Underwater Tricolour at Swaraj Dweep enters Guinness World Records
Synopsis
More than 200 scuba divers braved strong currents and high water pressure to unfurl a 2,400 square metre Tricolour at the bottom of the sea near Swaraj Dweep — and it's now officially a Guinness World Record. Bengaluru adventurer Sharath R. Ashok, a certified dive master with over a decade of experience, was part of the team that pulled off one of India's most dramatic patriotic feats underwater.
Key Takeaways
India's largest Tricolour, measuring 60x40 metres ( 2,400 square metres ), was unfurled underwater at Swaraj Dweep on 2 May 2025 .
The mission involved more than 200 scuba divers from across India and earned a Guinness World Records certificate.
Lieutenant Governor Admiral D.K.
Joshi presented the official Guinness certificate to the team.
Bengaluru -based adventure sports professional Sharath R.
Ashok , son of Karnataka Opposition Leader R.
Ashoka (BJP) , was a key participant.
Sharath holds over 10 years of experience in scuba diving, paragliding, paramotoring, motocross, and mountaineering.
India's largest national flag was unfurled deep beneath the sea at Swaraj Dweep in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 2 May 2025, securing a place in the Guinness World Records. The historic mission, involving more than 200 skilled scuba divers from across the country, was conducted with the support of the Andaman and Nicobar administration and Indian defence forces. Bengaluru-based adventure sports professional Sharath R. Ashok was among the key participants in the record-setting underwater operation.
The Record-Breaking Mission
The operation involved unfurling a massive 60x40 metre (2,400 square metre) Tricolour beneath the ocean, battling strong underwater currents and high water pressure. The scale and complexity of the mission required meticulous coordination among the large team of certified divers. Recognising the feat, Lieutenant Governor Admiral D.K. Joshi personally presented the team with the official Guinness World Records certificate.
Who Is Sharath R. Ashok
Sharath R. Ashok, an automobile engineering graduate based in Bengaluru, has been active in adventure sports for more than a decade. He is a certified dive master and scuba instructor with international credentials, and also holds training in paragliding, paramotoring, motocross, and mountaineering. He is the son of R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader. His achievement has been widely noted as an inspiration to youth across Karnataka.
What Sharath Said
Speaking about the accomplishment, Sharath said the Indian Tricolour symbolises the strength and unity of 1.4 billion Indians. He described unfurling the national flag beneath the ocean as a moment of immense pride, adding that his long journey in adventure sports and wildlife conservation motivated him to be part of such a significant national effort.
Background and Significance
Sharath has more than 10 years of experience leading expeditions across diverse terrains, including scuba diving, motocross, paragliding, paramotoring, and mountaineering. He is also active in wildlife conservation and politics. This mission stands out not only for its scale — involving over 200 divers and a flag spanning 2,400 square metres — but also for the logistical challenge of executing a precision operation at significant ocean depth. The achievement adds to India's growing profile in record-setting patriotic endeavours, with Swaraj Dweep, a premier island destination in the Andaman archipelago, serving as the dramatic backdrop.
Point of View
Adventure, and institutional coordination — but what makes it genuinely notable is the operational complexity: 200-plus divers, a 2,400 square metre flag, and the unforgiving physics of deep-sea currents. Sharath R. Ashok's participation will inevitably draw political attention given his father's profile in Karnataka, but the achievement itself stands on its own merit. India has a pattern of record-setting patriotic spectacles; the more interesting question is whether missions like this can also build a lasting culture of adventure sports and ocean conservation, particularly around ecologically sensitive island territories like the Andamans.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What Guinness World Record did India set at Swaraj Dweep?
India set a Guinness World Record by unfurling its largest Tricolour underwater at Swaraj Dweep in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 2 May 2025. The national flag measured 60x40 metres, covering 2,400 square metres, and was deployed by more than 200 scuba divers.
Who is Sharath R. Ashok and what was his role in the mission?
Sharath R. Ashok is a Bengaluru-based adventure sports professional and certified dive master with over 10 years of experience. He was one of the key participants in the underwater Tricolour mission and is the son of Karnataka Opposition Leader and BJP leader R. Ashoka.
Who supported and organised the underwater flag mission?
The mission was organised with the support of the Andaman and Nicobar administration and Indian defence forces. Lieutenant Governor Admiral D.K. Joshi presented the official Guinness World Records certificate to the team.
Where is Swaraj Dweep and why was it chosen for this mission?
Swaraj Dweep, formerly known as Havelock Island, is a premier island destination in the Andaman archipelago, known for its clear waters and rich marine environment. It served as the backdrop for the record-setting underwater operation.
What challenges did the divers face during the underwater flag unfurling?
The team had to contend with strong underwater currents and high water pressure while deploying a 2,400 square metre flag at depth. Coordinating more than 200 divers in such conditions required extensive planning and professional expertise.
