for Mango Breeding\|journal=Frontiers in Plant Science\|volume=8\|pages=577\|doi=10.3389/fpls.2017.00577\|pmc=5397511\|pmid=28473837\|doi-access=free}}{{cite journal\|last1=Warschefsky\|first1=Emily J.\|last2=Wettberg\|first2=Eric J. B.\|date=June 2019\|title=Population genomic analysis of mango (Mangifera indica) suggests a complex history of domestication\|journal=New Phytologist\|volume=222\|issue=4\|pages=2023–2037\|doi=10.1111/nph.15731\|pmid=30730057\|doi-access=free}} It has been cultivated in India since ancient times and is known for its deliciousness. It is considered an economically important fruit in India and the country is the largest producer of mangoes worldwide.{{cite web\|title=FAO statistics\|url=https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize\|work=FAO\|access-date=24 March 2024\|archive-date=12 November 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112130804/https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \|National aquatic animal \|\| Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica){{cite press release\|url=https://www.nmcg.nic.in/writereaddata/fileupload/1_Dolphins_press_n.pdf\|title=Dolphin Declared National Aquatic Animal\|date=18 May 2010\|access-date=1 June 2024\|publisher=Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India\|archive-date=1 June 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601172732/https://www.nmcg.nic.in/writereaddata/fileupload/1_Dolphins_press_n.pdf\|url-status=live}}{{cite news\|title=Dolphin becomes India's national aquatic animal\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/india/Dolphin-becomes-India-s-national-aquatic-animal/Article1-461628.aspx\|newspaper=Hindustan Times\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008010352/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/india/Dolphin-becomes-India-s-national-aquatic-animal/Article1-461628.aspx\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=8 October 2009}} \|\| File:Ganges River Dolphin cropped.jpg \|\| 18 May 2010{{cite report\|url=https://www.nmcg.nic.in/writereaddata/fileupload/1_Dolphins_press_n.pdf\|title=Dolphin Declared National Aquatic Animal\|access-date=3 April 2024\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-date=1 June 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601172732/https://www.nmcg.nic.in/writereaddata/fileupload/1_Dolphins_press_n.pdf\|url-status=live}} \|\| The Ganges river dolphin is an endangered freshwater or river dolphin endemic to the Indian subcontinent and is found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers in India. It was announced as the national aquatic animal in May 2010 to raise awareness towards its conservation.
scope="row" \|National reptile \| \|King cobra (Ophiophagus hanna) \|\| File:12 - The Mystical King Cobra and Coffee Forests.jpg \|\| \|\| King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake and endemic to Asia.{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4VmLdh87uhUC\|title=King Cobra: The World's Longest Venomous Snake\|author=Leon Gray\|year=2013\|isbn=978-1-61772-732-0\|publisher=Bearport Publishing\|page=1\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175114/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/King_Cobra/4VmLdh87uhUC\|url-status=live}} The species has diversified coloration and possess a unique threat display, spreading its neck-flap and raising its head upright and hissing.{{cite book\|last1=Lillywhite\|first1=Harvey B.\|year=2014\|title=How Snakes Work: Structure, Function and Behavior of the World's Snakes\|publisher=Oxford University Press\|page=241\|isbn=978-0-19-538037-8}}{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KF9CvJDilDMC\|page=6\|title=King Cobras\|author=James E. Gerholdt\|year=1996\|isbn=978-1-56239-516-2\|publisher=Abdo & Daughters\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175117/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/King_Cobras/KF9CvJDilDMC\|url-status=live}} The snake occupies an eminent position in the mythology and folklore of India.{{cite book\|author=S.A. Minton Jr.\|author2=M.R. Minton\|year=1980\|title=Venomous reptiles\|url=https://archive.org/details/venomousreptiles0000mint\|url-access=registration\|publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons\|isbn=978-0-684-16626-1}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/visualstories/webstories/ancient-snakes-of-india-130305-20-04-2024\|title=Ancient snakes of India\|date=20 April 2024\|access-date=1 June 2024\|publisher=India Today\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175115/https://www.indiatodayne.in/visualstories/webstories/ancient-snakes-of-india-130305-20-04-2024\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \|National river \|\| Ganges River{{cite press release\|url=https://archivepmo.nic.in/drmanmohansingh/press-details.php?nodeid=830\|title=Ganga to be declared a "National River"\|publisher=Prime Minister's Office, Government of India\|date=4 November 2008\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=14 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110717/https://archivepmo.nic.in/drmanmohansingh/press-details.php?nodeid=830\|url-status=live}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.nmcg.nic.in/ganga_basin.aspx\|title=National Mission for Clean Ganga\|publisher=\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=29 May 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529104027/https://nmcg.nic.in/ganga_basin.aspx\|url-status=live}} \|\| File:Dashawamedha Ghat in Varanasi 1.jpg \|\| 4 November 2008{{cite news\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/first-anniversary-of-ganga-being-declared-as-national-river-of-india/articleshow/5196763.cms\|title=First anniversary of Ganga being declared as National River of India\|date=4 November 2009\|access-date=1 December 2023\|newspaper=The Times of India\|archive-date=26 March 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326110346/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/first-anniversary-of-ganga-being-declared-as-national-river-of-india/articleshow/5196763.cms\|url-status=live}} \|\| The Ganges rises in the western Himalayas and flows south and east through the Gangetic plain of North India.{{cite book\|last=Swain\|first=Ashok\|title=Managing Water Conflict: Asia, Africa, and the Middle East\|publisher=Routledge\|page=54\|year=2004\|isbn=978-1-135-76883-6}} It has been important historically with many cities located on its banks and is a lifeline to millions of people who live along its course.{{cite book\|last=Rice\|first=Earle\|title=The Ganges River\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdeXBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA25\|year=2012\|publisher=Mitchell Lane Publishers\|isbn=978-1-61228-368-5\|page=25\|access-date=22 March 2017\|archive-date=28 March 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328172550/https://books.google.com/books?id=vdeXBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA25#v=onepage&q&f=false\|url-status=live}} It is considered as a sacred river and worshipped as a goddess in Hinduism.{{cite book\|last=Alter\|first=Stephen\|title=Sacred Waters: A Pilgrimage Up the Ganges River to the Source of Hindu Culture\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qb9yQgAACAAJ\|access-date=30 July 2013\|year=2001\|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade & Reference Publishers\|isbn=978-0-15-100585-7\|archive-date=24 March 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324113652/https://books.google.com/books?id=qb9yQgAACAAJ\|url-status=live}}{{cite book\|last1=Bhattacharji\|first1=Sukumari\|last2=Bandyopadhyay\|first2=Ramananda\|title=Legends of Devi\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B0j0hRgWsg8C&pg=PA54\|access-date=27 April 2011\|year=1995\|publisher=Orient Blackswan\|isbn=978-81-250-0781-4\|page=54\|archive-date=28 March 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328172609/https://books.google.com/books?id=B0j0hRgWsg8C&pg=PA54#v=onepage&q&f=false\|url-status=live}} In November 2008, Ganges was declared as a national river due to its close association with the lives of millions of Indians.
scope="row" \|National microbe \|\| Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus{{cite web\|title=Education for Biodiversity Conservation\|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=88487\|publisher=Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=29 November 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129082057/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=88487\|url-status=live}} \|\|File:20101210 014809 LactobacillusBulgaricus.jpg \|\| 18 October 2012 \|\| Lactobacillus bulgaricus is a gram-positive bacterium used for the production of yogurt and plays a crucial role in natural processes involving fermented products.{{cite journal\|last1=Stachelska\|first1=Milena Alicja\|last2=Foligni\|first2=Roberta\|date=2018\|title=Development of a time-effective and highly specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the identification of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in artisanal raw cow's milk cheese\|journal=Acta Veterinaria Brno\|volume=87\|issue=3\|pages=301–308\|doi=10.2754/avb201887030301\|issn=0001-7213\|doi-access=free}} It is also considered a probiotic.{{cite journal\|last1=School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi?an, China\|last2=Shaanxi Heshi Dairy, China\|last3=Chen\|first3=He\|last4=Huang\|first4=Jie\|last5=Shi\|first5=Xiaoyu\|last6=Li\|first6=Yichao\|last7=Liu\|first7=Yu\|date=30 December 2017\|title=Effects of six substances on the growth and freeze-drying of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus [pdf]\|journal=Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Technologia Alimentaria\|volume=16\|issue=4\|pages=403–412\|doi=10.17306/J.AFS.2017.0512\|doi-access=free\|pmid=29241319 }} It was declared as the national microbe in 18 October 2012 and was selected by children through voting.
scope="row" \|National flower \|\| Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera){{cite web\|url=https://sulabhenvis.nic.in/KidsCentre/NationalSymbols_226.aspx\|title=National symbols of India\|publisher=ENVIS, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=2 February 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202212000/http://www.sulabhenvis.nic.in/KidsCentre/NationalSymbols_226.aspx\|url-status=live}}{{cite web\|url=https://knowindia.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-flower.php\|title=National flower\|url-status=dead\|publisher=Government of India\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328194051/https://knowindia.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-flower.php\|archive-date=28 March 2020}} \|\| File:Nelumno nucifera open flower - botanic garden adelaide2.jpg \|\|1950{{cite news\|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/lotus-flower-is-associated-with-india-s-cultural-identity-rajnath-singh-in-haryana-1162058.html\|title=Lotus flower is associated with India's cultural identity\|date=13 November 2022\|access-date=1 December 2023\|newspaper=Deccan Herald\|archive-date=18 April 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418141645/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/lotus-flower-is-associated-with-india-s-cultural-identity-rajnath-singh-in-haryana-1162058.html\|url-status=live}} \|\|Lotus is an aquatic plant adapted to grow in the flood plains. Lotus seeds can remain dormant and viable for many years, therefore the plant is regarded as a symbol of longevity.{{cite web\|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/sacred-lotus-may-hold-secret-of-longevity-41162\|title=Sacred lotus may hold secret of longevity\|date=24 May 2013 \|publisher=Down to Earth\|access-date=1 June 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175114/https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/sacred-lotus-may-hold-secret-of-longevity-41162\|url-status=live}}{{cite journal\|doi=10.3732/ajb.89.2.236\|title=Long-living lotus: Germination and soil -irradiation of centuries-old fruits, and cultivation, growth, and phenotypic abnormalities of offspring\|year=2002\|last1=Shen-Miller\|first1=J.\|last2=Schopf\|first2=J. W.\|last3=Harbottle\|first3=G.\|last4=Cao\|first4=R.-j.\|last5=Ouyang\|first5=S.\|last6=Zhou\|first6=K.-s.\|last7=Southon\|first7=J. R.\|last8=Liu\|first8=G.-h.\|journal=American Journal of Botany\|volume=89\|issue=2\|pages=236–47\|pmid=21669732}} It occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture.{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yc64EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA552\|page=552\|title=A New Look at Modern Indian History : From 1707 to The Modern Times\|isbn=978-9-35501-683-6\|publisher=S. Chand Publishing\|access-date=13 July 2024\|archive-date=13 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175113/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_New_Look_at_Modern_Indian_History_From/Yc64EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA552\|url-status=live}}{{cite web\|title=Sacred Lotus\|url=https://www.britannica.com/plant/sacred-lotus\|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica\|access-date=4 May 2023\|archive-date=7 March 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307231351/https://www.britannica.com/plant/sacred-lotus\|url-status=live}} While the flower was stated to be declared as the national flower of India in 1950, the government has declared that no national flower exists despite contrary claims made by government officials and ministers.{{cite news\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/there-is-no-national-flower-for-india-minister-tells-in-rajya-sabha/article28350530.ece\|title=There is no 'national flower' for India, Minister tells in Rajya Sabha\|date=10 July 2019\|access-date=1 June 2024\|newspaper=The Hindu\|archive-date=9 November 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109080222/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/there-is-no-national-flower-for-india-minister-tells-in-rajya-sabha/article28350530.ece\|url-status=live}}{{cite news\|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/mea-controversy-is-lotus-the-national-flower-785502.html\|title=MEA controversy: Is lotus the national flower?\|date=14 December 2019\|access-date=1 June 2024\|newspaper=Deccan Herald\|archive-date=14 July 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110722/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/mea-controversy-is-lotus-the-national-flower-785502.html\|url-status=live}}
scope="row" \|National game \|\| Field hockey \|\| File:Dhyan Chand 1936 final.jpg \|\| \|\| Field hockey is a team sport in which India has won the gold at the Summer Olympics eight times, the most by any nation.{{cite web\|url=https://khelnow.com/olympic-sports/top-five-records-of-indian-mens-hockey-team\|title=Indian field hockey records\|access-date=14 August 2021\|archive-date=14 August 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814144944/https://khelnow.com/olympic-sports/top-five-records-of-indian-mens-hockey-team\|url-status=live}} As per a 2012 reply from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to a RTI query, there was no declared national game in India.{{cite news\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/hockey-is-not-our-national-game-ministry/articleshow/15322482.cms\|title=Hockey is not our national game: Ministry\|date=2 August 2012\|access-date=1 December 2023\|newspaper=The Times of India\|archive-date=24 December 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224224838/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/Hockey-is-not-our-national-game-Ministry/articleshow/15322482.cms\|url-status=live}} But Field hockey continues to be listed as the national game in Indian Government websites and text books.{{cite news\|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/govt-to-review-its-portal-article-on-hockey-as-national-game-112080500165_1.html\|title=Govt to review its portal article on hockey as national game\|newspaper=Business Standard\|date=23 January 2012\|access-date=1 December 2023\|archive-date=23 February 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223151700/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/govt-to-review-its-portal-article-on-hockey-as-national-game-112080500165_1.html\|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+{{sronly|National symbols of India}}

! scope="col" | Symbol

! scope="col" | Name

! scope="col" | Image

! scope="col" | Adopted

! scope="col" | Notes

scope="row" |Official name

|| Republic of India (Bharat Ganarajya){{cite web|url=https://www.india.gov.in/india-glance/profile|title=India at a glance|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=1 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501162753/https://www.india.gov.in/india-glance/profile|url-status=live}} || File:India-map-en.svg || 26 January 1950{{cite act|title=The Constitution of India|date=26 January 1950|legislature=Constituent Assembly of India|url=https://lawmin.nic.in/coi/coiason29july08.pdf|access-date=3 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909230437/https://lawmin.nic.in/coi/coiason29july08.pdf|url-status=dead|via=Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India|quote=Article 1(1): India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.|archive-date=9 September 2014}} || The Constitution of India uses the official names of India and Bharat.{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/india-bharat-name-history-8925757/|title=India, that is Bharat: A short history of the nation's names, from the Rig Veda to the Constitution of India|date=9 September 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=The Indian Express|archive-date=10 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010134513/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/india-bharat-name-history-8925757/|url-status=live}} The name "India" is derived from the Classical Latin India, a reference to the region beyond the Indus River. In turn, the name "India" was derived successively from Hellenistic Greek India ( Ἰνδία), ancient Greek Indos ( Ἰνδός), Old Persian Hindush (an eastern province of the Achaemenid Empire), and ultimately its cognate, the Sanskrit Sindhu, or "river", specifically the Indus River and, by implication, its settled basin.{{cite web|title=Etymology of India|url=https://www.worldhistory.org/article/203/etymology-of-the-name-india/|publisher=World History|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228225719/https://www.worldhistory.org/article/203/etymology-of-the-name-india/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=India (noun)|url=https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/94384#eid677811|work=Oxford English Dictionary|year=2009|edition=3rd|access-date=15 April 2024|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415040513/https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/94384#eid677811|url-status=live}}

The term Bharat ({{transliteration|hi|ISO|Bhārat}}), mentioned in the ancient Hindu literature, is used in several Indian languages. Though Vedic literature uses the word to mention the Bharatha tribe, the earliest usage of the word to represent a larger territory was in the first century BCE.{{cite book|last=Jha|first=Dwijendra Narayan|title=Rethinking Hindu Identity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dqDgBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA11|page=11|year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-49034-0}} It is derived from the region Bharatavarsha ruled by king Bharatha, whose name literally means "the shining one".{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/origins-of-bharat-and-india-2456068-2023-10-31|title=Two names, one nation: The origins of 'Bharat' and 'India'|date=31 October 2023|access-date=1 June 2024|publisher=India Today|archive-date=30 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530135505/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/origins-of-bharat-and-india-2456068-2023-10-31|url-status=live}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_vsFEQAAQBAJ&pg=PR16|page=16|title=Religion in India: Past and Present|author=Lawrence A. Babb|year=2020|isbn=978-1-78046-623-1|publisher=Liverpool University Press|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=14 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110719/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Religion_in_India/_vsFEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PR16|url-status=live}} A modern rendering of the historical name, Bharat became a native name for India in the mid-20th century after its mention in the constitution.{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/india-bharat-name-history-8925757/|title=India, that is Bharat: A short history of the nation's names, from the Rig Veda to the Constitution of India|newspaper=The Indian Express|author=Adrija Roychowdhury|date=9 September 2023|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=23 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423134029/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/india-bharat-name-history-8925757/|url-status=live}}

scope="row" |National flag

|| Flag of India || File:Flag of India.svg || 15 August 1947 (Dominion of India){{cite journal|last=Jha|first=Sadan|title=The Indian National Flag as a site of daily plebiscite|date=25 October 2008|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|pages=102–111|issn=0012-9976|oclc=1567377}}

26 January 1950 (Republic of India){{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/my-india-my-pride/indian-tricolor.php|title=Indian tricolor|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307084402/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/my-india-my-pride/indian-tricolor.php|url-status=live}} || The Indian flag is a horizontal rectangular tricolour with equally sized deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and India green at the bottom with the Dharma chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre. The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three. Saffron indicates the strength and courage, white represents peace, green expresses fertility, growth and auspiciousness with the chakra symbolising truth.{{cite web|title=National Symbols|url=https://www.india.gov.in/india-glance/national-symbols|access-date=14 August 2022|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=1 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501093137/https://www.india.gov.in/india-glance/national-symbols|url-status=live}}

The flag was designed based on the swaraj flag design proposed by Pingali Venkayya.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9F9YEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA355|page=355|title=Post Independence India|year=2022|author1=Muzaffar H. Syed|author2=Anil Kumar|author3=B.D. Usmani|author4=Pramod Gupta|publisher=K.K. Publications|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174601/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Post_Independence_India/9F9YEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA355|url-status=live}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zS-DDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT177|page=177|title=Gandhi: The Years that Changed the World|author=Ramachandra Guha|author-link=Ramachandra Guha|year=2019|isbn=978-9-35305-259-1|publisher=Penguin Random House|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174602/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Gandhi/zS-DDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT177|url-status=live}} The tricolour flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947.{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-flag.php|title=National flag|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=15 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715024706/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-flag.php|url-status=live}} It was unfurled by the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15 August 1947.{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/where-did-nehru-unfurl-tricolour-on-august-15-1947-it-wasn-t-the-red-fort-123081400225_1.html|title=Where did Nehru unfurl Tricolour on August 15, 1947? It wasn't the Red Fort|publisher=Business Standard|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174602/https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/where-did-nehru-unfurl-tricolour-on-august-15-1947-it-wasn-t-the-red-fort-123081400225_1.html|url-status=live}}

scope="row" |National emblem

|| State Emblem of India ||rowspan="2"|File:Emblem of India.svg ||rowspan="2"|30 December 1947 (Dominion of India){{cite press release|title=Press Communique' – State Emblem|url=http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20804-BR/HOM-1947-12-30_116.pdf|publisher=Government of India|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193914/http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20804-BR/HOM-1947-12-30_116.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2017}}

26 January 1950 (Republic of India) ||rowspan="2"|The national emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath consisting of four Asiatic lions standing back to back, symbolising power, courage, confidence and faith.{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/STATE_EMBLEM_ACT2005.pdf|title=The State Emblem Of India (Prohibition Of Improper Use) Act, 2005|date=20 December 2005|access-date=15 April 2012|page=4|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319192231/http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/STATE_EMBLEM_ACT2005.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2013}} The lions are mounted on a circular abacus over a bell-shaped lotus. The abacus has a frieze carrying the reliefs of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion with a Dharma chakra in the middle.

The motto "Satyameva Jayate" (English: Truth Alone Triumphs) is a quote taken from Mundaka Upanishad, the concluding part of the sacred Hindu Vedas.{{ cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/resume/193/scp.html.pdf|title=Rajya Sabha Parliamentary Standing Committee On Home Affairs: 116th Report on The State Emblem Of India (Prohibition Of Improper Use) Bill, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308060826/http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/resume/193/scp.html.pdf|archive-date=8 March 2013 }} It is inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script as a part of the state emblem.{{cite web|title=State Emblem|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/state-emblem.php|access-date=3 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518010717/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/state-emblem.php|url-status=live}} The emblem was adopted by the constituent assembly on 30 December 1947. The emblem in its present form was designed by Dinanath Bhargava when the Constitution of India was adopted on 26 January 1950.

scope="row" |National motto

|| Satyameva Jayate
("Truth Alone Triumphs")

scope="row" |National anthem

|| Jana Gana Mana{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-anthem.php|title=National Anthem|access-date=3 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518010702/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-anthem.php|url-status=live}}
("Thou Art the Ruler of the Minds of All People"){{cite web|url=https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?2763|title=English translation of Jana Gana Mana|access-date=1 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174605/https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?2763|url-status=live}} || File:Jana Gana Mana sheet music.jpg File:Jana Gana Mana instrumental.ogg || 24 January 1950 (Dominion of India)

26 January 1950 (Republic of India) || "Jana Gana Mana" is taken from Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata, composed in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore on 11 December 1911.{{cite book|author=Rabindranath Tagore|title=The English Writings of Rabindranath Tagore: Poems|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bsTNd7_Jt4EC&pg=PA32|year=2004|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1295-4|page=32|access-date=15 April 2024|archive-date=15 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615122254/https://books.google.com/books?id=bsTNd7_Jt4EC&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}} It was first publicly sung on 27 December 1911 at Calcutta.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/100-years-since-jana-gana-mana-was-born/article2752111.ece|title=100 years since 'Jana Gana Mana' was born|last=Chowdhury|first=Arunangsu Roy|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=11 April 2021|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202123236/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/100-years-since-jana-gana-mana-was-born/article2752111.ece|url-status=live}} The first stanza of the song was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India as the national anthem on 24 January 1950.{{cite report|title=Orders relating to National Anthem of India|url=https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/NationalAnthem%28E%29_2.pdf|publisher=Government of India|access-date=22 August 2023|quote="The composition consisting of the words and music of the first stanza of the late poet Rabindra Nath Tagore's song known as “Jana Gana Mana” is the National Anthem of India"|archive-date=14 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314222824/https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/NationalAnthem(E)_2.pdf|url-status=live}} The national anthem is played in approximately 52 seconds.

scope="row" |National song

|| Vande Mataram{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-song.php|title=National Song|access-date=3 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518010806/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-song.php|url-status=live}}
("Mother, I bow to thee!"){{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/events/republic-day-2024-know-the-meaning-and-history-of-vande-mataram-lyrics-article-107084356|title=The meaning and history of Vande Mataram|date=24 January 2024|access-date=1 June 2024|publisher=Times Now|archive-date=27 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127190319/https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/events/republic-day-2024-know-the-meaning-and-history-of-vande-mataram-lyrics-article-107084356|url-status=live}} || File:Vande Mataram - Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (Raag Desh).png || 24 January 1950 (Dominion of India)

26 January 1950 (Republic of India) || Vande Mataram is a Sanskrit poem written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, first published in 1882 as part of the Bengali novel Anandmath.{{cite book|author=Sabyasachi Bhattacharya|title=Bande Mataram, the Biography of a Song|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJqfAAAAMAAJ|year=2003|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-14-303055-3|pages=1–8, 73–76, 90–99|access-date=15 April 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174603/https://books.google.com/books?id=cJqfAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}} The poem played a vital role in the Indian independence movement and gained political significance when it was recited by Tagore in 1896.{{cite book|author=Diana L. Eck|author-link=Diana L. Eck|title=India: A Sacred Geography|year=2012|publisher=New York: Random House (Harmony Books)|isbn=978-0-385-53190-0|pages=95–97|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rNlJOSf__xYC|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174603/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/India/rNlJOSf__xYC?hl=en&gbpv=1|url-status=live}} The first two verses of the song were adopted as the national song of India On 24 January 1950 by the Constituent Assembly of India.

scope="row" rowspan="3"|National days

|| Independence Day || File:A still of Red Fort, during the 62nd Independence Day celebrations, in Delhi on August 15, 2008.jpg || 15 August 1947{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/independence-day-celebration/|title=Independence day|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518012028/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/independence-day-celebration/|url-status=live}} || The Indian Independence Act, 1947 was passed by the British Parliament in July 1947.{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2022/08/14/a-brief-history-of-non-independent-period-of-independent-india.html|title=A brief history of non-Independent period of Independent India|date=14 August 2022|access-date=1 June 2024|publisher=The Week|archive-date=26 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926023356/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2022/08/14/a-brief-history-of-non-independent-period-of-independent-india.html|url-status=live}} The Constituent Assembly of India met at 11 pm on 14 August in the Constitution Hall in New Delhi, chaired by Rajendra Prasad in which Nehru delivered the Tryst with Destiny speech proclaiming India's independence.{{cite web|url=http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/debates/vol5p1.htm|title=Constituent Assembly of India Volume V|access-date=15 August 2013|publisher=Parliament of India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904092038/http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/debates/vol5p1.htm|archive-date=4 September 2013}}{{cite web|title=Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964): Speech On the Granting of Indian Independence, August 14, 1947|url=http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1947nehru1.html|publisher=Fordham University|access-date=26 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818123622/http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1947nehru1.html|archive-date=18 August 2012}} The Dominion of India became an independent country on 15 August 1947.{{cite book|last=Guha|first=Ramachandra|author-link=Ramachandra Guha|title=India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy|year=2007|publisher=Macmillan Publishers|location=London|isbn=978-0-230-01654-5|page=11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AW4sDwAAQBAJ|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174603/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/India_After_Gandhi_The_History_of_the_Wo/AW4sDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}

| Republic Day

File:India-constitution-preamble.svg

26 January 1950{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/republic-day-celebration/republic-of-india.php|title=Republic day of India|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003133500/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/republic-day-celebration/republic-of-india.php|url-status=live}}

Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India and the country's transition to a republic on 26 January 1950.{{cite act|url=https://static.mygov.in/indiancc/2020/12/mygov-1000000000877532914.pdf|title=Constitution of India|publisher=Constituent Assembly of India|via=Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|title=Republic Day, January 26: History, Significance & Celebration|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/republic-day-january-26-history-significance-celebration/articleshow/73604790.cms|access-date=24 January 2021|newspaper=The Times of India|date=25 January 2020|archive-date=12 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212230533/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/republic-day-january-26-history-significance-celebration/articleshow/73604790.cms|url-status=live}} The date was chosen as the Indian National Congress proclaimed Purna Swaraj (complete independence) on this day in 1930.{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Purna-Swaraj-resolution|title=Purna Swaraj resolution|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126054145/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Purna-Swaraj-resolution|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2022/Jan/engpdf/page1-3.pdf|title=Purna Swaraj and our constitution|author=Janamey Choudhary|journal=Odisha Review|date=January 2022|pages=1–3|issn=0970-8669|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174610/https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2022/Jan/engpdf/page1-3.pdf|url-status=live}}

| Gandhi Jayanti

File:Mahatma-Gandhi, studio, 1931.jpg

2 October

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi espoused the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, played a key role in Indian Independence movement and, is regarded as the "Father of the Nation".{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/about/when-is-gandhi-jayanti|title=When is Gandhi Jayanti|publisher=Business Standard|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=9 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609050333/https://www.business-standard.com/about/when-is-gandhi-jayanti|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=22926&Cr=non&Cr1=violence|title=UN declares 2 October, Gandhi's birthday, as International Day of Non-Violence|publisher=United Nations|date=15 June 2007|access-date=9 October 2014|archive-date=23 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123011319/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=22926&Cr=non&Cr1=violence|url-status=live}}

scope="row" |Oath of allegiance

|| National Pledge{{cite web|url=https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/event-detail.htm?68695|title=Indian Pledge by Staff Members|date=3 August 2022|access-date=1 June 2024|publisher=Ministry of Education, Government of India|archive-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814211725/https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/event-detail.htm?68695|url-status=live}} || File:National Pledge of India.png || 26 January 1965{{cite news|url=https://htschool.hindustantimes.com/editorsdesk/knowledge-vine/do-you-know-we-have-a-national-pledge|title=Do you know we have a National Pledge?|date=20 February 2022|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=Hindustan Times|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174612/https://htschool.hindustantimes.com/editorsdesk/knowledge-vine/do-you-know-we-have-a-national-pledge|url-status=live}} || It was written in Telugu by Pydimarri Venkata Subba Rao in 1962.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/visakhapatnam-remembers-pledge-composer/articleshow/16390278.cms|title=Visakhapatnam remembers 'pledge' composer|newspaper=Times of India|date=14 September 2012|access-date=7 August 2021|archive-date=7 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807092828/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/visakhapatnam-remembers-pledge-composer/articleshow/16390278.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=The 'Pledge', now 50, is the pride of Telugus!|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3896153.ece?homepage=true|newspaper=The Hindu|date=14 September 2012|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129075226/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3896153.ece?homepage=true|url-status=live}} The English version of the same was adopted as the national pledge.{{cite report|url=https://www.rsdebate.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/534475/2/IQ_50_04121964_S375_p2427_p2429.pdf|title=Rajya Sabha debate|date=4 December 1964|access-date=1 June 2024|publisher=Parliament of India|archive-date=14 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110619/https://www.rsdebate.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/534475/2/IQ_50_04121964_S375_p2427_p2429.pdf|url-status=live}} The central advisory board on education directed that the pledge to be sung in schools from 26 January 1965.{{cite book|last1=Biswas|first1=Arabinda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vKsVPua_E6sC&pg=PA140|title=Development of education in India: a historical survey of educational documents before and after independence|last2=Agrawal|first2=S. P.|date=1 January 1986|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-8-17022-066-4|page=140|access-date=27 January 2012}}

scope="row" |National currency

|| Indian Rupee{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/currency-symbol.php|title=Currency symbol|access-date=3 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027184739/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/currency-symbol.php|url-status=live}} || File:Indian Rupee symbol.svg || 15 August 1947

15 July 2010 (symbol) || Indian rupee (ISO code: INR) is the official currency of India, the issuance of which is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbi.org.in/commonperson/English/Scripts/FAQs.aspx?Id=3158|title=Basics of Indian Currency/Currency Management|publisher=Reserve Bank of India|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=15 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215134237/https://www.rbi.org.in/commonperson/English/Scripts/FAQs.aspx?Id=3158|url-status=live}} Rupee is derived from rupya or rūpiya, which was used to denote various coins in usage since 4th century BCE.{{cite journal|first=Shankar|last=Goyal|title=The Origin and Antiquity of Coinage in India|journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute|publisher=Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute|volume=80|number=1/4|year=1999|jstor=41694581|page=144|quote=Panini makes the statement (V.2.120) that a 'form' (rüpa) when 'stamped' (ahata) or when praise-worthy (prašamsa) takes the ending ya (i.e. rupya).}} The Indian rupee symbol, adopted in July 2010, is a combination of Devanagari "Ra" and the Roman letter "R" with two parallel horizontal lines at the top which represent the national flag and indicate equality.

scope="row" |National calendar

|| Indian National Calendar{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-calendar.php|title=National Calendar|access-date=3 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029094406/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-calendar.php|url-status=live}} || File:Indian national calendar.jpg || 22 March 1957 || The Indian national calendar, based on the Shaka era Hindu calendar was adopted on 22 March 1957. The calendar has 365 days across 12 months.{{cite report|title=Report of the Calendar Reform Committee|url=https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/handle/10973/39692|year=1955|pages=255–256|publisher=Council of Scientific and Industrial Research|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807073031/https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/handle/10973/39692|url-status=live}} It is used, alongside the Gregorian calendar, by The Gazette of India, in news broadcasts by All India Radio and in calendars and communications issued by the Government of India.

scope="row" |National animal

|| Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) || File:Adult male Royal Bengal tiger.jpg || April 1973{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/tiger-grabbed-lions-national-animal-status/articleshow/56633322.cms|title=Tiger grabbed lion's national animal status|newspaper=The Times of India|date=18 January 2017|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=29 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529125906/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/tiger-grabbed-lions-national-animal-status/articleshow/56633322.cms|url-status=live}} || The Bengal tiger was chosen as the national animal in a meeting of the Indian wildlife board in 1972 and was adopted officially in April 1973. It was chosen over the Asiatic lion due to the wider presence of the tiger across India.{{cite news|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/royal-bengal-tiger-the-national-animal-of-india-1457002074-1|title=Royal Bengal Tiger: The National Animal of India|date=18 November 2019|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Jagranjosh|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226093611/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/royal-bengal-tiger-the-national-animal-of-india-1457002074-1|url-status=live}} Tiger is one of the big cats with prominent black stripes on a yellow coat and represents grace, strength, agility and power.{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-animal.php|title=National Animal|access-date=3 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029082319/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-animal.php|url-status=live}} As of 2023, India is home to almost 75% of the world's wild tiger population.{{cite report|author1=Qureshi, Q.|author2=Jhala, Y. V.|author3=Yadav, S. P.|author4=Mallick, A.|name-list-style=amp|year=2023|title=Status of tigers, co-predators and prey in India 2022|publisher=National Tiger Conservation Authority & Wildlife Institute of India|location=New Delhi, Dehradun|url=https://wii.gov.in/images//images/documents/publications/statu_tiger_copredators-2022.pdf|access-date=15 April 2024|archive-date=5 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505145403/https://wii.gov.in/images//images/documents/publications/statu_tiger_copredators-2022.pdf|url-status=live}}

scope="row" |National bird

|| Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) || File:Blue Peacock Safari Park.jpg || 1 February 1963{{cite web|url=https://www.news9live.com/knowledge/do-you-know-why-peacock-is-considered-the-national-bird-of-india-2248865|title=Why peacock is considered the national bird|date=14 August 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|publisher=News9|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713174612/https://www.news9live.com/knowledge/do-you-know-why-peacock-is-considered-the-national-bird-of-india-2248865|url-status=live}} || Indian peacock was designated as the national bird of India in February 1963.{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-bird.php|title=National Bird|access-date=3 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029051307/https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-bird.php|url-status=live}} A bird indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, the peacock is a colourful bird, with males being larger than females and consisting of blue neck and a spectacular long train made up of elongated upper-tail covert feathers with colourful eyespots, which it raises into an arched fan during courtship.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/popularhandbooko033226mbp#page/n458/mode/1up/

|author=Hugh Whistler|year=1949|title=Popular handbook of Indian birds|pages=401–410|edition=4th|publisher=Gurney and Jackson|isbn=978-1-4067-4576-4}}{{cite book|pages=681–70|url= https://archive.org/stream/birdsindia04oaterich#page/68/mode/1up|title= The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Birds|volume=4|year=1898|author=WT Blanford|publisher=Taylor and Francis}}

scope="row" |National heritage animal

|| Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus){{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/significant-symbols/article2336245.ece|title=Significant symbols|date=8 August 2011|access-date=1 December 2023|work=The Hindu|archive-date=25 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125120559/https://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/significant-symbols/article2336245.ece|url-status=live}} || File:Elephas maximus (Bandipur).jpg || 22 October 2010{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/elephant-declared-national-heritage-animal/story-aSazcUQPTq24eqGEpe4OCO.html|title=Elephant declared national heritage animal|date=10 October 2010|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=Hindustan Times|archive-date=6 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606215038/https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/elephant-declared-national-heritage-animal/story-aSazcUQPTq24eqGEpe4OCO.html|url-status=live}} || Indian elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal in India and a cultural symbol throughout its range, appearing in various religious traditions and mythologies.{{cite book|title= India – Mahabharata. Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminar Abroad 1994 (India)|first1=Carole|last1=DeVito|first2=Pasquale|last2=DeVito|publisher=United States Educational Foundation in India|year=1994|page=4}}{{cite book|last=Martin-Dubost|first=Paul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H5DjAAAAMAAJ|title=Gaṇeśa, the Enchanter of the Three Worlds|date=1997|publisher=Franco-Indian Research|isbn=978-8-19001-843-2|pages=412–416}} It is native to mainland Asia with nearly three-fourth of the population found in India.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/indian-elephant|title=Indian elephant|publisher=WWF|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=19 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119202830/https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/indian-elephant|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/india-has-27312-elephants-census-shows/article19504528.ece|title=India has 27,312 elephants, census shows|newspaper=The Hindu|date=16 August 2017|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=3 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203094419/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/india-has-27312-elephants-census-shows/article19504528.ece|url-status=live}} It was declared as the national heritage animal of India on 22 October 2010.{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=65467|title=MOEF to Declare Elephant as National Heritage Animal|date=31 August 2010|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=29 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529163132/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=65467|url-status=live}}

scope="row" |National tree

|| Indian Banyan (Ficus benghalensis){{cite report|url=https://greentribunal.gov.in/gen_pdf_test.php?filepath=L25ndF9kb2N1bWVudHMvbmd0L2Nhc2Vkb2MvanVkZ2VtZW50cy9DSEVOTkFJLzIwMjMtMTEtMDYvMTY5OTI2OTM2NTEzNTgyNDM2NDA2NTQ4Y2FmNTU1ZjY5LnBkZg==|title=Judgement of National Green Tribunal South Zone|publisher=National Green Tribunal|date=6 November 2023|page=2|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225173503/https://greentribunal.gov.in/gen_pdf_test.php?filepath=L25ndF9kb2N1bWVudHMvbmd0L2Nhc2Vkb2MvanVkZ2VtZW50cy9DSEVOTkFJLzIwMjMtMTEtMDYvMTY5OTI2OTM2NTEzNTgyNDM2NDA2NTQ4Y2FmNTU1ZjY5LnBkZg==|url-status=live}} || File:The great banyan tree.jpg || 1950{{cite web|url=https://www.adda247.com/school/national-tree-of-india-banyan/|title=National Tree of India|publisher=Adda247|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002122437/https://www.adda247.com/school/national-tree-of-india-banyan/|url-status=live}} || Indian banyan is a large tree native to the Indian subcontinent and produces aerial roots from the branches which grow downwards, eventually becoming trunks.{{cite web|title=Ficus benghalensis|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:852482-1/general-information|access-date=19 June 2022|publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens|archive-date=23 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123043324/https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:852482-1/general-information|url-status=live}} Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India.{{cite web|title=National Tree|url=http://knowindia.gov.in/knowindia/national_symbols.php?id=5|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122081829/http://www.knowindia.gov.in/knowindia/national_symbols.php?id=5|archive-date=22 January 2013|access-date=3 April 2012|publisher=Government of India}} The tree's structure and deep roots symbolise unity and as the tree gives shelter to various organisms , it denotes India and its people from different backgrounds.

scope="row" |National fruit

|| Mango (Mangifera indica){{cite web|url=https://www.utsav.gov.in/view-event/national-mango-festival|title=National Mango Festival|publisher=Ministry of Tourism, Government of India|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=14 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110732/https://www.utsav.gov.in/view-event/national-mango-festival|url-status=live}} || File:Hapus Mango.jpg || 1950{{cite web|url=https://www.culturalindia.net/national-symbols/national-fruit.html|title=National fruit|publisher=Cultural India|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=15 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615122907/https://www.culturalindia.net/national-symbols/national-fruit.html|url-status=live}} || Mango is a large fruit tree with many varieties, believed to have originated in northeast India.{{cite web|author1=Morton|first=Julia F.|date=1987|title=Mango (Mangifera indica L.)|url=https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mango_ars.html|access-date=24 December 2021|publisher=In: Fruits of Warm Climates; New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University|pages=221–239|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222014215/https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mango_ars.html|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|last1=Kuhn|first1=David N.|last2=Bally|first2=Ian S. E.|last3=Dillon|first3=Natalie L.|last4=Innes|first4=David|last5=Groh|first5=Amy M.|last6=Rahaman|first6=Jordon|last7=Ophir|first7=Ron|last8=Cohen|first8=Yuval|last9=Sherman|first9=Amir|date=20 April 2017|title=Genetic Map of Mango: A Tool for Mango Breeding|journal=Frontiers in Plant Science|volume=8|pages=577|doi=10.3389/fpls.2017.00577|pmc=5397511|pmid=28473837|doi-access=free}}{{cite journal|last1=Warschefsky|first1=Emily J.|last2=Wettberg|first2=Eric J. B.|date=June 2019|title=Population genomic analysis of mango (Mangifera indica) suggests a complex history of domestication|journal=New Phytologist|volume=222|issue=4|pages=2023–2037|doi=10.1111/nph.15731|pmid=30730057|doi-access=free}} It has been cultivated in India since ancient times and is known for its deliciousness. It is considered an economically important fruit in India and the country is the largest producer of mangoes worldwide.{{cite web|title=FAO statistics|url=https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize|work=FAO|access-date=24 March 2024|archive-date=12 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112130804/https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize|url-status=live}}

scope="row" |National aquatic animal

|| Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica){{cite press release|url=https://www.nmcg.nic.in/writereaddata/fileupload/1_Dolphins_press_n.pdf|title=Dolphin Declared National Aquatic Animal|date=18 May 2010|access-date=1 June 2024|publisher=Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India|archive-date=1 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601172732/https://www.nmcg.nic.in/writereaddata/fileupload/1_Dolphins_press_n.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Dolphin becomes India's national aquatic animal|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/india/Dolphin-becomes-India-s-national-aquatic-animal/Article1-461628.aspx|newspaper=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008010352/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/india/Dolphin-becomes-India-s-national-aquatic-animal/Article1-461628.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2009}} || File:Ganges River Dolphin cropped.jpg || 18 May 2010{{cite report|url=https://www.nmcg.nic.in/writereaddata/fileupload/1_Dolphins_press_n.pdf|title=Dolphin Declared National Aquatic Animal|access-date=3 April 2024|publisher=Government of India|archive-date=1 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601172732/https://www.nmcg.nic.in/writereaddata/fileupload/1_Dolphins_press_n.pdf|url-status=live}} || The Ganges river dolphin is an endangered freshwater or river dolphin endemic to the Indian subcontinent and is found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers in India. It was announced as the national aquatic animal in May 2010 to raise awareness towards its conservation.

scope="row" |National reptile

| |King cobra (Ophiophagus hanna) || File:12 - The Mystical King Cobra and Coffee Forests.jpg

|| || King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake and endemic to Asia.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4VmLdh87uhUC|title=King Cobra: The World's Longest Venomous Snake|author=Leon Gray|year=2013|isbn=978-1-61772-732-0|publisher=Bearport Publishing|page=1|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175114/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/King_Cobra/4VmLdh87uhUC|url-status=live}} The species has diversified coloration and possess a unique threat display, spreading its neck-flap and raising its head upright and hissing.{{cite book|last1=Lillywhite|first1=Harvey B.|year=2014|title=How Snakes Work: Structure, Function and Behavior of the World's Snakes|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=241|isbn=978-0-19-538037-8}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KF9CvJDilDMC|page=6|title=King Cobras|author=James E. Gerholdt|year=1996|isbn=978-1-56239-516-2|publisher=Abdo & Daughters|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175117/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/King_Cobras/KF9CvJDilDMC|url-status=live}} The snake occupies an eminent position in the mythology and folklore of India.{{cite book|author=S.A. Minton Jr.|author2=M.R. Minton|year=1980|title=Venomous reptiles|url=https://archive.org/details/venomousreptiles0000mint|url-access=registration|publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons|isbn=978-0-684-16626-1}}{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/visualstories/webstories/ancient-snakes-of-india-130305-20-04-2024|title=Ancient snakes of India|date=20 April 2024|access-date=1 June 2024|publisher=India Today|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175115/https://www.indiatodayne.in/visualstories/webstories/ancient-snakes-of-india-130305-20-04-2024|url-status=live}}

scope="row" |National river

|| Ganges River{{cite press release|url=https://archivepmo.nic.in/drmanmohansingh/press-details.php?nodeid=830|title=Ganga to be declared a "National River"|publisher=Prime Minister's Office, Government of India|date=4 November 2008|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=14 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110717/https://archivepmo.nic.in/drmanmohansingh/press-details.php?nodeid=830|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nmcg.nic.in/ganga_basin.aspx|title=National Mission for Clean Ganga|publisher=|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=29 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529104027/https://nmcg.nic.in/ganga_basin.aspx|url-status=live}} || File:Dashawamedha Ghat in Varanasi 1.jpg || 4 November 2008{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/first-anniversary-of-ganga-being-declared-as-national-river-of-india/articleshow/5196763.cms|title=First anniversary of Ganga being declared as National River of India|date=4 November 2009|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=The Times of India|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326110346/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/first-anniversary-of-ganga-being-declared-as-national-river-of-india/articleshow/5196763.cms|url-status=live}} || The Ganges rises in the western Himalayas and flows south and east through the Gangetic plain of North India.{{cite book|last=Swain|first=Ashok|title=Managing Water Conflict: Asia, Africa, and the Middle East|publisher=Routledge|page=54|year=2004|isbn=978-1-135-76883-6}} It has been important historically with many cities located on its banks and is a lifeline to millions of people who live along its course.{{cite book|last=Rice|first=Earle|title=The Ganges River|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdeXBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA25|year=2012|publisher=Mitchell Lane Publishers|isbn=978-1-61228-368-5|page=25|access-date=22 March 2017|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328172550/https://books.google.com/books?id=vdeXBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA25#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}} It is considered as a sacred river and worshipped as a goddess in Hinduism.{{cite book|last=Alter|first=Stephen|title=Sacred Waters: A Pilgrimage Up the Ganges River to the Source of Hindu Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qb9yQgAACAAJ|access-date=30 July 2013|year=2001|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade & Reference Publishers|isbn=978-0-15-100585-7|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324113652/https://books.google.com/books?id=qb9yQgAACAAJ|url-status=live}}{{cite book|last1=Bhattacharji|first1=Sukumari|last2=Bandyopadhyay|first2=Ramananda|title=Legends of Devi|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B0j0hRgWsg8C&pg=PA54|access-date=27 April 2011|year=1995|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=978-81-250-0781-4|page=54|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328172609/https://books.google.com/books?id=B0j0hRgWsg8C&pg=PA54#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}} In November 2008, Ganges was declared as a national river due to its close association with the lives of millions of Indians.

scope="row" |National microbe

|| Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus{{cite web|title=Education for Biodiversity Conservation|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=88487|publisher=Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129082057/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=88487|url-status=live}} ||File:20101210 014809 LactobacillusBulgaricus.jpg || 18 October 2012 || Lactobacillus bulgaricus is a gram-positive bacterium used for the production of yogurt and plays a crucial role in natural processes involving fermented products.{{cite journal|last1=Stachelska|first1=Milena Alicja|last2=Foligni|first2=Roberta|date=2018|title=Development of a time-effective and highly specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the identification of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in artisanal raw cow's milk cheese|journal=Acta Veterinaria Brno|volume=87|issue=3|pages=301–308|doi=10.2754/avb201887030301|issn=0001-7213|doi-access=free}} It is also considered a probiotic.{{cite journal|last1=School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi?an, China|last2=Shaanxi Heshi Dairy, China|last3=Chen|first3=He|last4=Huang|first4=Jie|last5=Shi|first5=Xiaoyu|last6=Li|first6=Yichao|last7=Liu|first7=Yu|date=30 December 2017|title=Effects of six substances on the growth and freeze-drying of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus [pdf]|journal=Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Technologia Alimentaria|volume=16|issue=4|pages=403–412|doi=10.17306/J.AFS.2017.0512|doi-access=free|pmid=29241319 }} It was declared as the national microbe in 18 October 2012 and was selected by children through voting.

scope="row" |National flower

|| Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera){{cite web|url=https://sulabhenvis.nic.in/KidsCentre/NationalSymbols_226.aspx|title=National symbols of India|publisher=ENVIS, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=2 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202212000/http://www.sulabhenvis.nic.in/KidsCentre/NationalSymbols_226.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://knowindia.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-flower.php|title=National flower|url-status=dead|publisher=Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328194051/https://knowindia.gov.in/national-identity-elements/national-flower.php|archive-date=28 March 2020}} || File:Nelumno nucifera open flower - botanic garden adelaide2.jpg ||1950{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/lotus-flower-is-associated-with-india-s-cultural-identity-rajnath-singh-in-haryana-1162058.html|title=Lotus flower is associated with India's cultural identity|date=13 November 2022|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=Deccan Herald|archive-date=18 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418141645/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/lotus-flower-is-associated-with-india-s-cultural-identity-rajnath-singh-in-haryana-1162058.html|url-status=live}} ||Lotus is an aquatic plant adapted to grow in the flood plains. Lotus seeds can remain dormant and viable for many years, therefore the plant is regarded as a symbol of longevity.{{cite web|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/sacred-lotus-may-hold-secret-of-longevity-41162|title=Sacred lotus may hold secret of longevity|date=24 May 2013 |publisher=Down to Earth|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175114/https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/sacred-lotus-may-hold-secret-of-longevity-41162|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|doi=10.3732/ajb.89.2.236|title=Long-living lotus: Germination and soil -irradiation of centuries-old fruits, and cultivation, growth, and phenotypic abnormalities of offspring|year=2002|last1=Shen-Miller|first1=J.|last2=Schopf|first2=J. W.|last3=Harbottle|first3=G.|last4=Cao|first4=R.-j.|last5=Ouyang|first5=S.|last6=Zhou|first6=K.-s.|last7=Southon|first7=J. R.|last8=Liu|first8=G.-h.|journal=American Journal of Botany|volume=89|issue=2|pages=236–47|pmid=21669732}} It occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yc64EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA552|page=552|title=A New Look at Modern Indian History : From 1707 to The Modern Times|isbn=978-9-35501-683-6|publisher=S. Chand Publishing|access-date=13 July 2024|archive-date=13 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713175113/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_New_Look_at_Modern_Indian_History_From/Yc64EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA552|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Sacred Lotus|url=https://www.britannica.com/plant/sacred-lotus|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=4 May 2023|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307231351/https://www.britannica.com/plant/sacred-lotus|url-status=live}}

While the flower was stated to be declared as the national flower of India in 1950, the government has declared that no national flower exists despite contrary claims made by government officials and ministers.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/there-is-no-national-flower-for-india-minister-tells-in-rajya-sabha/article28350530.ece|title=There is no 'national flower' for India, Minister tells in Rajya Sabha|date=10 July 2019|access-date=1 June 2024|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109080222/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/there-is-no-national-flower-for-india-minister-tells-in-rajya-sabha/article28350530.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/mea-controversy-is-lotus-the-national-flower-785502.html|title=MEA controversy: Is lotus the national flower?|date=14 December 2019|access-date=1 June 2024|newspaper=Deccan Herald|archive-date=14 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714110722/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/mea-controversy-is-lotus-the-national-flower-785502.html|url-status=live}}

scope="row" |National game

|| Field hockey || File:Dhyan Chand 1936 final.jpg || || Field hockey is a team sport in which India has won the gold at the Summer Olympics eight times, the most by any nation.{{cite web|url=https://khelnow.com/olympic-sports/top-five-records-of-indian-mens-hockey-team|title=Indian field hockey records|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=14 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814144944/https://khelnow.com/olympic-sports/top-five-records-of-indian-mens-hockey-team|url-status=live}} As per a 2012 reply from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to a RTI query, there was no declared national game in India.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/hockey-is-not-our-national-game-ministry/articleshow/15322482.cms|title=Hockey is not our national game: Ministry|date=2 August 2012|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=The Times of India|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224224838/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/Hockey-is-not-our-national-game-Ministry/articleshow/15322482.cms|url-status=live}} But Field hockey continues to be listed as the national game in Indian Government websites and text books.{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/govt-to-review-its-portal-article-on-hockey-as-national-game-112080500165_1.html|title=Govt to review its portal article on hockey as national game|newspaper=Business Standard|date=23 January 2012|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=23 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223151700/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/govt-to-review-its-portal-article-on-hockey-as-national-game-112080500165_1.html|url-status=live}}

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20121214200656/http://knowindia.gov.in/knowindia/national_symbols.php National Symbols]. Know India Programme.
[http://india.gov.in/india-glance/national-symbols National Symbols]. Govt. of India Official website.

Category:National symbols of India

national symbols of India

List of national and official symbols

See also

References

External links