National Symbols of India – 40 Important MCQs for Competitive Exams (2025)
Welcome to this Ultimate National Symbols of India MCQ Quiz! This MCQ contains 40 important multiple-choice questions based on national symbols of India, which will test knowledge in static GK topic as well as also enhance your knowledge. These 40 questions are very important for those who are preparing for the competitive exams like SSC CGL, RRB, UPSC, IES, RRB JE, etc.
So, are you ready to test your knowledge and score 40/40? Let’s start from the question number 1.
1. When was the Indian National Flag adopted by the Constituent Assembly?
A. 15th August 1947
B. 26th January 1950
C. 22nd July 1947
D. 2nd October 1947
c
The Constituent Assembly adopted the National Flag of India on 22nd July 1947, before India gain independence on Aug 15 1947.
2. What is the official name of the Indian National Flag?
A. Tricolor
B. National Emblem
C. Tiranga
D. National Flag
c
The official name of the Indian flag is Tiranga, which means “tricolor” in Hindi. It is also commonly known as flag of India.
3. Who designed the current Indian National Flag?
A. Rabindranath Tagore
B. Pingali Venkayya
C. Badruddin Tyabji
D. Surayya Tyabji
b
Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh, designed the Indian National Flag. He initially designed a flag with a spinning wheel (charkha). Surayya Tyabji suggested replacing it with the Ashoka Chakra. This final design with the Ashoka Chakra was adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947.
4. What is the color of the Ashoka (Dharma) Chakra in the middle of our Indian flag?
A. Green
B. Orange
C. Navy blue
D. Black
c
The Ashoka Chakra is navy blue in color and placed at the center of the white strip.
5. How many spokes are there in the Ashoka Chakra at the center of the flag?
A. 20
B. 22
C. 24
D. 26
c
The Ashoka Chakra has 24 spokes in navy blue color and is derived from Emperor Ashoka’s Lion Capital at Sarnath.
6. What is the ratio of the length to the height of the Indian National Flag?
A. 2:1
B. 3:2
C. 4:2
D. 3:2.5
b
The Indian National Flag has a ratio of 3:2, meaning that the length is 1.5 times its height.
7. What does the color saffron at the top of the Indian flag represent?
A. Peace and truth
B. Strength, courage, and sacrifice
C. Unity of the nation
D. Strength and courage
b
The saffron color at the top of Indian National flag stands for courage, sacrifice, and the strength of the nation.
8. What does the white color in the middle of the Indian flag symbolize?
A. Unity
B. Power
C. Prosperity
D. Peace and truth
d
The white color in the middle of the Indian flag symbolizes truth, peace, and purity.
9. What does the green color at the bottom of the Indian flag denote?
A. Faith
B. Fertility
C. Prosperity
D. All of the above
d
The green color at the bottom of the Indian flag denotes faith, fertility, and prosperity.
10. The first tricolor flag of India was hoisted in?
A. Delhi
B. Mumbai
C. Chennai
D. Kolkata
d
On Aug 7, 1906, the first version of tricolor flag was hoisted at Parsee Bagan Square (now Girish Park) in Kolkata (then Calcutta). It was an unofficial flag, but played an important role in the Indian freedom movement. The flag had three horizontal stripes of green, yellow, and red, with symbols of the sun and crescent moon.
11. Which flag was introduced by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant during the Home Rule Movement in 1917?
A. The first tricolor flag with lotus and sun.
B. The current national flag of India.
C. The flag with orange and green stripes with the spinning wheel (Charkha).
D. The flag with red and green stripes with the Union Jack and a crescent moon.
d
During the Home Rule Movement in 1917, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant introduced a flag featuring five red and four green horizontal stripes with the Union Jack in the top left corner, and a crescent moon. This flag represented the demand for self-rule within the British Empire.
12. When did the Indian National Congress first officially adopt a tricolor flag with the Charkha (spinning wheel) at its center?
A. 1906
B. 1917
C. 1921
D. 1931
d
In 1931, the Indian National Congress officially accepted a tricolor flag with saffron, white, and green stripes with a Charkha (spinning wheel) in the center. This flag was meant to denote unity and the spirit of Swadeshi (self-reliance). The Charkha was later replaced by the Ashoka Chakra in the current national flag after independence.
13. Who hoisted the Indian national flag on December 30, 1943, in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, declaring the territory free from British rule?
A. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
B. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
C. Jawaharlal Nehru
D. None of the above
b
On December 30, 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian tricolor flag in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, declaring it the first Indian territory freed from British rule. He did this as the leader of the Azad Hind Government and the Indian National Army (INA), symbolizing the fight for independence of India.
14. Who hoisted the Indian National Flag at the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 1947, officially declaring India’s independence from British rule?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
C. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
D. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
d
On August 15, 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, hoisted the Indian National Flag at the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 1947, officially declaring India’s independence from British rule.
15. What is the National Emblem of India adopted from?
A. Ashoka Chakra
B. Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath
C. Red Fort
D. Konark Sun Temple
b
The National Emblem of India is derived from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath, originally built in 250 BCE by Ashoka Emperor. This symbolizes power, courage, confidence, and pride.
16. When was the National Emblem of India officially adopted?
A. August 15, 1947
B. January 26, 1950
C. January 30, 1948
D. October 2, 1950
b
The National Emblem was adopted on January 26, 1950, the day India became a Republic.
17. How many lions are visible in the National Emblem of India?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
c
The original sculpture has actually four lions, but only three are visible in the two-dimensional representation. The fourth lion is hidden from view.
18. Who designed the National Emblem of India?
A. Rabindranath Tagore
B. Pingali Venkayya
C. Dinanath Bhargava
D. None of the above
c
Dinanath Bhargava designed the National Emblem of India under the guidance of the constituent assembly of India.
19. What is the phrase inscribed below the National Emblem of India?
A. Jai Hind
B. Vande Mataram
C. Satyameva Jayate
D. None of these
c
The phrase “Satyameva Jayate” is inscribed below the emblem in Devanagari script whose meaning is “Truth Alone Triumphs”. It is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.
20. Which four animals are carved on the abacus of the National Emblem of India?
A. Lion, Tiger, Elephant, Horse
B. Elephant, Cow, Lion, Deer
C. Bull, Tiger, Horse, Deer
D. Elephant, Bull, Horse, Lion
d
The features carvings of four animals are: Elephant (symbolizes Buddha’s birth), Bull (representing strength), Horse (representing speed and energy), and Lion (stands for leadership and courage). These animals are separated by Ashoka Chakras.
21. Where can you find the National Emblem of India in daily life?
A. Indian currency
B. Passports
C. Government documents
D. All of the above
d
The National Emblem is used by Government of India, including President, Prime Minister, Supreme court, Parliament, and various official documents. It is used on currency notes, official government documents, passports, and various other official insignia.
22. What is the National Anthem of India which is officially adopted on Jan 24, 1950?
A. Vande Mataram
B. Sare Jahan Se Achha
C. Jana Gana Mana
D. Jai Hind
c
The National Anthem of India is “Jana Gana Mana”, officially, adopted as the National Anthem on Jan 24, 1950, by the Constituent Assembly of India. It was written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali, but later translated in Hindi.
23. When was the song “Jana Gana Mana” first published?
A. January 26, 1950
B. December 27, 1911
C. December 27, 1912
D. January 24, 1950
b
The song “Jana Gana Mana” was first published on December 27, 1911, in the Tatva Bodhini Patrika, a journal of the Brahmo Samaj. It was also first sung publicly on the same day at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.
24. What is the English title of the song “Jana Gana Mana”, when it is translated into English by Tagore in 1919?
A. Anthem of India
B. India’s National Song
C. Morning Song of India
D. None of these
c
In 1919, Tagore translated the song “Jana Gana Mana” in English with the title “Morning song of India”.
25. What is the official duration of the full version of the Indian National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana” when played?
A. 52 seconds
B. 54 seconds
C. 60 seconds
D. 51 seconds
a
The official duration of the full version of the Indian National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana” when played is approximately 52 seconds.
26. Who wrote the National song of India “Vande Mataram”?
A. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
B. Bipin Chandra Pal
C. Rabindranath Tagore
D. Swami Vivekananda
a
The National song of India “Vande Mataram” was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875, originally in Sanskrit.
27. Vande Mataram was taken from which of the following novels published in 1982?
A. Gitanjali
B. Durgeshnandini
C. My Experiments with Truth
D. Anandamath
d
“Vande Mataram” was taken from his novel Anandamath published in 1982. Its English translation was done by Sri Aurobindo.
28. On which political occasion the national song of India “Vande Mataram” was sung first time?
A. 1896 INC Session
B. 1891 INC Session
C. 1906 INC Session
D. 1911 INC Session
a
The national song of India was sung for the first time at the Congress Session of 1896.
29. What is the National Animal of India?
A. Royal Bengal Tiger
B. Lion
C. Elephant
D. Leopard
a
The Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India. It symbolizes strength, grace, and power. Lion was the national animal of India till 1972. Later on, it was replaced by tiger.
30. Which flower is recognized as the National Flower of India?
A. Rose
B. Lotus
C. Marigold
D. Jasmine
b
The Lotus symbolizes purity, beauty, and divinity. It is deeply rooted in Indian culture and heritage.
31. What is the National Bird of India?
A. Sparrow
B. Parrot
C. Eagle
D. Peacock
d
The Indian Peacock (Pavo Cristatus) is the national bird of India. It was declared in 1963 because of its rich religious and cultural significance.
32. Which tree is declared as the National Tree of India?
A. Neem
B. Mango
C. Peepal
D. Banyan
d
The Banyan (Ficus Benghalensis) tree is the national tree of India. It is a symbol of longevity and shelter. It is deeply revered in Indian tradition.
33. Which of the following river is considered the National River of India?
A. Ganga
B. Yamuna
C. Brahmaputra
D. Saraswati
a
The Ganga is the most sacred river in India and symbolizes purity and life.
34. What is the National Fruit of India?
A. Banana
B. Mango
C. Apple
D. Orange
b
The mango (Mangifera Indica) is the national fruit of India. It has been cultivated in India for over 4000 years.
35. Which of the following animal is the national heritage animal of India?
A. Lion
B. Tiger
C. Horse
D. Elephant
d
Elephant is the national heritage animal of India.
36. The Indian national calendar is based on
A. Vikram era
B. Christian era
C. Lunar era
D. Saka era
d
National calendar of India is based on Saka Era began in 78 A.D. It was officially adopted on March 22, 1957 By the Government of India. In this calendar, Chaitra is its first month and Phalguna its last month with a normal year of 365 days adopted from March 22, 1957 along with Gregorian Calendar. Chaitra 1 falls normally March 22 and on March 21 in leap year.
37. Which sport is officially recognized as the National Sport of India?
A. Cricket
B. Football
C. Hockey
D. Kabaddi
c
Although cricket is the most popular sport of India, but Hockey is officially regarded as the national sport of India due to India’s historic success in it, especially during the Olympics.
38. The Supreme Court of India declared that the right to hoist the national flag is a fundamental right under which Article of the Constitution?
A. Article 14
B. Article 19
C. Article 21
D. Article 25
b
The Supreme Court ruled that hoisting the national flag is a part of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.
39. Which of these is the national aquatic animal of India?
A. Sea Turtle
B. Blue Whale
C. Dugong
D. Gangetic Dolphin
d
The Ganges River Dolphin was declared India’s national aquatic animal in 2009.
40. Which of the following is the National Reptile of India?
A. Indian Cobra
B. Crocodile
C. Monitor Lizard
D. Indian Python
a
The Indian Cobra is considered the National Reptile of India, symbolizing Indian mythology and culture.
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