National Symbols of India – List of 17 National Symbols with Names

Author at PW
November 18, 2025
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What are the National Symbols of India?

India is a country known for its rich culture, long history, and unity in diversity. To show this identity, we have special symbols that represent our nation at the global level. These are called the national symbols of India. Each symbol has its own meaning and tells us something important about the values, traditions, and beliefs of the country. For example, the National Flag is called the Tiranga. Learning about India's national flag helps us understand the importance of courage, peace, and growth.

Students often learn about the 10 national symbols of India, such as the National Animal (Tiger), National Bird (Peacock), National Flower (Lotus), and others. But in detail, there are also 17 national symbols of India, which include the National Tree, National Song, National River, National Currency, and more. Knowing all national symbols of India is not just for exams but also helps in understanding the pride and respect connected to them. Check out the List of National Symbols of India with Names from the article below.

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17 National Symbols of India

Check out the List of 17 National Symbols of India here:- 

List of National Symbols of India

National Symbol Category

Symbol

About

National Flag of India

The Tiranga is the National Flag of India.

It has three colours: saffron, white, and green with the Ashoka Chakra. It was adopted on 22 July 1947.

National Anthem of India

Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India.

It was written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911 and adopted as the anthem in 1950.

National Game of India

Hockey is the National Game of India.

Hockey gave India many Olympic gold medals and great players.

National Song of India

Vande Mataram is the National Song of India.

It was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s and first sung in the 1896 session of the INC.

National Emblem of India

The Lion Capital of Ashoka is the National Emblem of India.

It was adopted on 26 January 1950 and shows four lions standing back to back.

National Animal of India

The tiger is the National Animal of India.

The Bengal Tiger represents strength, courage, and power.

National Bird of India

The peacock is the National Bird of India.

The peacock is known for its beauty and grace. It was declared the national bird in 1963.

National Flower of India

Lotus is the National Flower of India.

The lotus stands for purity and faith. It is deeply linked with Indian culture.

National Tree of India

Banyan Tree is the National Tree of India.

It shows immortality and is considered sacred in Indian tradition.

National Fruit of India

Mango is the National Fruit of India.

Mango is called the king of fruits and comes in numerous varieties.

National River of India

Ganga is the National River of India.

The river Ganga is worshipped in India and supports millions of people.

National Currency Symbol of India

The Rupee (₹) is the Currency Symbol of India.

The design was adopted in 2010 and shows the Indian and Devanagari script.

National Calendar of India

The Saka Calendar is the National Calendar of India.

It started in 78 AD and was officially adopted in 1957.

National Reptile of India

The King Cobra is the National Reptile of India.

It is the longest venomous snake in the world and is respected in Indian culture.

National Aquatic Animal of India

The River Dolphin is the National Aquatic Animal of India.

It is an endangered species found mainly in the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.

National Heritage Animal of India

The elephant is the National Heritage Animal of India.

It shows strength, wisdom, and is an important part of Indian tradition.

National Vegetable of India

Pumpkin is the National Vegetable of India.

Pumpkin is a common and healthy vegetable grown widely in India.

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National Symbols Name of India in Detail

Here are the details of the National Symbols of India:-

1. National Flag of India

 

The National Flag is called the Tiranga. The colour of the Indian national flag has three parts: saffron on top, white in the middle with the Ashoka Chakra, and green at the bottom. It was adopted on 22 July 1947, just before Independence, to give India its own identity. Learning about India's national flag shows us the values of courage, peace, and growth.

2. National Anthem of India

Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India. It was written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911 in Bengali. It was first sung at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress. It was officially adopted on 24 January 1950. The anthem reflects the unity of the country and was important during the freedom struggle.

3. National Song of India

Vande Mataram is the National Song of India. It was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Sanskrit and Bengali in the 1870s. It became very popular during the independence movement and inspired many freedom fighters. It was first sung in 1896 at the Indian National Congress session by Rabindranath Tagore.

4. National Emblem of India

The National Emblem of India is taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. It was adopted on 26 January 1950. The emblem in India shows four lions standing back to back, but only three can be seen at one time. It stands for truth, courage, and power, with the words Satyameva Jayate written below.

5. National Animal of India

The Bengal Tiger is the National Animal of India. It represents courage, strength, and leadership. Tigers are found in many parts of India, especially in reserves like Sundarbans and Jim Corbett. It was chosen as a symbol in 1973 to show India’s effort to protect wildlife.

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6. National Bird of India

The Peacock is the National Bird of India. It was declared in 1963 because of its beauty, grace, and importance in Indian culture. Peacocks are linked with Lord Krishna and many old stories. The bird spreads its colourful feathers during the rains, which makes it very special.

7. National Flower of India

The Lotus is the National Flower of India. It is a sacred flower in Indian culture and often linked with gods and goddesses. The lotus grows in muddy water but stays pure and clean, which shows purity and strength. It has been used in Indian art, literature, and temple designs for centuries.

8. National Tree of India

The Banyan Tree is the National Tree of India. It is a large tree that gives shelter to people and animals. In villages, people gather under banyan trees for meetings and rest. It stands for long life and immortality, which makes it important in Indian tradition.

9. National River of India

The Ganga is the National River of India. It is worshipped as a goddess in Hindu tradition and has a very old history in Indian culture. The river gives water to millions of people for farming, drinking, and daily life. It is also important for religious rituals and festivals.

10. National Fruit of India

The Mango is the National Fruit of India. It is called the “King of Fruits” and has been grown in India for thousands of years. Mangoes are loved for their sweet taste and many varieties, like Alphonso and Dasheri. It is also mentioned in old Sanskrit texts and is a symbol of prosperity.

Read More: List of Important Articles in Indian Constitution for 2025 Competitive Exams

National Symbols of India FAQs

Q1. How many national symbols of India are there?

There are 17 national symbols of India, including the flag, anthem, song, animal, bird, tree, fruit, and many more.

Q2. What is special about the India National Flag?

The Tiranga has three colours: saffron, white, and green, with the Ashoka Chakra in the centre. The colour of the Indian national flag shows courage, peace, and growth.

Q3. Who designed the Indian National Flag?

The flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya. It was adopted on 22 July 1947, before Independence.

Q4. What is the National Anthem of India, and who wrote it?

Jana Gana Mana is the anthem. It was written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1911 and became the official anthem in 1950.

Q5. What is the National Song of India?

Vande Mataram is the National Song of India. It was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s and first sung in 1896.

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National Symbols of India – List of 17 National Symbols with Names