In this article 14 1. National Emblem – Lion Capital of Ashoka 2. National Flag – Tricolor (Tiranga) 3. National Anthem – Jana Gana Mana 4. National Song – Vande Mataram 5. National Calendar – Saka Samvat 6. National Animal – Tiger 7. National Bird – Peacock 8. National Flower – Lotus 9. National Fruit – Mango 10. National Tree – Banyan 11. National River – Ganga 12. National Aquatic Animal – Gangetic Dolphin 13. National Heritage Animal – Asian Elephant 🧠 High-Probability Exam Pointers (Bonus Block) 1. National Emblem – Lion Capital of Ashoka Adopted: 26 January 1950 Origin: Replica of the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath Motto: Satyameva Jayate (“Truth Alone Triumphs”) – from Mundaka Upanishad Design: Four Asiatic lions standing back to back, mounted on a circular base with a horse, bull, elephant, and lion separated by a Dharma Chakra Official Usage: Government documents and official letterheads Currency notes and coins Seals of government offices Importance: Symbolizes power, courage, pride, and confidence 2. National Flag – Tricolor (Tiranga) Adopted: 22 July 1947 Design: Horizontal tricolor of saffron (top), white (middle), green (bottom) with Ashoka Chakra (navy blue, 24 spokes) in the center Designer: Pingali Venkayya Proportion: 3:2 Official Usage: Hoisted on Republic Day and Independence Day Used by government offices, schools, and ceremonies Importance: Represents courage (saffron), peace and truth (white), and fertility and growth (green) Trivia: The Ashoka Chakra represents the eternal wheel of law 3. National Anthem – Jana Gana Mana Adopted: 24 January 1950 Writer: Rabindranath Tagore First Sung: 1911, Kolkata session of the Indian National Congress Duration: ~52 seconds Official Usage: Begins sessions of Parliament and official ceremonies Played in schools and government functions Importance: Symbol of national unity and pride 4. National Song – Vande Mataram Adopted: 26 January 1950 Writer: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (Anandamath) First Sung: 1896, Kolkata Congress session Official Usage: Ends sessions of Parliament Used in cultural and patriotic functions Importance: Evokes love for motherland and freedom struggle sentiment 5. National Calendar – Saka Samvat Adopted: 22 March 1957 Starting Month: Chaitra Official Usage: Government documents, Gazette notifications Indian newspapers often show both Gregorian and Saka dates Importance: Provides uniform civil calendar for administration 6. National Animal – Tiger Declared: 1973 (Project Tiger) Scientific Name: Panthera tigris Official Usage: Wildlife conservation programs Symbol of strength and power in government insignia Importance: Represents courage, strength, and the wildlife heritage of India 7. National Bird – Peacock Declared: 1963 Scientific Name: Pavo cristatus Official Usage: Featured in official stamps and currency notes Importance: Symbol of grace, beauty, and cultural heritage 8. National Flower – Lotus Declared: 1950 Scientific Name: Nelumbo nucifera Official Usage: Emblem of Indian culture, art, and literature Used in official emblems and decorations Importance: Symbol of purity, spiritual enlightenment, and resilience 9. National Fruit – Mango Declared: Date not officially notified but widely recognized Scientific Name: Mangifera indica Official Usage: Featured in agricultural exhibitions Importance: Known as the “King of Fruits,” represents India’s agricultural richness 10. National Tree – Banyan Declared: Notified by the Government Scientific Name: Ficus benghalensis Official Usage: Conservation efforts and cultural symbolism Importance: Represents longevity, shelter, and Indian heritage 11. National River – Ganga Declared: 2008 Length: 2525 km Origin: Gangotri Glacier Falls Into: Bay of Bengal Official Usage: National water resource management Religious and cultural symbolism Importance: Sacred river, vital for ecology and human civilization 12. National Aquatic Animal – Gangetic Dolphin Declared: 5 October 2009 Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica Official Usage: Focus of aquatic conservation programs Importance: Indicator of freshwater ecosystem health 13. National Heritage Animal – Asian Elephant Declared: 1992 (Project Elephant) Scientific Name: Elephas maximus indicus Official Usage: Wildlife conservation and tourism Importance: Represents heritage, strength, and cultural tradition 🧠 High-Probability Exam Pointers (Bonus Block) The Currency Symbol (₹): Designed by Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam, officially adopted by the Government of India on July 15, 2010. It combines the Latin letter ‘R’ and Devanagari ‘र’. The Transition of the National Animal: Prior to April 1973, the Lion was the national animal of India. It was systematically changed to the Royal Bengal Tiger during the rollout of Project Tiger due to its presence across a vast majority of Indian states. The Supreme Court Flag Ruling: In 2004, the Supreme Court ruled under Article 19(1)(a) that hoisting the National Flag with dignity is a fundamental right of every citizen. Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook X Copy link Last updated: — Auto-scroll to newest Loading updates…