DISPLAY OF THE STATE EMBLEM OF INDIA ON VEHICLES
As per the provisions of Chapter VI of the Orders relating to the State Emblem of India issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the State Emblem may be displayed on -
i. Cars of the Rashtrapati Bhavan when the President or his wife is traveling by such vehicles and the spare car following the car of the President;
ii. Car of the Vice-President when he or his wife is traveling;
iii. Cars of Raj Bhavans or Raj Niwases when the following dignitaries or their wives are traveling by such vehicles within the State or Union Territory concerned:-
a. President,
b. Vice-President,
c. Governor of the State,
d. Lt. Governor of the Union Territory;
iv. Cars of Rashtrapati Bhavan when the following dignitaries or their wives are traveling by such cars:-
a. Visiting Heads of Foreign States,
b. Visiting Vice-Presidents of Foreign States or dignitaries of equivalent status,
c. Visiting Heads of Foreign Governments or dignitaries of equivalent status like Crown Prince and Princess of Foreign States;
v. Cars of Raj Bhavans or Raj Niwases when the following dignitaries or their wives are traveling by such vehicles within the State or Union Territory concerned:-
a. Visiting Heads of Foreign States,
b. Visiting Vice-Presidents of Foreign States or dignitaries of equivalent status,
c. Visiting Heads of Foreign Governments or dignitaries of equivalent status
vi. Cars and other means of transport used by the Heads of India's Diplomatic Missions in the countries of their accredition;
vii. Cars and other means of transport used by the Heads of India's Consular posts abroad in the countries of their accredition subject to the laws, regulations and usages of the countries concerned;
viii. Cars maintained by the Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs when in use for duty with the foreign dignitaries of the rank of Cabinet Ministers and above visiting India and escorting the Ambassadors accredited to India on ceremonial occasions.
Triangular metal plaques showing the Ashoka Chakra (i.e. Dharma Chakra which is a part of the State Emblem) may be displayed on
• Cars of the following dignitaries when they are traveling anywhere in India:-
Cabinet Ministers of the Union;
Ministers of State of the Union;
Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha;
Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha;
• Cars of the following dignitaries when they are traveling within their State or Union Territory, as the case may be:-
Cabinet Ministers in States,
Ministers of State in States,
Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the State Legislative Assemblies,
Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the State Legislative Councils,
Ministers (other than Deputy Ministers) of Union Territories with Legislature
Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories.
PENALTY FOR MISUSE: Section 3, of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 prohibits the use of the State Emblem or any colourable imitation thereof ‘for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession, or in the title of any patent, or in any trade mark or design…except in such cases and under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Central Government.’ Contravention of this provision is punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees. Prosecution can, however, be instituted, only with the previous sanction of the Central Government or of any officer, authorized in this behalf by general or special order of the Central Government.
