Traffic Signs in India: Mandatory, Cautionary & Informatory List

Traffic signs in India are standardized by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) and are critical for maintaining order and safety on the roads. Ignoring them can lead to legal penalties (challans) and severe accidents.

These signs are broadly classified into three categories based on their function: Mandatory, Cautionary, and Informatory.

1. Mandatory / Regulatory Signs

• Shape: Circular (mostly)
• Color: Red border with a white background (mostly), or Blue background.
• Function: These signs impose legal obligations. You must obey them. Violation of these signs is a punishable offense under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Crucial Mandatory Signs:

• Stop: A red octagon (8-sided) sign. It requires the driver to bring the vehicle to a complete halt before proceeding. It is often placed at dangerous intersections.
• Give Way: An inverted red triangle. It indicates you must yield to traffic on the main road before entering.
• No Entry: A circle with a red border and a cross through it (or a red circle with a white horizontal bar). It prohibits all vehicles from entering a specific zone.
• Speed Limit: A number inside a red circle (e.g., “40” or “60”). This is the maximum legal speed in km/h for that stretch of road.
• One Way: A red circle with an arrow crossed out, indicating traffic moves in only one direction.
• No Parking / No Stopping: A blue circle with a red border and one (No Parking) or two (No Stopping) diagonal red lines.
• Compulsory Turn/Ahead: Blue circular signs with white arrows. These dictate the only direction you are allowed to move (e.g., “Compulsory Turn Left”).

2. Cautionary / Warning Signs

• Shape: Triangular (Upward pointing)
• Color: Red border with a white background and black symbols.
• Function: These signs warn drivers of potential hazards ahead. They are advisory but critical for safety.

Important Cautionary Signs:

• Right/Left Hand Curve: Warns of a turn ahead. “Hairpin Bend” signs indicate a very sharp, U-shaped turn, common in hill stations.
• School Ahead: Depicts a student running. Drivers must slow down and watch for children.
• Narrow Bridge: Indicates the road narrows significantly ahead to cross a bridge.
• Pedestrian Crossing: Warns that people may be crossing the road; drivers should slow down and yield.
• Men at Work: Warns of construction or road repairs ahead.
• Slippery Road: Indicates the road surface may lack traction (e.g., due to oil or rain).
• Falling Rocks: Common in mountainous regions (like the Himalayas), warning of landslide-prone areas.

3. Informatory / Guide Signs

• Shape: Rectangular or Square
• Color: Blue (for facilities) or Green (for destinations).
• Function: These signs provide direction, destination, and facility information to help drivers navigate.

Common Informatory Signs:

• Hospital: A blue square with a bed and a red cross.
• First Aid Post: A blue square with a white first aid cross.
• Petrol Pump: Indicates a fuel station ahead.
• Parking: A blue square with a large white “P”. It may have arrows or vehicle symbols (e.g., P with a car symbol) indicating allowed parking.
• Destination Signs: Green boards with white text indicating the direction and distance (in km) to cities or towns.

Summary Table: How to Identify Signs

Note: The “Stop” (Octagon) and “Give Way” (Inverted Triangle) signs are the only two exceptions to the standard shapes, making them instantly recognizable even from the back.