Independence Day 2026: Dos And Don'ts For Hoisting The National Flag

Every year on August 15, India celebrates Independence Day by remembering the sacrifices of freedom fighters who fought for the nation's liberty. The Tricolour is hoisted across the country, from homes to commercial locations, and the national anthem is sung with pride. August 15, 1947, marked the end of nearly 200 years of British rule as India began its journey as a democratic, sovereign nation. Since then, the day has been commemorated with flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes and tributes to those who gave their lives fighting against colonial rule.

According to traditional protocol, the national flag should be hoisted at sunrise and lowered at sunset. However, following the 2022 amendment to the Flag Code of India, the flag can now be flown at night if it is adequately illuminated. On Independence Day, the flag is specifically hoisted from the bottom of the flagpole to the top, symbolising India's triumph over colonial rule in 1947.

Rules For Hoisting The Indian National Flag On August 15

Dos for Hoisting the Tricolour

• The flag should always be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly with dignity. The saffron band must be at the top when hoisted vertically.
• Display the flag in a position of prominence, ensuring it is not overshadowed by other flags or objects.
• When displayed horizontally, the saffron band should be at the top. When displayed vertically, the saffron band should be on the left side as viewed by the audience.
• Ensure the flag is clean, undamaged, and free from tears or discolouration.
• The flag can be made of hand-spun, hand-woven, or machine-made cotton, polyester, wool, or silk khadi bunting, as per the Flag Code.
• The flag can be flown on all days, including Sundays and holidays, by individuals, private organisations, and educational institutions, as per the amended Flag Code of 2002.
• The flag may be flown at night only if it is well-lit and prominently displayed.
• The flag's proportions (length to width ratio of 3:2) must be maintained, regardless of size.
• During ceremonies, the flag may be used to cover a statue or monument being unveiled, but should not touch the ground or floor.
• A damaged or soiled flag should be disposed of privately by burning or in a manner consistent with its dignity.

Don'ts for Hoisting the Tricolour

• The flag must not be used in a manner that insults its dignity, such as dipping it in salute to any person or thing.
• The flag must not be flown upside down (saffron band at the bottom) or in a manner that disrespects it.
• The flag must not touch the ground, floor, or water.
•  The flag must not be used for commercial purposes, such as on costumes, cushions, napkins, or other items, except as permitted (e.g., paper flags during national events).
• The flag should not be used as a covering for a building, vehicle, or platform, nor as a drapery, except in state or military funerals.
• The flag must not be flown below or alongside another flag in a way that diminishes its prominence.
• The flag must not have any writing, printing, or defacement on it.
• The flag or its design must not be used as clothing, uniforms, or accessories below the waist, though flag pins or emblems may be worn respectfully.
• The flag must not be intentionally torn, burned, or mutilated in public, as this is an offence under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
• The flag should not be stored in a way that could soil or damage it.

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Ashwin Names India Player Who 'Can Be King Of Sub-Continent'. Not Gill

Suddenly, Sarfaraz Khan is back in the conversation. After spending most of the last two years outside the national team, Sarfaraz Khan received a call-up for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after Sai Sudharsan failed to regain fitness in time. Sarfaraz last played for India against New Zealand in November 2024, a series that saw India suffer their first home series loss in 12 years. The defeat was also India's first-ever whitewash at home. He had made his Test debut earlier that year against England at home.

Sarfaraz was also named in India's squad for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of Australia but did not get a game. In six Tests and 11 innings for India, he has scored 371 runs at an average of 37.10, including a century and three fifties, with a best score of 150.

There is buzz around whether Sarfaraz should be preferred over Dhruv Jurel in a middle-order role. India great Ravichandran Ashwin says the Indian team management, led by captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, should communicate properly with Sarfaraz.

"I'll start with Jurel. Sarfaraz came into the squad because of Sai Sudharsan's injury. The messaging is very important for Sarfaraz. If you feel he is a suspect in certain conditions, you need to give him clarity. You need to tell him that he can serve the team in sub-continental conditions," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat.

"So that way, even Sarfaraz won't waste his time on the rest of the things. He can focus on playing good spin, and he can become the king of the sub-continental conditions. He can build his career. If you feel he cannot work in certain conditions, then communicate that to him."

Meanwhile, former India batter WV Raman said he would prefer Sarfaraz Khan over Dhruv Jurel in the side's playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka, starting in Galle on Saturday, citing the visitors' need for a frontline batter in the middle order who can attack the hosts' spin bowling line-up.

India must fill two vacant batting slots from a pool of three players: Devdutt Padikkal, Jurel, and Sarfaraz, as they open their series against Sri Lanka. With Padikkal expected to seal the No. 3 spot in B Sai Sudharsan's absence, the remaining contest is between Jurel and Sarfaraz.

"I would tend to think that in a Test match, you will have to go for the specialist. Dhruv Jurel has done well as a wicketkeeper-batter. He gets some runs. But this man has also done well, the young boy Sarfaraz Khan. So, I think if you have picked him in the side as a specialist batter for Test cricket, I would rather go with him.

"But he is also a very good player of spin. He can be an attacking option. The other thing that he will bring to the table is that he is also a good close-in catcher, and that is perhaps something that you would need, especially if Sri Lanka dishes out a turning track," Raman told IANS in an exclusive conversation facilitated by Sony Sports Network on Thursday.

Both Jurel and Sarfaraz made their Test debuts against England in Rajkot in February 2024, and their journeys have been very different since. Jurel has been a regular in the set-up as a wicketkeeping backup to Rishabh Pant while also playing as a specialist batter on occasion.

A much fitter Sarfaraz, meanwhile, was called up as a replacement for the injured Sudharsan, thus marking his return to the side after being unused during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.

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Moises Henriques, who played four Tests, 16 ODIs and 24 T20Is for Australia, will lead Portugal as they attempt to qualify for the T20 World Cup for the first time. According to ESPNcricinfo, the 39-year-old has been named Portugal's captain for the Men's T20 World Cup Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Finland, where the team will attempt to progress through the qualification pathway for the global tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Moises Henriques, who was born in Madeira, Portugal, which is also the birthplace of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, last played for Australia in 2021.

He moved to Australia with his family as a child and went on to enjoy a lengthy domestic career with New South Wales and the Sydney Sixers. He announced his retirement from Australian domestic cricket last month but intends to continue playing overseas.

Henriques currently has a contract with Glasgow Cosmic in the inaugural European T20 Premier League and will now turn his attention to Portugal's qualification campaign.

Portugal, ranked 37th in the ICC Men's T20I rankings, will face Israel, Germany, Greece and Czechia in Group B of the Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier C between August 14 and 20.

The group winner will meet the winner of Group A in the final on August 21. The overall winner will then advance to the European regional final, where Scotland, Jersey and Denmark await.

The top two teams from the European regional final will progress to the global qualifier, from where teams will compete for places at the 2028 T20 World Cup.

Henriques takes over the captaincy from Carlos Nunes, who remains part of Portugal's 14-member squad.

Portugal have also included several players with experience in higher-level domestic cricket. Former Sussex, Auckland and Wellington wicketkeeper-batter Craig Cachopa is part of the squad, while Cameron Shekleton has represented South Africa A.

Sebastian de Oliveira, who played a List A match for Gauteng alongside current South Africa batter Ryan Rickelton, and Bangladesh-born spinner Siraj Ullah Khadem, who featured on the longlist for this year's Hundred auction, are also in the squad.

Portugal squad: Moises Henriques (captain), Craig Cachopa, Edward Fleming, Christopher de Freitas, Rahulkumar Hashu, Siraj Ullah Khadem, Hardeep Khuttan, Jeremy Martins, Dhavalkumar Norotam (wk), Jordan Netto, Carlos Nunes, Sebastian de Oliveira, Upen Shantu, Cameron Shekleton.

Portugal fixtures: vs Israel (August 14), vs Germany (August 15), vs Greece (August 17), vs Czechia (August 20), Final (August 21)

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