National Symbols Exercise Solutions | KalviGavani

National Symbols — Exercise Solutions

Use this page alongside the official Samacheer Kalvi textbook. Solve every exercise question on your own first, then check the solutions below.

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I. Choose the Correct Answer (MCQs)

Q1. The National Song Vande Mataram was composed by ______

• (a) Rabindranath Tagore
• (b) Mahatma Gandhi
• (c) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
• (d) Jawaharlal Nehru

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed Vande Mataram, which was included in his novel Anand Math. It was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.

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Q2. Which is the National Anthem of India?

• (a) Jana Gana Mana
• (b) Vande Mataram
• (c) Sare Jahan Se Accha
• (d) Saare Jahan Se Achcha

Jana Gana Mana, written by Rabindranath Tagore, is the National Anthem of India. Vande Mataram is the National Song.

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Q3. Who wrote the most famous novel Anand Math?

• (a) Rabindranath Tagore
• (b) Mahatma Gandhi
• (c) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
• (d) Pydimarri Venkata Subha Rao

Anand Math is a Bengali novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee that features the song Vande Mataram.

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Q4. ______ birthday is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence?

• (a) Mahatma Gandhi
• (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
• (c) Subhas Chandra Bose
• (d) B.R. Ambedkar

The United Nations declared October 2 (Mahatma Gandhi's birthday) as the International Day of Non-Violence in 2007.

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Q5. The colour of the Ashoka Chakra found in our National Flag is ______

• (a) Black
• (b) Navy Blue
• (c) White
• (d) Green

The Ashoka Chakra in the centre of the white band of the National Flag is Navy Blue. It has 24 spokes representing the 24 hours of the day.

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Q6. The first flag ever flown after Independence is stored in ______

• (a) Chennai Fort Museum
• (b) National Museum, Delhi
• (c) Kolkata Museum
• (d) Sabarmati Ashram

The first National Flag hoisted on August 15, 1947, is preserved in the Chennai Fort Museum (Fort St. George).

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Q7. The National Anthem was written by ______

• (a) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
• (b) Pydimarri Venkata Subha Rao
• (c) Rabindranath Tagore
• (d) Subramania Bharati

Rabindranath Tagore wrote Jana Gana Mana in Bengali. It was originally composed in 1911 and adopted as the National Anthem on January 24, 1950.

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Q8. The time taken to play the National Anthem is ______

• (a) 45 seconds
• (b) 60 seconds
• (c) 52 seconds
• (d) 55 seconds

The National Anthem must be sung in exactly 52 seconds as specified by the Constituent Assembly.

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Q9. "Vande Mataram" was first sung by ______ at the 1896 session of the National Congress

• (a) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
• (b) Rabindranath Tagore
• (c) Mahatma Gandhi
• (d) D.V. Paluskar

Rabindranath Tagore first sang Vande Mataram at the 1896 Indian National Congress session, giving the song its first public rendering.

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Q10. ______ hoists the flag on Independence Day in Delhi

• (a) The President
• (b) The Prime Minister
• (c) The Chief Justice
• (d) The Defence Minister

On Independence Day (August 15), the Prime Minister hoists the National Flag at the Red Fort in Delhi. On Republic Day (January 26), the President unfurls the flag.

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II. Fill in the Blanks

1. The National Emblem was adopted from the Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath 2. The National fruit of India is Mango 3. The National Bird of India is Peacock 4. Our National tree is the Banyan tree 5. The Flag which was flown on 1947 Independence Day was weaved in Gudiyatham 6. The Indian National Flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya 7. Kanishka started the Saka Era 8. The longest river in India is The Ganges 9. The Indian Rupee symbol was designed by D. Udhaya Kumar 10. The Chakra of the National Flag has 24 spokes

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III. Choose the Correct Answer (Additional)

1. The Lion Capital is now in the Sarnath museum 2. The National Anthem was adopted in 1950 3. Lactobacillus is declared as our National Microorganism

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IV. Fill in the Blanks (Analogy)

1. Saffron — Courage; White — Honesty, Peace, Purity 2. Horse — Energy; Bull — Hardwork and Dedication 3. 1947 — Independence Day; 1950 — Republic Day

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V. Match the Following

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VI. Match and Choose the Wrong Pair

Note: The National Heritage Animal of India is the Elephant (declared in 2010). The Tiger is the National Animal. Make sure you don't confuse these two.

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VII. Choose the Wrong Sentence

Q1. Which of the following is wrong?

• (a) The Chakra has 24 spokes
• (b) The National Flag has three colours
• (c) The Chakra is Sky Blue in colour
• (d) The Chakra represents the wheel of law

Correction: The Ashoka Chakra is Navy Blue, not Sky Blue.

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Q2. Which of the following is wrong?

• (a) The National Flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya
• (b) The first-ever flown Flag after Independence is stored in Kolkata Museum
• (c) Jana Gana Mana was adopted as the National Anthem in 1950
• (d) Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee

Correction: The first National Flag flown after Independence is stored in the Chennai Fort Museum, not Kolkata Museum.

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VIII. Choose the Correct Sentence

• (a) August 15 is celebrated as the Independence Day
• (b) August 15 is celebrated as Republic Day
• (c) January 26 is celebrated as Independence Day
• (d) November 26 is celebrated as Independence Day

August 15 marks India's Independence Day (1947). January 26 is Republic Day (1950). November 26 is Constitution Day.

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IX. Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. What do the colours in our National Flag represent?

• Saffron (top band) — Valour and Sacrifice
• White (middle band) — Honesty, Peace, and Purity
• Green (bottom band) — Fertility and Prosperity
• Navy Blue Ashoka Chakra (centre) — Truth and Peace (the wheel of law with 24 spokes)

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Q2. What are the parts of our National Emblem?

• Upper part: Four lions facing North, South, East, and West, standing on a circular pedestal
• Lower part: An elephant (East), a horse (West), a bull (South), and a lion (North) with the Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness) placed between them

The words "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs) from the Mundaka Upanishad are inscribed below the emblem in Devanagari script.

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Q3. Who wrote the National Pledge?

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Q4. Where is the peacock sanctuary located in Tamil Nadu?

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Q5. What are the animals found at the bottom of the National Emblem?

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Q6. Name the National Animal of India.

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Q7. Name the National Flower of India.

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X. Short Answer Questions

Q1. What are the salient features of the National Anthem?

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Q2. Draw and define the Indian Rupee Symbol.

• The Indian Rupee symbol ₹ was designed by D. Udhaya Kumar from Tamil Nadu
• It was presented to the public on 15 July 2010
• The symbol is a blend of the Devanagari letter "Ra" and the Roman letter "R"
• The horizontal line at the top represents the Indian flag and also the equal sign, symbolizing the nation's desire to reduce economic disparity
• Sher Shah Suri's currency was called Rupiya, which later transformed into Rupees

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Q3. Where do we use our National Emblem?

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Q4. What are the natural national symbols of India?

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Q5. Write a short note on the National Flag.

• The Indian National Flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya
• It has three horizontal bands:
• Saffron (top) — Valour and Sacrifice
• White (middle) — Honesty, Peace, and Purity, with a Navy Blue Ashoka Chakra in the centre
• Green (bottom) — Fertility and Prosperity
• The Ashoka Chakra has 24 spokes and represents the wheel of law (Dharma Chakra)
• The flag is made of Khadi (hand-spun cloth)
• The first flag flown after Independence on August 15, 1947, was weaved in Gudiyatham and is now preserved in the Chennai Fort Museum
• The Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission has the right to manufacture the National Flag
• As of 2009, Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha is the sole manufacturer

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Q6. Write a short note on Vande Mataram.

• Vande Mataram is the National Song of India
• It was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and included in his novel Anand Math
• It was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress
• The song inspired the freedom fighters during India's struggle for independence
• It was adopted as the National Song on 24th January 1950, alongside Jana Gana Mana as the National Anthem

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XI. Detailed / Long Answer Questions

Q1. Describe the National Emblem of India in detail.

The National Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath, which was erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.

Upper Part

• Four lions standing back-to-back, facing the four directions — North, South, East, and West
• Only three lions are visible from any one angle; the fourth is hidden from view
• The lions rest on a circular pedestal (abacus)

Lower Part

• The abacus is encircled by four smaller animals separated by intervening wheels:
• Elephant (East)
• Horse (West)
• Bull (South)
• Lion (North)
• The Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness) is placed in the centre
• The animals represent the four directions and symbolize:
• Elephant — Wisdom and power
• Horse — Energy and loyalty
• Bull — Hard work and dedication
• Lion — Courage and bravery

Motto

• Below the emblem is inscribed "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs) in Devanagari script, taken from the Mundaka Upanishad

Adoption and Use

• Adopted on 26th January 1950, the day India became a Republic
• Used on government letterheads, Indian currency, and passports

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Q2. Explain the significance of the National Anthem and the rules to be followed while singing it.

About the National Anthem

• Name: Jana Gana Mana
• Author: Rabindranath Tagore (written in Bengali)
• First Sung: December 27, 1911, at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress
• Adopted: January 24, 1950, by the Constituent Assembly
• Duration: 52 seconds
• Meaning: It praises the Lord of destiny of India and symbolizes the sovereignty and integrity of the nation

Rules to Follow While Singing

1. One must stand erect (attention) when the National Anthem is sung or played 2. The anthem must be completed in 52 seconds 3. One should understand the meaning of the words while singing 4. Salute should be given by those in uniform 5. No one should move or talk during the anthem 6. The anthem should be sung with respect and devotion

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Q3. What do you know about Tirupur Kumaran and the National Flag?

• Tirupur Kumaran (born in Chennimalai) was a freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu
• He participated in the freedom movement and led a protest march carrying the National Flag
• During the protest, the British police attacked the marchers and asked Kumaran to lower the flag
• Kumaran refused to let the flag touch the ground, even when he was brutally beaten
• He held the flag high until his last breath, sacrificing his life for the nation
• He was honoured with the title "Kodi Kaatha Kumaran" (Kumaran who protected the flag)
• His sacrifice reminds us of the importance of respecting our National Flag

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XII. Additional Important Questions

Fill in the Blanks:

1. The Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972 2. The National Flower of India is Lotus 3. Elephant was adopted as National Heritage Animal in 2010 4. The Congress committee of 1911 was held at Kolkata 5. The Indian Rupee symbol was designed by D. Udhaya Kumar 6. Tirupur Kumaran was born in Chennimalai 7. Tirupur Kumaran was honoured with the title Kodi Kaatha Kumaran 8. Satyameva Jayate means Truth Alone Triumphs 9. Lactobacillus was accepted as National Microorganism in 2012 10. Sher Shah Suri introduced Rupiya in the 16th Century 11. "Aaduvome Pallu Paduvome" was sung by T.K. Pattammal 12. The first citizen of India is the President 13. On Republic Day, the President unfurls the National Flag 14. International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2nd October 15. The National Anthem was first sung on December 27, 1911

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Confusing National Anthem with National Song. Jana Gana Mana = National Anthem (by Rabindranath Tagore); Vande Mataram = National Song (by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee). These are different.

2. Saying the Ashoka Chakra is "sky blue" or "black." The correct colour is Navy Blue. This is a very common exam mistake.

3. Confusing who hoists the flag on which day. Independence Day (August 15) = Prime Minister hoists the flag. Republic Day (January 26) = President unfurls the flag.

4. Mixing up National Animal and National Heritage Animal. National Animal = Tiger; National Heritage Animal = Elephant. Both are different.

5. Confusing the National Flag storage location. The first flag flown after Independence is preserved in Chennai Fort Museum, not Kolkata or Delhi.

6. Writing that "Vande Mataram was composed by Rabindranath Tagore." It was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Tagore only first sang it publicly in 1896.

7. Forgetting the Ashoka Chakra details. It has 24 spokes (representing 24 hours of the day) and represents the wheel of law (Dharma Chakra) — always mention both the number and the meaning.

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Exam Checklist

Before your exam, make sure you can:

• [ ] Name all the national symbols (flag, anthem, song, emblem, animal, bird, flower, tree, fruit, river, aquatic animal, reptile, heritage animal, microorganism)
• [ ] Explain the meaning of each colour in the National Flag (saffron, white, green) and the Ashoka Chakra (navy blue, 24 spokes)
• [ ] Identify the designers and composers: Pingali Venkayya (flag), Rabindranath Tagore (anthem), Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (song), D. Udhaya Kumar (rupee symbol), Pydimarri Venkata Subha Rao (pledge)
• [ ] Describe the National Emblem — four lions, four animals (elephant, horse, bull, lion), Dharma Chakra, and the motto "Satyameva Jayate"
• [ ] State the difference between Independence Day (Aug 15, PM hoists flag) and Republic Day (Jan 26, President unfurls flag)
• [ ] Recall key facts: National Anthem duration (52 seconds), National Anthem adoption date (Jan 24, 1950), first flag stored in Chennai Fort Museum, flag weaved in Gudiyatham
• [ ] Answer who first sang Vande Mataram (Rabindranath Tagore, 1896 Congress session)
• [ ] Explain the significance of Tirupur Kumaran ("Kodi Kaatha Kumaran")
• [ ] List the seven Kadaiyelu Vallalgal and the five thinais (for the Sangam Age chapter)
• [ ] Distinguish between National Animal (Tiger) and National Heritage Animal (Elephant)