Misuse of the national emblem and images of the President and Prime Minister can result in a hefty fine of ₹5 lakh.

The Central Government is preparing a legal amendment to impose a severe penalty for the misuse of the national emblem, as well as the names and photographs of the President and Prime Minister. The Central Government has proposed amendments that include a fine of up to ₹5 lakh and imprisonment. This is an amendment combining two existing laws related to the misuse of the national emblem and other such symbols.

The government is attempting to merge two laws and bring them under the control of a single department. In 2019, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced amendments stipulating a fine of ₹1 lakh for the first offense and ₹5 lakh along with six months of imprisonment for repeated offenses related to the misuse of the national emblem and other symbols. The laws from 2005 and 1950 will be merged into one through the unification process. As per the Consumer Protection Act, the fine is ₹500, while under the law governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the fine can be up to ₹5,000.