<P> In the event of a halfmast day coinciding with the Republic Day, Independence Day, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, National Week (6 to 13 April), any other particular day of national rejoicing as may be specified by the Government of India, or, in the case of a state, on the anniversary of formation of that state, flags are not permitted to be flown at half - mast except over the building where the body of the deceased is lying until it has been removed and that flag shall be raised to the full - mast position after the body has been removed . </P> <P> Observances of State mourning on the death of foreign dignitaries are governed by special instructions issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Home Ministry) in individual cases . However, in the event of death of either the Head of the State or Head of the Government of a foreign country, the Indian Mission accredited to that country may fly the national flag on the above - mentioned days . India observed a five - day period of National Mourning on the death of Nelson Mandela in 2013 . India also declared 29 March 2015 as a day of National Mourning as a mark of respect to the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew . </P> <P> The flag of Iran is flown at half - mast on the death of a national figure or mourning days . </P> <Ul> <Li> On 21 January 2017 Iran's flag was flown at half - mast worldwide to respect the victims of the Plasco Building collapse; </Li> <Li> On 10 January 2017 Iran's flag was flown at half - mast worldwide to respect the death of the national figure and late Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who died on 8 January 2017 </Li> </Ul>

Who has the authority to lower the us flag