National symbols

A horizontal tricolour of saffron, white and India green in equal bands, with the navy-blue Ashoka Chakra of 24 spokes in the centre.

Adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, with the motto Satyameva Jayate (Truth alone triumphs).

Composed by Rabindranath Tagore and adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. The full version takes about 52 seconds.

Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Vande Mataram inspired generations of freedom fighters. It has equal status with Jana-gana-mana.

The Saka calendar, with Chaitra as its first month, was adopted on 22 March 1957 for official use alongside the Gregorian calendar.

The Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) symbolises strength and grace. Project Tiger, launched in 1973, made India home to most of the world's wild tigers.

The Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) was declared the national bird in 1963. It is fully protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) has a sacred place in Indian art and thought. It rises clean and beautiful from muddy water.

The banyan (Ficus benghalensis) sends down aerial roots that become new trunks, a symbol of long life and unity.

India grows hundreds of varieties of mango (Mangifera indica), from Alphonso and Kesar to Langra, Dasheri and Banganapalle.

The Ganga was declared the National River in 2008. It is about 2,525 km long and sustains hundreds of millions of people.

The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was declared the National Aquatic Animal on 5 October 2009. It is nearly blind and finds its way by echolocation.

The Indian elephant was declared the National Heritage Animal in 2010. It has been part of India's culture, temples and art for thousands of years.

The Indian Rupee symbol ₹, designed by D. Udaya Kumar, was adopted on 15 July 2010. It blends the Devanagari र and the Roman R.