The state emblem has a red shield charged with a white two-headed bird, Gandabherunda bordered in blue.

The crest depicts the Lion Capital of Ashoka (also used as the emblem of the Government of India), on a blue circular abacus with a blue frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of a galloping horse on the left, a Dharmachakra in centre, a bull on the right, and the outlines of Dharmachakras on the extreme left and right as part of Sarnath's Ashoka Pillar.

The shield is flanked on either side by red-maned, yellow lion-elephant indicating the auspicious mythological character Gajakesari, a hybrid form of two wise and powerful animals Lion and Elephant - a mythical creature believed to be auspicious and indicate strength, authority, and intelligence.

A person having 'Gajakesari Yoga' in his astrology chart is believed to be conquering the world as per Hindu belief, same referring to a kingdom which justifies all characteristics of a conqueror standing on a green, leafy compartment.

Below the compartment lies written in stylized Devanāgarī, the national motto of India, "सत्यमेव जयते" (Satyameva Jayate, Sanskrit for "Truth alone triumphs").