Uttarakhand CM unveils new Police flag and emblem
Synopsis
Uttarakhand Police has replaced its 2008 tricolour flag with a deep-blue flag bearing a new emblem featuring the Ashoka Pillar, Satyameva Jayate, the Himalayas, and a river. The Chief Minister approved the redesign on 21 October 2026, with updated insignia and ceremonial uniforms to follow across all units.
Key Takeaways
Uttarakhand Police has adopted a new flag, emblem, insignia, and ceremonial uniform, replacing designs in use since 4 April 2008 .
The new flag features a deep-blue background with the police emblem at centre, framed by red and golden borders .
The emblem incorporates the Ashoka Pillar , 'Satyameva Jayate' , a golden laurel wreath, the Himalayas , and a river.
The Chief Minister approved the new design on 21 October 2026 ; the formal announcement came on 31 October 2026 .
Formation signs, crests, and ceremonial uniforms have all been updated to align with the new emblem.
Senior officials including DGP Deepam Seth and Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan were present at the unveiling event.
After 18 years under the same tricolour horizontal flag, Uttarakhand Police has a new identity — one that places the Ashoka Pillar, the Himalayas, and the words 'Satyameva Jayate' ('Truth Alone Prevails') at its very heart. The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand announced on 31 October 2026 that the state's police force has formally adopted a redesigned flag, emblem, insignia, and ceremonial uniform, replacing symbols that had been in use since 4 April 2008.
What the new flag and emblem carry
The old three-colour horizontal flag is gone. In its place stands a deep-blue flag with the new police emblem at its centre, framed by red and golden borders. The emblem itself is a layered statement of identity: the Ashoka Pillar and 'Satyameva Jayate' anchor it in national pride, while a golden laurel wreath, the Himalayas, and a river ground it firmly in Uttarakhand's geography. The symbolism is deliberate — national values of truth and justice, married to the state's defining landscape.
Formation signs, insignia, and crests worn by officers and personnel have all been redesigned to align with the new emblem. The ceremonial uniform has also been refreshed — the traditional khaki base is retained, but now carries a multicoloured ceremonial sash, decorative elements, and updated parade accessories that bring a sharper visual distinction to formal occasions.
The approval and the officials who witnessed it
According to details released by police headquarters, the Chief Minister formally approved the new design on 21 October 2026. The unveiling brought together senior leadership from both the administration and the force. Present at the occasion were Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Director General of Police Deepam Seth, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Dr. R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Director General P.V.K. Prasad, Director General (Intelligence and Security) Abhinav Kumar, Additional DGP (Crime and Law & Order) Dr. V. Murugeson, Secretary Dilip Jawlkar, R. Rajesh Kumar, Pankaj Pandey, and Inspector General Riddhim Aggarwal, among other senior officials.
Why 2026 and not sooner
The CMO's statement frames the redesign as a direct response to 'changing challenges and the growing responsibilities of the police force.' That is a candid acknowledgement: a state carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000 has evolved considerably — cross-border crime, pilgrimage-season crowd management, disaster response in fragile Himalayan terrain, and rising tourism all place demands on a force whose symbols last changed when the state was barely eight years old. The new identity is meant to signal that the institution has grown with those demands.
Across India, state police forces have periodically refreshed emblems and flags to blend national symbols with local character — Uttarakhand's revision follows that pattern, but the specificity of the Himalayan and river imagery gives it a distinctly regional flavour. The next visible step will be the rollout of new flags, insignia, and ceremonial uniforms to units across the state's 13 districts.
Uttarakhand Police has a new face. Whether the institutions behind it rise to match the symbolism is the question every officer now carries on their uniform.
Point of View
Distinct from its parent state Uttar Pradesh. The timing, ahead of a state election cycle, also ensures the imagery of a modernised, proud police force stays in public view. The real test, however, will be whether the rollout of new symbols is accompanied by substantive reforms in training, accountability, and community policing.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the new Uttarakhand Police flag look like?
The new Uttarakhand Police flag has a deep-blue background with the new police emblem at its centre and red and golden borders, replacing the old three-colour horizontal flag used since 2008.
What symbols are in the new Uttarakhand Police emblem?
The new emblem includes the Ashoka Pillar, the national motto 'Satyameva Jayate', a golden laurel wreath, the Himalayas, and a river — representing national pride, truth, justice, excellence, and Uttarakhand's geographical identity.
When did the Chief Minister approve the new Uttarakhand Police design?
The Chief Minister approved the new flag, emblem, and uniform design on 21 October 2026, according to details released by the police headquarters.
When was the previous Uttarakhand Police flag introduced?
The previous Uttarakhand Police flag, which featured three horizontal colours, was unveiled on 4 April 2008.
Will Uttarakhand Police uniforms also change?
Yes. Formation signs, insignia, crests, and ceremonial uniforms have all been updated. The ceremonial uniform retains the traditional khaki base but now includes a multicoloured ceremonial sash, decorative elements, and updated parade accessories.
