National Symbols

India is a huge country. The republic of India has several national symbols which represents Indian diverse culture, uniqueness and national identity. National symbols infuse a sense of patriotism in citizens hearts.

India has several official national symbols including a historical document, a flag, an emblem, an anthem, a memorial tower as well as several national heroes.

The design of the national flag was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly just before independence, on 22 July in 1947.

Other symbols that were designated on various occasions include the national animal, bird, fruit and tree.

This section of static gk is very important part of competitive exams like IAS, SSC, RRB, CPO, KVS, NVS, RPSC, TNSC, MPPSC, UPSC, Railways, Banking and so many other states and central government job entrance exams.

Here we compiled list of all national symbols of India. You can download pdf file of this article.

List of all National Symbols of India

Importance of National Symbols of India

1. They infuse a deep sense of pride in the hearts of Indian citizens.
2. They exemplify the rich cultural fiber that resides at the core of the country.
3. They help to preserve the chosen national symbol for generations to come.
4. They represent a quality of uniqueness of India and rich diverse culture of India.

Detail information of Indian National Symbols

National Heritage Animal : Indian Elephant

The Indian Elephant has been declared as National Heritage animal of India,native to mainland Asia.

The Indian elephant has been listed as endangered and threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation.

National Tree : Banyan Tree

The national tree of India is the Banyan tree.

The tree is often symbol of the fabled ‘Kalpa Vriksha’ or the ‘Tree of Wish Fullfillment’ as it is associated with longevity and has important medicinal properties.

The very size and life span of the banyan tree makes it a habitat for a large number of creatures.

National River : Ganga

The Ganges or the Ganga is the national river of India.

It originates in the snow fields of the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas as the Bhagirathi River.

Ganga is the longest river in India covering 2,510 km of mountains, plains and valleys.

The major Indian cities through which it passes through are Varanasi, Allahabad and Haridwar.

National Reptile : King Cobra

King Cobra or Snake eater is the National Reptile of India and is found in the forests of India and Southeast Asia.

It is the world longest venomous snake which is capable of growing up to 19 ft and may live up to 25 years.

They have an ability to inject 6 ml of venom in a single bite.

National Flower : Lotus

The national flower of India is Lotus.

It is an aquatic herb that is often termed as ‘Padma’ in Sanskrit and enjoys a sacred status among the Indian culture.

The Lotus symbolizes spirituality, fruitfulness, wealth, knowledge, illumination, along with purity of heart and mind.

National Aquatic Animal : Dolphin

The Ganges river dolphin has been declared as National Aquatic Animal of India by the Indian government.

It is also the city animal of the Guwahati.

The South Asian river dolphin primarily found in the Ganges, Yamuna, Chambal river, Brahmaputra river and their tributaries.

National Fruit : Mango

Mango is also called King of Fruits is the National fruit of India.

Its sweet fragrance and delectable flavors have won the hearts of many around the world since time immemorial.

As the national fruit of India it represents prosperity, abundance and richness in favor of the country’s image.

National Bird : Peacock

The Indian peacock is the national bird of India.

A bird indigenous to the subcontinent, the peacock represents the unity of vivid colours and finds references in Indian culture.

The Government of India declared the Peacock as the national bird of India on February 1, 1963.

It is found in the drier lowland areas and a resident breeder across the Indian subcontinent.

National Currency : Indian Rupee (₹)

The Indian rupee (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.

It has been designed by Udaya Kumar Dharmalingam.

The INR depicts an equality sign that symbolizes the nation’s desire to reduce economic disparity.

National Animal : Bengal Tiger

Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India and ranks among the biggest cats in the world.

It was adopted as the national animal of India in April 1973 due to the dwindling population of the tigers.

Prior to the tiger the national animal of India was the Lion.

National Song : Vande Matram

The song of India is Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji.

The first political occasion when Vande Matram was sung was the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.

The song was a part of Bankimchandra’s most famous novel Anand Math (1882).

National Anthem : Jana Gana Mana

The National Anthem of India Jana-gana-mana, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on 24 January 1950.

It was first sung on 27 December 1911 at the then Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.

National Calendar : Saka Calendar

Saka Calendar was introduced by the Calendar Committee in 1957.

The usage of the Saka Calendar was officially started at 1 Chaitra 1879 Saka Era, or 22 March 1957.

National Emblem : State Emblem of India

The national emblem of India is adopted from Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.

Its motto is Satyameva Jayate.

It features four Asiatic lions standing back to back, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus.

The National Emblem symbolizes power, courage, confidence and at the bottom is a horse and a bull with beautiful wheel Dharma chakra at centre.

National Flag : Tiranga

Tiranga is the national flag of India.

The flag is designed by Pingali Venkayya and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July 1947.

The top saffron colour, indicates the strength and courage of the country.

The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra.

The green colour shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.

Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Its diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes.

The design of the National Flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947.

Oath of Allegiance : National Pledge

The National Pledge is an oath of allegiance to the Republic Of India.

It is commonly recited by Indians in unison at public events, especially in schools, and during the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.

The pledge was originally composed in Telugu language by writer Pydimarri Venkata Subba Rao in 1962.

It was first read out in a school in Visakhapatnam in 1963 and was subsequently translated into various regional languages.