National symbols of India

The Republic of India has several official national symbols including a historic document, a flag, an emblem, an anthem, a memorial tower as well as several national heroes. All the symbols were picked up at various times. The design of the national flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly just before independence, on 22 July 1947. There are also several other symbols including the national animal, bird, flower, fruit and tree.

National symbols

Title	Symbol	Image	Notes
National flag	Flag of India		A horizontal rectangular tricolour with equally sized deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and India green at the bottom. In the center is a navy blue wheel with twenty-four spokes, known as the Ashoka Chakra. The flag is based on the Swaraj flag designed by Pingali Venkayya.
National emblem	National Emblem of India		An adaptation of Lion Capital of Asoka at Sarnath was adopted as the National Emblem of India on 26 January 1950, the day India became a republic. Forming an integral part of the emblem is the motto inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script: "Satyameva jayate" (English: Truth Alone Triumphs), a quote taken from Mundaka Upanishad, the concluding part of the sacred Hindu Vedas.
National calendar	Saka calendar		Saka calendar was introduced by the Calendar Committee in 1957, as part of the Indian Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac, which also contained other astronomical data, as well as timings and formula for preparing Hindu religious calendars. Usage officially started at 1 Chaitra 1879 Saka Era, or 22 March 1957.
National anthem	Jana Gana Mana		Jana Gana Mana by Rabindranath Tagore was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Indian national anthem on 24 January 1950.
National song	Vande Mataram		The first two verses of Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was adopted as the National song of India in 1950. "Vande Mataram" was sung during the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress by Rabindranath Tagore.
Oath of allegiance	National Pledge		It was written in Telugu by Pydimarri Venkata Subba Rao in 1962. Central Advisory Board on Education directed that the pledge to be sung in Schools and that this practice to be introduced by 26 January 1965.
National flower	Indian lotus		Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture.
National fruit	Mango		Mango (Mangifera indica) originated in India and the country is home to more than 100 varieties of the fruit.
National river	Ganga	200px	Ganga is the longest river of India with the most heavily populated river basin in the world. The river is revered by Hindus as the most sacred river on earth.
National tree	Indian banyan		Indian banyan (Ficus bengalensis) root themselves to form new trees and grow over large areas. Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India.
National animal	Royal Bengal tiger		Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), the largest carnivore is found only in the Indian subcontinent and can be found in most regions of the country.
National aquatic animal	River dolphin		Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is said to represent the purity of the holy Ganga River as it can only survive in pure and fresh water.
National bird	Indian peacock		Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus) is designated as the national bird of India. A bird indigenous to the subcontinent, peacock represents the unity of vivid colours and finds references in Indian culture.
National currency	Indian Rupee		Indian Rupee (ISO code: INR) is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India. The Indian rupee symbol is derived from the Devanagari consonant "र" (ra) and the Latin letter "R" was adopted in 2010.
National Heritage Mammal	Indian Elephant	File:Indian Elephant .jpg An Indian Elephant with Calf	Indian Elephant (Elephas Maximus Indicus) is one of the three subspecies of Asian Elephant and is native to mainland Asia.
National Heritage Animal	Hanuman Langur	A Hanuman Langur	Hanuman Langur is the most widespread langur of South Asia and bulk of this subspecies lives in India.
National Reptile	King Cobra	File:Ophiophagus hannah (2).jpg A King Cobra	King Cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake and is associated with Hindu Gods.

External links

• knowindia.gov.in - National Symbols
• National Symbols Govt. of India Official website.