Pingali Venkayya (2 August 1876[1] – 4 July 1963) was an Indian freedom fighter.
He was a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi and the designer of the flag on which the Indian national flag was based.
He was born in Telugbrahmin family at Bhatlapenumarru, near Machilipatnam, in what is now the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
A postage stamp was issued to commemorate him in 2009.
Initially, Pingali Venkayya-designed the flag featured saffron and green colours only; however, later, it was redesigned, and the third colour, white, was introduced along with a spinning wheel (Dharma Chakra) at the centre.
Finally, in 1931, the Indian National Congress officially adopted this flag as our nation’s Flag.
He is also known as ‘Jhanda Venkaiah’.
UPSC / PCM - 2026 / NEW REGULAR BATCH STARTS ON SEP-5, 2025 
