The National Emblem of India is an emblem or seal reserved for use as a sign of a nation-state or multi-national state by that nation. The National Emblem is a recreation of Asoka’s Lion Capital at Sarnath. On January 26, 1950, the Lion Capital profile was selected as India’s State Emblem. The National Emblem may be exhibited on the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, Supreme Court, and Central Secretariat buildings. 

The National Emblem is significant for the UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains curriculum. In this article, we will provide you with all features and necessary information on the National Emblem of India. Study major topics of UPSC from the perspective of UPSC Exams.

In this article on the National Emblem of India, we shall discuss its important features & a few other details. Also, study the NCERT Notes on Fundamental Duties in India from the linked article.

Recent Update

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently revealed India’s national symbol cast on the top of the new Parliament building in 2022.
• Opposition political groups accused the administration of violating the Constitution by expressing the four lions of the national emblem.
• The administration defended the cast due to extensive investigation and careful planning.

National Emblem Of India: Historical Background

• The history of the national emblem dates back to the third century when the Mauryans ruled India. 
• Emperor Ashoka created various sculptures and stone carvings to propagate Buddhist preachings, the most significant of which is the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.
• Friedrich Oscar Oertel unearthed the pillar in the year 1905. He discovered the Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath in three fragments while excavating.
• The upper half of the Lion Capital was discovered intact and is now housed at the Sarnath Museum.

What is Meant by an Emblem?

• An Emblem means a ‘symbolic representation’ in a distinct insignia exclusive to a particular body, organization or country.
• When an Emblem is designated to a particular nation, it is called the National Emblem of that Nation. It is then used in all the official communications undertaken by the various government agencies at the Central and State Levels.
• The National Emblem of a Nation represents that particular symbol's authority, power and historical significance.
• In the case of India, the National Emblem was adopted by Madhav Sawhney on 26th January 1950.

Criticism

• Opposition parties claim that the newly unveiled national insignia is ‘ferocious,’ with exposed teeth, and differs from the original picture.
• According to India’s main opposition party in Parliament, the inscription “Satyamev Jayate” is absent from the new structure atop the Parliament building.
• The authorities denied the criticism, claiming that the observed difference in the lions’ demeanor was due to the new structure’s size.

State Emblem Of India: Notable Features Of 4 Animals

The lions stand atop a circular abacus with engravings of a bull, a horse, and an elephant. Ashok Chakras or Dharmachakras divide the animals. The edifice above is supported by an inverted lotus, which has been designated as India’s National Flower. It is not, however, a part of the Emblem. The animals, together with the lions, are thought to symbolize the four periods of Gautam Buddha’s life.

• Lions represent the step of attaining enlightenment.
• The bull represents Taurus, Buddha’s zodiac sign.
• The elephant represents his beginning.
• The horse represents his riding out from the fortress where Jesus delivered his first sermon.

22 Facts About The National Emblem Of India

1. The National Emblem of India represents the Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh.
2. Dinanath Bhargava was chosen to create the National Emblem when the Constitution was prepared.
3. The three lions seen on the National Emblem on the capital’s representation symbolize Strength, Courage, and Confidence.
4. In March 1905, German-born construction engineer Friedrich Oscar Oertel discovered the Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath, which was discovered in three portions.
5. Badruddin Tyabji, a government servant and liberation warrior, and his wife, Surayya Tyabji, recommended using the Lion Capital.
6. The State Emblem of India Act of 2005 governs the national emblem.
7. When the Indian Constitution was drafted, one lion on the backside of the Lion Capital was left out of the National Emblem of India.
8. The State Emblem pillar portrays four lions in four directions representing confidence, authority, courage and power. It also represents the pictorial representations of animals like lions, horses, bulls and elephants.
9. The lion depicted in this pillar represents the ideal of enlightenment, whereas the horse represented the horse of Buddha when he departed from the citadel.
10. The Zodiac sign of Buddha, which is a bull represents Taurus’.
11. Whereas the birth of Buddha is represented by the Elephant, which denotes the dream of a white elephant entering the womb of Buddha’s mother before his birth.
12. Stones from the regions of Chunar and Mathura were used to carve this Ashokan Pillar by local skilled craftsmen.
13. The weight of each pillar is close to 50 tonnes, while each height is around 40 to 50 feet high.
14. The inscription is still available in only six pillars, animal capitals and nineteen pillars otherwise.
15. Buddha's ethical and moral teachings in his various doctrines are represented all over the pillar using various engravings.
16. The slogan of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ or ‘Truth Alone Triumphs’ is represented in the lower portion of this pillar. This slogan was taken up from the Mundaka Upanishad, which forms a part of the sacred Hindu Vedas.
17. As per the official rules, the National Emblem of India is authorized to be used only according to the regulations prescribed by the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005. Hence, any official usage of the National Emblem of India is strictly prohibited.
18. The President of India, the Central Government of India and the various State Governments of India use the National Emblem of India in all their official communication activities.
19. It is also represented on all the currencies of India and also on the National Passport of the Republic of India.
20. The Indian Police Service Officers also dawn the National Emblem of India on their uniforms.
21. The Members of Parliament (MPs) also have the authority to use the National Emblem of India on their letterheads and visiting cards.
22. If someone violates any rule or regulation associated with the National Emblem of India, they are liable to be punished for up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to Rs 2000 or both.

Usage Of The National Emblem Of India

• The national emblem serves as the President of India’s official seal and the seals of the federal and state governments. It’s included on every Indian passport and other international paperwork.
• The emblem may be exhibited on major public buildings such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, the Supreme Court, and the Central Secretariat.
• The emblem may be placed at the entry doors of buildings occupied by India’s Consulates overseas and at the houses of Heads of consular missions.
• The emblem may be exhibited on the premises of India’s Diplomatic Missions worldwide and by the heads of Missions.
• The emblem may be exhibited on the Raj Bhawan or Raj Niwas, as well as the State Legislature, High Courts, and Secretariat buildings of the states or union territories, among other places.

List Of Buildings where the National Emblem of India is represented

• Parliament House
• State Legislature
• Rashtrapati Bhawan
• Raj Bhawan or Raj Niwas
• Supreme Court
• High Courts
• Central Secretariat Buildings
• Secretariat Buildings of the State Governments or UT Governments.
• House of the Indian Diplomatic Missions Abroad
• The Indian Consulates in Foreign Countries authorize Entrance Gates of the Buildings.
• Premises of the Heads of Missions representing India in other countries.

National Emblem Of India & The New Parliament Building

Indian artisans created the 16,000 kg, 6.5-meter-tall Indian State Symbol out of high purity bronze. A steel structure weighing around 6,500 kg was constructed to support it. The emblem was created by Laxman Vyas of Jaipur and Sunil Deore of Aurangabad. There were eight steps of preparation for the concept sketch and casting of the National Emblem on the roof of the new Parliament building.

The Sarnath Lion Capital, which is kept in the Sarnath Museum, inspired the Indian State Emblem. High-relief sculptures of an elephant, a charging horse, a bull, and a lion are positioned on the abacus frieze and are divided by Dharma Chakras. A computer graphic sketch was the starting point for creating a clay model.

No other representation of the emblem compared to the New Parliament Building regarding the craftsmanship and materials used. The emblem's conception, creation, and casting took more than six months and the labour of over 100 artists from throughout the nation. The installation was challenging because it was 32 metres above the upper ground.

On January 26, 1950, the same day India's constitution took effect, the Indian flag was adopted. For the first handwritten constitution, an Indian painter named Dinanath Bhargava was hired to produce a two-dimensional or graphical portrayal of the Lion Capital.

National Emblem & the Ashoka Pillar

• The emblem is based on the Lion Capital of Ashoka, an ancient sculpture from the reign of the Maurya Empire that dates back to 280 BCE.
• The statue is a three-dimensional representation of four lions. In December 1947, it was adopted as the Dominion of India’s emblem and later as the Republic of India’s emblem.
• Four lions standing back to back 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 in the original Ashoka pillar animals in Sarnath.
• The national emblem is based on the Lion Capital, discovered atop the Ashoka Column in Sarnath in 250 BC.
• The capital features four Asiatic lions seated on a circular abacus, representing power, courage, pride, and confidence.

Rules & Regulations On Usage Of National Emblem

• The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, and the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007, control the National Emblem.
• According to Rule 10 of the State Symbol of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007, individuals or organisations are prohibited from using the national emblem or flag.
• The Emblems & Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Emblems & Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Rules, 1982, also restrict the use of national symbols on official documents by governmental agencies, such as emblems and national flags.
• The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act of 1950 prohibits using the national flag, a government department’s coat-of-arms, the President’s or Governor’s official seal, a pictorial portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi and the Prime Minister, and the Ashoka Chakra.
• Section 4 of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, states that no individual or organization may use the national emblem for company registration, patent registration, or any other purpose unless the Central Government grants permission.
• Furthermore, Section 5 of the Act bans registration authorities from registering any business, trade, or patent that includes the emblem.

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