SATHEE: National Symbols - Quick Revision

National Symbols - Quick Revision

National Flag: Tricolour – saffron (courage), white (peace), green (prosperity); 24-spoke Ashoka Chakra (navy blue).
National Emblem: Adapted from Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka; motto “Satyameva Jayate”.
National Anthem: “Jana Gana Mana” – Rabindranath Tagore; 52 seconds full rendition.
National Song: “Vande Mataram” – Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay; from novel Anandamath.
National Calendar: Saka Era; Chaitra 1 falls on 22 March (21 March in leap year).
National Flower: Lotus – symbol of purity and enlightenment.
National Fruit: Mango – called “king of fruits”; native to Indian sub-continent.
National Tree: Banyan – symbol of immortality; widest canopy in world.
National River: Ganga – declared on 4 Nov 2008; length 2,525 km.
National Animal: Bengal Tiger (since 1972); Panthera tigris tigris.
National Bird: Indian Peacock; Pavo cristatus; protected under Schedule I of WPA.
National Aquatic Animal: Gangetic Dolphin – Platanista gangetica; declared 2010.
National Reptile: King Cobra – world’s longest venomous snake.
National Heritage Animal: Indian Elephant – Elephas maximus indicus.
National Sport: No official sport; hockey is “de-facto” (removed in 2012).
National Currency Symbol: ₹ – designed by D. Udaya Kumar; blend of Devanagari ‘Ra’ & Roman ‘R’.

Formula/Rule	Application
Flag ratio = 3:2 (length:height)	Always asked in Trivia/MCQ
Emblem uses 3 lions only (out of 4)	4th is hidden; 3 visible on abacus
Anthem 1st sung: 27 Dec 1911	Calcutta INC session
Song equals 6 stanzas of Anandamath	Only 1st stanza adopted
Saka 1943 = Gregorian 2021 (+78)	Rapid year conversion
Ganga basin area ≈ 26% of India	Quick area estimation
Tiger reserves: 53 (2023)	Min 1 in 10 MCQs
Dolphin habitat: 2,500 km Ganga stretch	Memory marker
₹ adopted: 15 July 2010	Udaya Kumar design
Peacock breeding: monsoon	Season cue for wildlife questions

Mistake	Correct Approach
Anthem written in 1950	Written in 1911; adopted 24 Jan 1950
Emblem shows 4 lions	Only 3 visible; 4th is hidden back
National sport = Hockey	No sport is official since 2012
Peacock is female	National bird is male peacock (has train)
Ganga declared in 1947	Declared National River on 4 Nov 2008

Stick to years: 1911 (Anthem), 1972 (Tiger), 2010 (Dolphin & ₹).
Picture recall: Visualise emblem lions & chakra to avoid 3-vs-4 error.
Flag dimension: 3:2 ratio—never 2:3 (width first).
Double negatives: “No official sport” is itself a fact—watch for “hockey” traps.
30-second scan: Re-read one-liners just before exam bell.

1. What is the ratio of the National Flag of India?

A) 2:3 B) 3:2 C) 5:3 D) 4:3 **Ans: B) 3:2**

2. The National Emblem is an adaptation of which Ashokan pillar?

A) Sanchi B) Sarnath C) Lauriya Nandangarh D) Rampurva **Ans: B) Sarnath**

3. Which of the following is **NOT** a national symbol?

A) King Cobra B) Indian Elephant C) Brahmos Missile D) Ganga River **Ans: C) Brahmos Missile**

4. The National Song “Vande Mataram” was taken from which novel?

A) Durgesh Nandini B) Anandamath C) Kapala Kundala D) Devi Chaudhurani **Ans: B) Anandamath**

5. In which year was the Gangetic Dolphin declared the National Aquatic Animal?

A) 2008 B) 2009 C) 2010 D) 2011 **Ans: C) 2010**