<P> The flag should be flown at half - mast as a sign of mourning . The decision to do so lies with the President of India, who also decides the period of such mourning . When the flag is to be flown at half mast, it must first be raised to the top of the mast and then slowly lowered . Only the Indian flag is flown half mast; all other flags remain at normal height . </P> <P> The flag is flown half - mast nationwide on the death of the president, Vice-president or prime minister . It is flown half - mast in New Delhi and the state of origin for the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Union Ministers . On deaths of Governors, Lt. Governors and Chief Ministers, the flag is flown at half - mast in the respective states and union territories . </P> <P> The Indian flag cannot be flown at half - mast on Republic Day (26 January), Independence day (15 August), Gandhi Jayanti (2 October), National Week (6--13 April) or state formation anniversaries, except over buildings housing the body of the deceased dignitary . However, even in such cases, the flag must be raised to full - mast when the body is moved from the building . </P> <P> Observances of State mourning on the death of foreign dignitaries are governed by special instructions issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs 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 at half - mast . </P>

When was the national flag in its present from adopted