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Indian Ensigns

Indian Ensigns

In the first few years, the Indian navy flew the national flag at the jack staff and the standard RN white ensign at the ensign staff.

Change of January 26, 1950

On 26 January 1950, India promulgated its constitution and became a republic. The national flag continued unchanged, but the Indian navy instituted a new jack with the national flag replacing the Union Jack in the white ensign at the ensign staff. Similarly, the Indian Air Force and Indian Army instituted new flags (and other insignia) with the constitution and break with the UK.

Zeljko Heimer
Civil ensign of India: red with national flag in canton, ratio 2:3 (from "Flagmakers Catalogue")

Zeljko Heimer
War ensign of India: St. George's cross with national flag in canton, ratio 1:2 (from "Flagmakers Catalogue").

Zeljko Heimer
Blue ensign of India: Indian national flag in canton and yellow anchor horizontally in the fly half, ratio 2:3 (from "Flagmakers Catalogue").

from Smith, "Flags and Arms Across the World".
The Indian war flag is red with golden crossed swords and a capital from the Maurya empire time that is the national coat of arms of India. On the flag is just the capital without the inscription that is a part of the arms.
Zeljko Heimer