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Karnataka considers official status for the Kannada flag
ଖବରରେ କାହିଁକି?
The Constitution has no state flags, so why does Karnataka's red-and-yellow banner need legal recognition? KPSC polity answer
State weighs formal recognition for the red-and-yellow Kannada flag.
Why it matters: asked in KPSC 2021; factual, Prelims-type; Karnataka-specific
What you need to know
2 ମିନିଟ
On 1 November 2026 Chief Minister D.K.
Shivakumar said the state government is considering official state-flag status for the red-and-yellow Kannada flag, which is hoisted every Kannada Rajyotsava.
Discussions with legal experts cover making it flown at government offices and encouraging private institutions to display it.
The Constitution does not provide for separate state flags, so the question is mainly one of legal recognition.
ଉତ୍ସ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ମୁଖ୍ୟ ତଥ୍ୟ
Remember these
- On 1 November 2026 CM D.K. Shivakumar said the government is considering official state-flag status for the red-and-yellow Kannada flag
- The flag is hoisted every Kannada Rajyotsava (1 November)
- Mysore State was renamed Karnataka on 1 November 1973 under CM D. Devaraj Urs
- The Constitution does not provide for separate state flags, so the issue is one of legal recognition
- Proposals include flying it at government offices and encouraging private institutions to display it
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ · ମେନ୍ସ
How the exam will ask it
ପ୍ରିଲିମ୍ସ
- The Indian Constitution contains no provision for separate flags for States; the National Flag is governed by the Flag Code of India and the Emblems and Names Act.
- Kannada Rajyotsava is observed on 1 November, marking the formation of the unified Mysore State in 1956; the State was renamed Karnataka in 1973.
- State symbols such as a flag have no constitutional status and depend on executive or legislative recognition.
ମେନ୍ସ
GS-II (Polity and federalism) and KPSC Karnataka culture and polity. The issue is the push for an official state flag when the Constitution is silent on separate State flags and stresses unity of the Union; the way forward is a legal opinion that balances cultural identity and regional pride with national symbols, ensuring the State flag never rivals the National Flag's primacy.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
Which bird appears on the state emblem of Karnataka?
- Eagle
- Gandabherunda
- Vritra
- Yali
ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ
ଉତ୍ତର: B
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Mysore State was renamed Karnataka on 1 November 1973 during the chief ministership of:
- S. Nijalingappa
- Kengal Hanumanthaiah
- Veerendra Patil
- D. Devaraj Urs
ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ
ଉତ୍ତର: D — Correct: D. Devaraj Urs — D. Devaraj Urs was Chief Minister when the State was renamed Karnataka in 1973. • S. Nijalingappa — wrong: S. Nijalingappa was Chief Minister in the late 1950s and 1960s, before the renaming. • Kengal Hanumanthaiah — wrong: Kengal Hanumanthaiah led Mysore State in the early 1950s, long before 1973. • Veerendra Patil — wrong: Veerendra Patil was Chief Minister in 1968-71, not in 1973.
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