GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Nov: India has introduced new ship flag rules, replacing a maritime notification that had governed the flags flown by Indian vessels since February 1961.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued the notification on November 9 under Section 37(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. Actions already taken under the earlier notification will remain valid.

Under the revised framework, Indian merchant vessels registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, will fly the Red Ensign. The flag will feature the Indian National Flag in the upper canton, the area closest to the flagstaff, with its length one-and-a-half times its width, in line with the Flag Code of India, 2002.

Government-owned vessels will fly the Blue Ensign, irrespective of their registration under the Merchant Shipping Act. These vessels must carry the badge of the department, authority or organisation that owns them. The provision does not cover ships belonging to the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.

The notification also sets conditions for using official badges on the Blue Ensign. New badges will require prior approval from the Centre, with applications routed through the Director General of Maritime Administration. Organisations already using approved badges can continue with them.

A separate provision covers Indian merchant vessels that receive financial subvention from the Ministry of Defence and operate exclusively for it. These vessels will also fly the Blue Ensign, but their badges must be authorised through a Warrant issued by the Chief of the Naval Staff. Applications must be submitted directly to the Naval Chief.

The Blue Ensign will be royal blue, with the Indian National Flag in the upper canton and a light golden badge at the centre of the fly half. The badge must fit within a circle whose diameter does not exceed 13/30th of the flag’s width.

The revised framework establishes separate flag requirements for merchant ships, government-owned vessels and merchant vessels operating exclusively for the Defence Ministry.