Tiranga Triumph

India scripts history with 60-metre 'Tiranga' unfurled underwater 

In a moment where patriotism met the depths of the ocean, India etched its name into history—this time not on land or sky, but beneath the shimmering blue waters of the Andaman Sea. The Indian Tiranga, long a symbol of unity and pride, now waves in an extraordinary new realm, marking a record-breaking achievement that has captivated the nation.

Record site
The record was set on May 2, 2026, off the coast of Swaraj Dweep, near Radhanagar Beach, in the Andaman Sea, where the flag was deployed at a depth of approximately 30 to 35 feet (9–11 metres) below sea level, a range considered suitable for coordinated scuba operations while maintaining diver safety and visibility. Measuring around 60 metres in length and 40 metres in width, the tricolour is among the largest national flags ever handled underwater, and its deployment involved more than 200 certified scuba divers, including personnel from diving organisations, local instructors, and trained support teams who coordinated closely throughout the operation. 

    The execution followed a staged underwater deployment process rather than a single descent. The folded flag was transported by boats to the designated dive site, after which divers descended in groups carrying sections of the fabric. Underwater, they assembled in a grid formation, with each diver assigned a fixed position to gradually unfold and stabilise the flag. Weights and anchor points were attached along the edges to prevent drifting caused by underwater currents, which are moderate in this part of the Andaman Sea. Divers maintained precise buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the seabed and to ensure the flag remained clearly visible and intact. Communication relied entirely on pre-decided hand signals and rope markers, as verbal exchange is not possible underwater, while safety divers and surface teams continuously monitored oxygen levels, time limits, and diver positioning.

    The event was recognised as a Guinness World Records achievement under the category of the largest underwater display of a national flag, requiring accurate pre-measurement of the flag, continuous underwater video documentation, the presence of official witnesses, and verification that the flag was fully spread and visible. Alongside the flag deployment, a separate coordinated human formation underwater was also undertaken, with divers assembling into a structured configuration as part of the same initiative.

Moneycontrol.com

Official support
The initiative was carried out with support from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, in collaboration with diving agencies and local tourism bodies, with the objective of promoting scuba diving and marine tourism in the Andaman region, positioning Swaraj Dweep as a global destination for underwater activities, and demonstrating the capability for large-scale underwater coordination. Environmental guidelines were followed during the operation, with divers instructed to avoid contact with coral reefs and marine life, and the flag was removed after documentation to prevent ecological impact.

    The site near Radhanagar Beach was selected due to its clear water visibility, typically ranging between 10 and 15 metres, stable seabed conditions suitable for anchoring, and relatively controlled current patterns compared to deeper open-sea zones, while weather conditions were monitored to ensure minimal surface disturbance that could affect underwater stability. The operation, while symbolic in intent, required detailed planning and execution comparable to complex marine exercises, marking a technical milestone in coordinated underwater activity and extending India’s national representation into a controlled underwater environment.

    The exercise was carried out not only to set a global record but also to strengthen India’s visibility in adventure tourism, encourage scuba diving as a structured activity, and highlight the ecological and geographical significance of the Andaman Sea region. It further aimed to demonstrate coordinated underwater operational capability while reinforcing national identity in unconventional spaces, extending the presence of the Tiranga beyond traditional terrains into a carefully managed marine environment.