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Indian Army ranks and insignia

The Indian Army, the land component of the Indian Armed Forces, follows a certain hierarchy of rank designations and insignia derived from the erstwhile British Indian Army (BIA).[1]

Equivalent ranks of Indian military
Indian Navy Indian Army Indian Air Force
Commissioned ranks
Admiral of
the fleet
Field marshal Marshal of
the Indian Air Force
Admiral General Air chief marshal
Vice admiral Lieutenant general Air marshal
Rear admiral Major general Air vice marshal
Commodore Brigadier Air commodore
Captain Colonel Group captain
Commander Lieutenant colonel Wing commander
Lieutenant commander Major Squadron leader
Lieutenant Captain Flight lieutenant
Sub lieutenant Lieutenant Flying officer
Junior commissioned ranks
Master chief
petty officer
1st class
Subedar major[Alt 1] Master warrant officer
Master chief
petty officer
2nd class
Subedar[Alt 2] Warrant officer
Chief
petty officer
Naib subedar[Alt 3] Junior warrant officer
Non-commissioned ranks
Petty officer Havildar Sergeant
Leading seaman Naik Corporal
Seaman 1 Lance naik Leading aircraftsman
Seaman 2 Sepoy Aircraftsman
Footnotes
  1. ^ Risaldar major in cavalry and armoured regiments
  2. ^ Risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments
  3. ^ Naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments.
    Called jemadar until 1965.

History edit

 
The Indian Army Ensign.

1947-1950 edit

Upon the establishment of establishment of India's independence in 1947, the country became a dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations; nevertheless, the armed forces, namely, the British Indian Army (IA), the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) and the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) - under the helm of King George VI as the Commander-in-Chief - retained their respective pre-independence ranks and corresponding insignia.[2] In the Army's case, the service retained its pre-independence insignia, comprising the Tudor Crown and four-pointed Bath Star, called the pip.

1950-present edit

In May 1949, Lord Mountbatten, the inaugural Governor-General of India, dispatched a note to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, titled Names and Insignia of Indian Armed Forces, containing a list of suggestions regarding the nomenclature of the armed forces that were to be enforced upon the dominion's conversion to a republic.[3] In the note, Mountbatten proposed that the Tudor Crown, worn on the epaulettes of ranks of Majors and above should be replaced by the Lion Capital of Ashoka and that the pip should be replaced by the Star of India or another form of star.[3]

In September 1949, Nehru forwarded the proposals to the country's minister of defence, Baldev Singh, recommending Mountbatten's suggestions, which were consequently enforced upon India's emergence as a republic on 26 January 1950.[3][4][2] Simultaneously, the King's Commission, which was granted to commissioned Indian officers of the BIA was also changed to Indian Commission on the same date; and at a subsequent date the King's Colours of the various armed regiments were laid to rest at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.[3]

Structure edit

Presently, the Army's rank hierarchy is divided into three broad categories:[5]
Group-A: Commissioned Officers (Officers)
Group-B: Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO)
Other: Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO)

Commissioned Officers edit

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
  Indian Army[6]
                    No insignia
Field marshal
फील्ड मार्शल
General
जनरल
Lieutenant general
लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल
Major general
मेजर जनरल
Brigadier
ब्रिगेडियर
Colonel
कर्नल
Lieutenant colonel
लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल
Major
मेजर
Captain
कैप्टन
Lieutenant
लेफ्टिनेंट
Officer cadet

The Army has ten commissioned officer (officer) ranks, which are designated as Group-A service ranks and are equivalent to the All India Services.[1]

The highest attainable rank in the Army's officer cadre is that of the Field Marshal, a ceremonial five-star rank immediately superior the four-star rank of General.[5] It is awarded exclusively to deemed recipients for recognition of exceptional service and leadership during wartime; however, it does not feature in the Army's organizational structure.[5] In the Army's history, only two four-star officers have ever been promoted to the rank: Gen. S. H. F. J. Sam Manekshaw in 1973 and Gen. K. M. Cariappa in 1986.[1] Recipients are considered to be serving officers until their death.[7]

The highest operational rank is General, which is held exclusively by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).[1] The first Indian to be promoted to the rank was then-Lt. Gen. K. M. Cariappa, following his appointment as the second Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Army in January 1949.[8]

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a rotational position deemed the highest uniformed designation-cum-professional head of the armed forces, is also held by four-star officer drawn from the Army, IN and IAF.[9] However, CDS appointees do not wear the corresponding insignia of their respective service, but are rather allotted a unique insignia independent of that service's rank hierarchy: a crimson-colored epaulette, adorned with the tri-service emblem of the armed forces.[10] As of 2024, only two four-star officers from the Army have been appointed to the position.[11]

Junior commissioned officer and non-commissioned ranks edit

Rank group Junior commissioned officers Non commissioned officer Enlisted
  Indian Army[6]
            No insignia
Subedar-major
सूबेदार मेजर
Subedar
सूबेदार
Naib subedar
नायब सूबेदार
Havildar
हवलदार
Naik
नायक
Lance naik
लांस नायक
Sepoy
सिपाही
Cavalry ranks Risaldar Major
रिसालदार मेजर
Risaldar
रिसालदार
Naib Risaldar
नायब रिसालदार
Daffadar
दफादार
Lance Daffadar
लांस दफादार
Acting Lance Daffadar
एक्टिंग लांस दफादार
Sowar
सवार

Former ranks edit

Former/Discontinued Ranks
Officers Non-commissioned officers
Shoulder
Insignia
  Arm        
Rank Second
Lieutenant
Regimental
Havildar
Major
Regimental
Quartermaster
Havildar
Company
Havildar
Major
Company
Quartermaster
Havildar

The rank of Second Lieutenant is no longer in use; all new officers are commissioned as Lieutenants.

The appointments of Regimental Quartermaster Havildar and Regimental Havildar Major are no longer used in the Indian Army (except for the Regiment of Artillery and Army Air Defence) and those duties are now performed by JCOs.[12][13][14]

Notable holders include 2Lt. Arun Khetarpal, 2Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane, CHM Piru Singh Shekhawat and CQMH Abdul Hamid.

Rank descriptions edit

  • Indian Army Ranks can be classified into three categories.
    • Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to All India Services & Group "A" Service officers.[15]
    • Junior Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to Group B Gazetted officers.[16]
    • Other Ranks comprising non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

Commissioned officers edit

 
Equivalent ranks of Indian Armed Forces (click to enlarge)

Commissioned officers are the leaders of the army and command anywhere from Platoon, Company, Battalion, Brigade, Division, Corps and the whole army.

At the time of joining, all Indian Army officers are inducted as officer cadets. The rank of officer cadet is denoted by an officer's uniform with no insignia.

Indian Army officers are continually put through different courses and assessed on merit throughout their career, for promotions and appointments. Substantive promotions up to Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent (subject to clearance of Part B and Part D exam for Major and Lieutenant Colonel)[17][18] and are based on time in service whereas those for Colonel and above are based on selection, with promotion to Colonel also based on time served. Due to steep hierarchy and few vacancies, most of the officers retire at the rank of Colonel and only a few make it to the rank of Brigadier and above.[19][20][21] Civilian equivalents are in accordance with government policies on functional allocation of duties in staff billets, otherwise the rank structure of the armed forces is different from the civilian with regard to years of service and vacancies available.[citation needed]

Indian Army officers undergo various courses such as Young Officers Course, Junior Command Course, Defence Services Staff College course at DSSC Wellington, Management Development Programme: Senior Defence Management Course, Higher Defence Management Course at the College of Defence Management (Secunderabad), Higher Command Courses, NDC courses at various premier institutions of Armed Forces for promotions. The same is applicable to officers other two services namely Indian Navy and Indian Air Force

Dress insignia are in Gold/Black/Silver based on regiments of the officers commissioned

Rank Epaulette Insignia Description Appointments Superannuation Age/Tenure Rank flag
Field marshal
(FM)
 
Five-star rank
Awarded exclusively in recognition of exceptional service and leadership during wartime.
Ceremonial, not included in Army organizational hierarchy.
Appointed by order of the Government of India
* S. H. F. J. Manekshaw - Promoted 1973
* K. M. Cariappa - Promoted 1986
Recipients are considered serving officers unto the date of demise.[5]  
General
(Gen)
 
Four-star rank
Highest ranking flag rank/active-duty officer in Army organizational hierarchy.[1]
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
(Only if appointee is an Army flag officer)[22]
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)
CDS: 65 (or) 3 years of service; whichever is earlier.[5]
COAS: 62 (or) 3 years of service; whichever is earlier.
 
(COAS)
Lieutenant general
(Lt Gen)
 
Three-star rank
Second-highest flag rank in Army organizational hierarchy.[1]
Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) (Only if appointee is an Army flag officer)

Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS)
Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (DCOAS)
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief - (GOC-in-C)
Corps Commanders
General Staff
Heads of other directorates.

60  
(VCOAS)
 
(DCOAS)
Major general
(Maj Gen)
 
Two-star rank
Third-highest flag rank in Army organizational hierarchy.[1]
General Officer Commanding -

(GOC)[23]
Additional Director General[23] Commandants[23]

58  
Brigadier
(Brig)
 
One-star rank
Fourth-highest flag rank in Army organizational hierarchy.[1]
Brigade Commander
Brigade General Staff (BGS)
Deputy Director Generals of directorates
Diplomatic military attaché[24]
56  
Colonel
(Col)
 
(-) Colonel General Staff (Col GS)
Directors[25]
54 (-)
Lieutenant colonel
(Lt Col)
 
(-) CO of battalion/equivalent unit (Infantry, Artillery, Armored), appointment varies by corps/regiments[26] NA (-)
Major
(Maj)
 
(-) Company/equivalent unit commander, appointment varies by corps/regiments[27] NA (-)
Captain
(Capt)
 
(-) Varies by corps/regiments[28] NA (-)
Lieutenant
(Lt)
 
(-) Varies by corps/regiments[29] NA (-)
Officer Cadet (GC/LC) IMA tag Professional training at National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA).[30] Gentleman Cadet (GC)
Lady Cadet (LC)[30]
NA (-)

In the Indian Army, officer cadets are known as Gentlemen Cadets or Lady Cadets. Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) join the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA)/Officer's Training Academy (OTA) after going through the Service Selection Board (S.S.B.) interview. Gentlemen Cadets undergo a pre-commission training programme at NDA,IMA/OTA, which is equally divided into terms.

Junior commissioned officers edit

Junior commissioned officers are promoted from non-commissioned officers and are broadly equivalent to warrant officers in the British Army. Senior non-commissioned officers are promoted to JCO rank on the basis of merit and seniority, restricted by the number of vacancies. In between the Commissioned Officer and the NCOs lies the Junior Commissioned Officers. They are treated with great respect as they have a minimum of 28 yrs and over service and are referred to as Sahab by all ranks.[31]

The current living recipients of the Param Veer Chakra are all from JCO ranks namely Bana Singh Retd, Sanjay Kumar, and Yogendra Singh Yadav.[32]

JCOs are entrusted with supervisory roles and the three JCO ranks are Subedar Major, Subedar and Naib Subedar. JCOs are equivalent in status to Group B (Gazetted) of Government of India.[33]

Junior commissioned officers are treated as a separate class and hold many additional privileges. In the army, they have a separate mess (the JCO's mess), get well-furnished family quarters, and are authorized to travel in AC II-tier on the railways.[34]

Ranks and abbreviations Description Insignia Retirement Age
Infantry and other arms Cavalry and Armour
Subedar Major (Sub Maj) Risaldar Major (Ris Maj) Golden national emblem with stripe
 
After 34 years service or at the age of 54, whichever is sooner.[35]
Subedar (Sub) Risaldar (Ris) Two golden stars with stripe
 
After 30 years service or at the age of 52, whichever is sooner.[35]
Naib Subedar (Nb Sub) Naib Risaldar (Nb Ris) One golden star with stripe
 
After 28 years service or at the age of 52, whichever is sooner.[35]

JCOs are currently enrolled as jawans and few of them get promoted to officers over a period of time-based on their performance and on their ability to clear promotion examinations. A few JCOs are directly enrolled as religious teachers and in certain technical arms such as the Corps of Engineers. As of 2021, the Indian Army is discussing a proposal to directly enrol Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) in all arms of the service to address the shortage of commissioned officers. According to the proposal, the Indian Army will directly induct JCOs who have cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. The UPSC will conduct an entrance examination, which would be followed by an SSB interview and a medical examination. Selected candidates would then be trained for one and a half years before joining the units as JCOs. Subsequently, they would be promoted to officers up to the rank of Colonels based on their length of service and qualifications.[36]

Other ranks edit

Other ranks in the Indian Army include Non-Commissioned Officers ("NCOs") and Soldiers ("sepoys" or "jawans")

Non commissioned officers edit

Non-Commissioned Officers ("NCOs") are soldiers promoted to positions of responsibility and are equivalent to junior non-commissioned officers (sergeants and corporals) in Western armies.

Ranks and abbreviations Description Insignia Retirement Age
Infantry and other arms Cavalry and armour
Havildar (Hav) Daffadar (Dfr) Three rank chevrons
 
After 26 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is sooner.[35]
Naik (Nk) Lance Daffadar (L/Dfr) Two rank chevrons
 
After 23 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is sooner.[35]
Lance Naik (L/Nk) Acting Lance Daffadar (ALD) Single rank chevron
 
After 19 years service or at the age of 48, whichever is sooner.[35]

Soldiers edit

Ranks Insignia Retirement Age
Infantry and other arms Cavalry and armour
Sepoy Sowar No insignia After 15 years, 56 Days service or at the age of 42, whichever is sooner.[35]

A sepoy is a rank equivalent to Private in most Commonwealth armies. Many regiments and corps use other distinctive and descriptive names instead of sepoys. These distinctive equivalents for Sepoy include:

Honorary ranks edit

Brevet edit

Honorary ranks and honour, also called brevet, are granted in the Indian Army, and its branches such as India Territorial Army (TA), for various reasons. These ranks may not entitle the rank holder to pay, pension, or perks (e.g. ranks given to celebrities).

Retiring Soldiers edit

Since the time of the British raj,[37] exemplary soldiers who are about to retire are given honorary ranks, usually a few days before their retirement, although these ranks can be granted at any time. Examples include the grant of the rank of Field Marshal, which is rarely granted. Most frequently, honorary ranks that are granted are those of junior commissioned officers, which are granted 1 or 2 weeks before retirement.

Prominent citizens as brand ambassadors edit

In order to inspire Indian youths to join the Indian Army, and to acknowledge contribution towards the nation, honorary ranks are awarded to the accomplished and eminent personalities who act as brand ambassadors for the defence forces. The following were awarded honorary titles:[38]

Foreign trainees of India's military academies edit

Trainees of foreign nations who are trained by the military academies of India, such as the National Defence Academy (NDA) or the Indian Military Academy (IMA), are sometimes awarded honorary ranks in the Indian Army. The trainees are usually from friendly armies, such as the Singapore Army.

Reciprocal awarding of honorary ranks to other nations edit

Nepal edit

Since 1950, when former Indian Army Chief General K. M. Cariappa visited Nepal, awarding the highest reciprocal honorary ranks to the newly appointed serving chiefs of each other's armies is a practice followed by India and Nepal. For example, in 2009 the newly appointed Nepal Army Chief General Chhatra Man Singh Gurung was decorated with the honorary rank of General of the Indian army at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi by the President of India who is also the Supreme Commander of Indian Army. Similarly, in 2010 the newly appointed Indian Army Chief General V. K. Singh was awarded the honorary rank of General of Nepal Army at Shital Niwas in Kathmandu by the President of Nepal who is also the Supreme Commander of Nepal Army.[40]

British Colonial era: Indian Army ranks to British Army edit

Some members of the ruling families of Princely states were given ceremonial honorary ranks during the colonial era.[37]

An 1832 journal reports that during the colonial British raj era, the Commander-in-Chief of British Army (ex officio role of the serving Monarch of Britain) promulgated an order directing that the Lieutenant Colonel of H.M. (Royal British Army) can not be superseded by the East India Company's Indian Army's Lieutenant Colonel. Whenever an Indian Army's Lieutenant Colonel was promoted to Colonel, all the British Army's Lieutenant Colonels who were deployed with the Indian Army and had the equal date and rank with the newly appointed Colonel of Indian Army were also mandatorily given the local Indian Army's honorary rank of Colonel from the date of his Lieutenant Colonelcy with British Army. This unfair system preserved the fictional equivalency of British Army officers with Indian Army officers while denying the officers of the Indian Army their hard-earned honours and ranks within their peculiar service. This was not a reciprocal system, i.e. Lieutenant Colonel of East India Company (EIC) (Indian Army) were not promoted to Colonels rank when a British Army Lieutenant Colonel of equal date and rank was promoted to Colonel's rank in Indian army. For example, when a ranked Lieutenant Colonel of Bengal Presidency's Indian Army was promoted to Colonel he was ranked 34th on the general list, he superseded 33 other Lieutenant Colonels of Indian Army, along with him all of the British Army's Lieutenant Colonel serving with the Bengal Presidency were also given the honorary rank of Colonel of Bengal Presidency and they superseded 33 Lieutenant Colonels of Indian Army who were their seniors. The army officers of EIC appealed against this derogatory and non-reciprocal system in EIC's Court of Directors. EIC directors had no authority to revoke or amend the order issued by the British monarch.[41]

Retired officers: form of address edit

On 21 July 2014, the Indian Army issued a circular for retired personnel informing them that the correct form of addressing a retired officer is "Brigadier ABC (Retd) and not Brigadier (Retd) ABC",[42] the correct example is "Brigadier Sant Singh (Retd)". The stated rationale of army was, "Rank never retires, it is an officer who retires."[42] This form of address applies to both living and deceased officers.[42]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Army Ranks and its Insignia: Commissioned Officers, JCOs and NCOs". www.careerpower.in.
  2. ^ a b Chhina, Man Aman Singh (2 September 2022). "Explained: How India adopted its military flags and badges based on Lord Mountbatten's suggestions". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "How India adopted its military flags and badges based on Lord Mountbatten's suggestions". optimizeias.com.
  4. ^ "New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Rank for Indian Army". atharvafoundation.in.
  6. ^ a b "Indian Army Rank Badges". indianarmy.nic.in. Indian Army. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Gaurav Arya's Claims About Army, Sam Manekshaw's Pensions Are Fake". www.thequint.com. 1 July 2020.
  8. ^ "CARIAPPA TO BE FULL GENERAL" (PDF). archive.pib.gov.in. 14 January 1949. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  9. ^ "India to now get chief of defence staff, will be a 4-star general". The Times of India. 25 December 2019.
  10. ^ "A sneak peek of CDS uniform, insignia". The Economic Times. 1 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Lt General Anil Chauhan (retd) is India's 2nd Chief of Defence Staff". India Today. 28 September 2022.
  12. ^ Personnel Services Directorate. "Psdte311212" (PDF). Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  13. ^ . Indian Army. 2014. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  14. ^ Kumar, M. K. Sunil (16 May 2012). . The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  15. ^ Singh, Navdeep. "Clarification on the nature of 'Group-A' services". India Military Info. India Military Info. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  16. ^ "JCOs are Gazetted". The Times of India.
  17. ^ . Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  18. ^ India, USI. "PROSPECTUS". USI. USI of India. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  19. ^ Government of India (4 November 2008). "MoD Letter No. 1/55/2008 D(Pay/Services)—Terms and Conditions of Service" (PDF). Indian Army. Government of India, Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  20. ^ Tirkey, Ajay (30 August 2008). (PDF). The Gazette of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  21. ^ "NCC Spl entry Scheme" (PDF). joinindianarmy.nic.in. Indian Army. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  22. ^ "Cabinet approves creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of four star General". pib.gov.in. 24 December 2019.
  23. ^ a b c "Structure of the Indian Army". unacademy.com.
  24. ^ "Duty of a Brigadier in the Indian Army [Full Details]". ssbcrackexams.com.
  25. ^ "Structure of Indian Army". Centre for Defence Careers.
  26. ^ "Lieutenant Colonel Salary: Get Complete Details On Salary, Perks And Job Profile". testbook.com.
  27. ^ "Duties of a Major in the Indian Army [Full Details]". ssbcrackexams.com.
  28. ^ "Role And Responsibilities Of A Captain In The Indian Army". blog.cadetspointdefenceacademy.com.
  29. ^ "Power and Duty of a Lieutenant in the Indian Army". www.ssbcrack.com.
  30. ^ a b "JOINING INSTRUCTIONS OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY, CHENNAI" (PDF). joinindianarmy.nic.in.
  31. ^ "The indomitable Subedar Major". The Tribune.
  32. ^ "3 Living Legends Of Indian Army – Param Veer Chakra Winners". SSB Crack. ssbcrack.com.
  33. ^ "Army corrects JCO status after 6 years". DNA.
  34. ^ "Benefits, and challenges military personnel and their families face".
  35. ^ a b c d e f g "Report of the Seventh Central Pay Commission" (PDF). Government of India. November 2015. pp. 397–398. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  36. ^ "Indian Army to recruit 14000 JCOs Soon". Jagran Prakashan Ltd. Jagran Prakashan Ltd.
  37. ^ a b Sharma, Gautam (1996). Nationalisation of the Indian Army, 1885-1947. p. 11.
  38. ^ a b c d e f Kumar, Anshika. "10 Celebrities with Military Ranks that motivate Youth to Join the Indian defence Forces". IndianYouth.net.
  39. ^ "Mohanlal inducted into Territorial Army". NDTV. 9 July 2009.
  40. ^ "Army chief made honorary General of Nepal Army". Hindustan Times. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  41. ^ May-Aug 1832, The Asiatic journal and monthly register for British and foreign India, China, and Australasia, The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British India and its Dependencies, Parbury, Allen and Company, vol III, pp 66.
  42. ^ a b c Sura, Ajay (3 August 2014). "Rank never retires, officer does: Army". The Times of India. TNN. Retrieved 13 September 2015.

indian, army, ranks, insignia, indian, army, land, component, indian, armed, forces, follows, certain, hierarchy, rank, designations, insignia, derived, from, erstwhile, british, indian, army, equivalent, ranks, indian, military, indian, navy, indian, army, in. The Indian Army the land component of the Indian Armed Forces follows a certain hierarchy of rank designations and insignia derived from the erstwhile British Indian Army BIA 1 Equivalent ranks of Indian military Indian Navy Indian Army Indian Air Force Commissioned ranks Admiral ofthe fleet Field marshal Marshal ofthe Indian Air Force Admiral General Air chief marshal Vice admiral Lieutenant general Air marshal Rear admiral Major general Air vice marshal Commodore Brigadier Air commodore Captain Colonel Group captain Commander Lieutenant colonel Wing commander Lieutenant commander Major Squadron leader Lieutenant Captain Flight lieutenant Sub lieutenant Lieutenant Flying officer Junior commissioned ranks Master chiefpetty officer1st class Subedar major Alt 1 Master warrant officer Master chiefpetty officer2nd class Subedar Alt 2 Warrant officer Chiefpetty officer Naib subedar Alt 3 Junior warrant officer Non commissioned ranks Petty officer Havildar Sergeant Leading seaman Naik Corporal Seaman 1 Lance naik Leading aircraftsman Seaman 2 Sepoy Aircraftsman Footnotes Risaldar major in cavalry and armoured regiments Risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments Naib risaldar in cavalry and armoured regiments Called jemadar until 1965 Contents 1 History 1 1 1947 1950 1 2 1950 present 2 Structure 2 1 Commissioned Officers 2 2 Junior commissioned officer and non commissioned ranks 3 Former ranks 4 Rank descriptions 4 1 Commissioned officers 4 2 Junior commissioned officers 4 3 Other ranks 4 3 1 Non commissioned officers 4 3 2 Soldiers 5 Honorary ranks 5 1 Brevet 5 1 1 Retiring Soldiers 5 1 2 Prominent citizens as brand ambassadors 5 1 3 Foreign trainees of India s military academies 5 2 Reciprocal awarding of honorary ranks to other nations 5 2 1 Nepal 5 2 2 British Colonial era Indian Army ranks to British Army 6 Retired officers form of address 7 See also 8 ReferencesHistory edit nbsp The Indian Army Ensign 1947 1950 edit Upon the establishment of establishment of India s independence in 1947 the country became a dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations nevertheless the armed forces namely the British Indian Army IA the Royal Indian Navy RIN and the Royal Indian Air Force RIAF under the helm of King George VI as the Commander in Chief retained their respective pre independence ranks and corresponding insignia 2 In the Army s case the service retained its pre independence insignia comprising the Tudor Crown and four pointed Bath Star called the pip 1950 present edit In May 1949 Lord Mountbatten the inaugural Governor General of India dispatched a note to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru titled Names and Insignia of Indian Armed Forces containing a list of suggestions regarding the nomenclature of the armed forces that were to be enforced upon the dominion s conversion to a republic 3 In the note Mountbatten proposed that the Tudor Crown worn on the epaulettes of ranks of Majors and above should be replaced by the Lion Capital of Ashoka and that the pip should be replaced by the Star of India or another form of star 3 In September 1949 Nehru forwarded the proposals to the country s minister of defence Baldev Singh recommending Mountbatten s suggestions which were consequently enforced upon India s emergence as a republic on 26 January 1950 3 4 2 Simultaneously the King s Commission which was granted to commissioned Indian officers of the BIA was also changed to Indian Commission on the same date and at a subsequent date the King s Colours of the various armed regiments were laid to rest at the Indian Military Academy IMA Dehradun 3 Structure editPresently the Army s rank hierarchy is divided into three broad categories 5 Group A Commissioned Officers Officers Group B Junior Commissioned Officers JCO Other Non Commissioned Officers NCO Commissioned Officers edit Rank group General flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet nbsp Indian Army 6 vte nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp No insignia Field marshalफ ल ड म र शल Generalजनरल Lieutenant generalल फ ट न ट जनरल Major generalम जर जनरल Brigadierब र ग ड यर Colonelकर नल Lieutenant colonelल फ ट न ट कर नल Majorम जर Captainक प टन Lieutenantल फ ट न ट Officer cadet The Army has ten commissioned officer officer ranks which are designated as Group A service ranks and are equivalent to the All India Services 1 The highest attainable rank in the Army s officer cadre is that of the Field Marshal a ceremonial five star rank immediately superior the four star rank of General 5 It is awarded exclusively to deemed recipients for recognition of exceptional service and leadership during wartime however it does not feature in the Army s organizational structure 5 In the Army s history only two four star officers have ever been promoted to the rank Gen S H F J Sam Manekshaw in 1973 and Gen K M Cariappa in 1986 1 Recipients are considered to be serving officers until their death 7 The highest operational rank is General which is held exclusively by the Chief of the Army Staff COAS 1 The first Indian to be promoted to the rank was then Lt Gen K M Cariappa following his appointment as the second Commander in Chief C in C of the Army in January 1949 8 The Chief of Defence Staff CDS a rotational position deemed the highest uniformed designation cum professional head of the armed forces is also held by four star officer drawn from the Army IN and IAF 9 However CDS appointees do not wear the corresponding insignia of their respective service but are rather allotted a unique insignia independent of that service s rank hierarchy a crimson colored epaulette adorned with the tri service emblem of the armed forces 10 As of 2024 only two four star officers from the Army have been appointed to the position 11 Junior commissioned officer and non commissioned ranks edit Rank group Junior commissioned officers Non commissioned officer Enlisted nbsp Indian Army 6 vte nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp No insignia Subedar majorस ब द र म जर Subedarस ब द र Naib subedarन यब स ब द र Havildarहवलद र Naikन यक Lance naikल स न यक Sepoyस प ह Cavalry ranks Risaldar Majorर स लद र म जर Risaldarर स लद र Naib Risaldarन यब र स लद र Daffadarदफ द र Lance Daffadarल स दफ द र Acting Lance Daffadarएक ट ग ल स दफ द र Sowarसव र The title Risaldar replaces Subedar in ranks in cavalry armored regiments Remount Veterinary Corps and animal transport battalions of Army Service Corps Naib Risaldar was called Jemadar until 1965 Daffadar Lance Daffadar and Acting Lance Daffadar these ranks replace the titles of Havildar Naik and Lance Naik in cavalry armored regiments Remount Veterinary Corps and animal transport battalions of Army Service Corps Sowar replaces the rank Sepoy in cavalry armored regiments Remount Veterinary Corps and animal transport battalions of Army Service Corps Former ranks editFormer Discontinued Ranks Officers Non commissioned officers ShoulderInsignia nbsp Arm nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Rank SecondLieutenant RegimentalHavildarMajor RegimentalQuartermasterHavildar CompanyHavildarMajor CompanyQuartermasterHavildar The rank of Second Lieutenant is no longer in use all new officers are commissioned as Lieutenants The appointments of Regimental Quartermaster Havildar and Regimental Havildar Major are no longer used in the Indian Army except for the Regiment of Artillery and Army Air Defence and those duties are now performed by JCOs 12 13 14 Notable holders include 2Lt Arun Khetarpal 2Lt Rama Raghoba Rane CHM Piru Singh Shekhawat and CQMH Abdul Hamid Rank descriptions editIndian Army Ranks can be classified into three categories Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to All India Services amp Group A Service officers 15 Junior Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to Group B Gazetted officers 16 Other Ranks comprising non commissioned officers and soldiers Commissioned officers edit nbsp Equivalent ranks of Indian Armed Forces click to enlarge Commissioned officers are the leaders of the army and command anywhere from Platoon Company Battalion Brigade Division Corps and the whole army At the time of joining all Indian Army officers are inducted as officer cadets The rank of officer cadet is denoted by an officer s uniform with no insignia Indian Army officers are continually put through different courses and assessed on merit throughout their career for promotions and appointments Substantive promotions up to Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent subject to clearance of Part B and Part D exam for Major and Lieutenant Colonel 17 18 and are based on time in service whereas those for Colonel and above are based on selection with promotion to Colonel also based on time served Due to steep hierarchy and few vacancies most of the officers retire at the rank of Colonel and only a few make it to the rank of Brigadier and above 19 20 21 Civilian equivalents are in accordance with government policies on functional allocation of duties in staff billets otherwise the rank structure of the armed forces is different from the civilian with regard to years of service and vacancies available citation needed Indian Army officers undergo various courses such as Young Officers Course Junior Command Course Defence Services Staff College course at DSSC Wellington Management Development Programme Senior Defence Management Course Higher Defence Management Course at the College of Defence Management Secunderabad Higher Command Courses NDC courses at various premier institutions of Armed Forces for promotions The same is applicable to officers other two services namely Indian Navy and Indian Air ForceDress insignia are in Gold Black Silver based on regiments of the officers commissioned Rank Epaulette Insignia Description Appointments Superannuation Age Tenure Rank flag Field marshal FM nbsp Five star rankAwarded exclusively in recognition of exceptional service and leadership during wartime Ceremonial not included in Army organizational hierarchy Appointed by order of the Government of India S H F J Manekshaw Promoted 1973 K M Cariappa Promoted 1986 Recipients are considered serving officers unto the date of demise 5 nbsp General Gen nbsp Four star rankHighest ranking flag rank active duty officer in Army organizational hierarchy 1 Chief of Defence Staff CDS Only if appointee is an Army flag officer 22 Chief of the Army Staff COAS CDS 65 or 3 years of service whichever is earlier 5 COAS 62 or 3 years of service whichever is earlier nbsp COAS Lieutenant general Lt Gen nbsp Three star rankSecond highest flag rank in Army organizational hierarchy 1 Chief of Integrated Defence Staff CISC Only if appointee is an Army flag officer Vice Chief of the Army Staff VCOAS Deputy Chief of the Army Staff DCOAS General Officer Commanding in Chief GOC in C Corps Commanders General Staff Heads of other directorates 60 nbsp VCOAS nbsp DCOAS Major general Maj Gen nbsp Two star rankThird highest flag rank in Army organizational hierarchy 1 General Officer Commanding GOC 23 Additional Director General 23 Commandants 23 58 nbsp Brigadier Brig nbsp One star rankFourth highest flag rank in Army organizational hierarchy 1 Brigade CommanderBrigade General Staff BGS Deputy Director Generals of directoratesDiplomatic military attache 24 56 nbsp Colonel Col nbsp Colonel General Staff Col GS Directors 25 54 Lieutenant colonel Lt Col nbsp CO of battalion equivalent unit Infantry Artillery Armored appointment varies by corps regiments 26 NA Major Maj nbsp Company equivalent unit commander appointment varies by corps regiments 27 NA Captain Capt nbsp Varies by corps regiments 28 NA Lieutenant Lt nbsp Varies by corps regiments 29 NA Officer Cadet GC LC IMA tag Professional training at National Defence Academy NDA Indian Military Academy IMA Officers Training Academy OTA 30 Gentleman Cadet GC Lady Cadet LC 30 NA In the Indian Army officer cadets are known as Gentlemen Cadets or Lady Cadets Gentlemen Cadets GCs join the National Defence Academy NDA Indian Military Academy IMA Officer s Training Academy OTA after going through the Service Selection Board S S B interview Gentlemen Cadets undergo a pre commission training programme at NDA IMA OTA which is equally divided into terms Junior commissioned officers edit Junior commissioned officers are promoted from non commissioned officers and are broadly equivalent to warrant officers in the British Army Senior non commissioned officers are promoted to JCO rank on the basis of merit and seniority restricted by the number of vacancies In between the Commissioned Officer and the NCOs lies the Junior Commissioned Officers They are treated with great respect as they have a minimum of 28 yrs and over service and are referred to as Sahab by all ranks 31 The current living recipients of the Param Veer Chakra are all from JCO ranks namely Bana Singh Retd Sanjay Kumar and Yogendra Singh Yadav 32 JCOs are entrusted with supervisory roles and the three JCO ranks are Subedar Major Subedar and Naib Subedar JCOs are equivalent in status to Group B Gazetted of Government of India 33 Junior commissioned officers are treated as a separate class and hold many additional privileges In the army they have a separate mess the JCO s mess get well furnished family quarters and are authorized to travel in AC II tier on the railways 34 Ranks and abbreviations Description Insignia Retirement Age Infantry and other arms Cavalry and Armour Subedar Major Sub Maj Risaldar Major Ris Maj Golden national emblem with stripe nbsp After 34 years service or at the age of 54 whichever is sooner 35 Subedar Sub Risaldar Ris Two golden stars with stripe nbsp After 30 years service or at the age of 52 whichever is sooner 35 Naib Subedar Nb Sub Naib Risaldar Nb Ris One golden star with stripe nbsp After 28 years service or at the age of 52 whichever is sooner 35 JCOs are currently enrolled as jawans and few of them get promoted to officers over a period of time based on their performance and on their ability to clear promotion examinations A few JCOs are directly enrolled as religious teachers and in certain technical arms such as the Corps of Engineers As of 2021 the Indian Army is discussing a proposal to directly enrol Junior Commissioned Officers JCOs in all arms of the service to address the shortage of commissioned officers According to the proposal the Indian Army will directly induct JCOs who have cleared the Services Selection Board SSB interview The UPSC will conduct an entrance examination which would be followed by an SSB interview and a medical examination Selected candidates would then be trained for one and a half years before joining the units as JCOs Subsequently they would be promoted to officers up to the rank of Colonels based on their length of service and qualifications 36 Other ranks edit Other ranks in the Indian Army include Non Commissioned Officers NCOs and Soldiers sepoys or jawans Non commissioned officers edit Non Commissioned Officers NCOs are soldiers promoted to positions of responsibility and are equivalent to junior non commissioned officers sergeants and corporals in Western armies Ranks and abbreviations Description Insignia Retirement Age Infantry and other arms Cavalry and armour Havildar Hav Daffadar Dfr Three rank chevrons nbsp After 26 years service or at the age of 49 whichever is sooner 35 Naik Nk Lance Daffadar L Dfr Two rank chevrons nbsp After 23 years service or at the age of 49 whichever is sooner 35 Lance Naik L Nk Acting Lance Daffadar ALD Single rank chevron nbsp After 19 years service or at the age of 48 whichever is sooner 35 Soldiers edit Ranks Insignia Retirement Age Infantry and other arms Cavalry and armour Sepoy Sowar No insignia After 15 years 56 Days service or at the age of 42 whichever is sooner 35 A sepoy is a rank equivalent to Private in most Commonwealth armies Many regiments and corps use other distinctive and descriptive names instead of sepoys These distinctive equivalents for Sepoy include Corps Designation Abbreviation Regiment of Artillery and Army Air Defence Gunner Gnr Rifle regiments Rifleman Rfn Parachute Regiment Paratrooper Ptr Grenadiers Grenadier Gdr Brigade of the Guards Guardsman Gdsmn Corps of Engineers Sapper Spr Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers Craftsman Cfn Corps of Signals Signalman SigmnHonorary ranks editBrevet edit Honorary ranks and honour also called brevet are granted in the Indian Army and its branches such as India Territorial Army TA for various reasons These ranks may not entitle the rank holder to pay pension or perks e g ranks given to celebrities Retiring Soldiers edit Since the time of the British raj 37 exemplary soldiers who are about to retire are given honorary ranks usually a few days before their retirement although these ranks can be granted at any time Examples include the grant of the rank of Field Marshal which is rarely granted Most frequently honorary ranks that are granted are those of junior commissioned officers which are granted 1 or 2 weeks before retirement Prominent citizens as brand ambassadors edit In order to inspire Indian youths to join the Indian Army and to acknowledge contribution towards the nation honorary ranks are awarded to the accomplished and eminent personalities who act as brand ambassadors for the defence forces The following were awarded honorary titles 38 Indian Army s Territorial Army TA Kapil Dev 2008 Lieutenant Colonel TA cricketer 38 Mohanlal Viswanathan 2009 Lieutenant Colonel TA Madras Regiment Malayalam actor and filmmaker 38 39 Mahendra Singh Dhoni 2011 Lieutenant Colonel TA Para cricketer 38 Abhinav Bindra 2011 Lieutenant Colonel TA Sikh Regiment sport shooter and politician 38 Deepak Rao 2011 Major TA Para military trainer and author 38 Foreign trainees of India s military academies edit See also Strategic partners of India Trainees of foreign nations who are trained by the military academies of India such as the National Defence Academy NDA or the Indian Military Academy IMA are sometimes awarded honorary ranks in the Indian Army The trainees are usually from friendly armies such as the Singapore Army Reciprocal awarding of honorary ranks to other nations edit Nepal edit Since 1950 when former Indian Army Chief General K M Cariappa visited Nepal awarding the highest reciprocal honorary ranks to the newly appointed serving chiefs of each other s armies is a practice followed by India and Nepal For example in 2009 the newly appointed Nepal Army Chief General Chhatra Man Singh Gurung was decorated with the honorary rank of General of the Indian army at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi by the President of India who is also the Supreme Commander of Indian Army Similarly in 2010 the newly appointed Indian Army Chief General V K Singh was awarded the honorary rank of General of Nepal Army at Shital Niwas in Kathmandu by the President of Nepal who is also the Supreme Commander of Nepal Army 40 British Colonial era Indian Army ranks to British Army edit Some members of the ruling families of Princely states were given ceremonial honorary ranks during the colonial era 37 An 1832 journal reports that during the colonial British raj era the Commander in Chief of British Army ex officio role of the serving Monarch of Britain promulgated an order directing that the Lieutenant Colonel of H M Royal British Army can not be superseded by the East India Company s Indian Army s Lieutenant Colonel Whenever an Indian Army s Lieutenant Colonel was promoted to Colonel all the British Army s Lieutenant Colonels who were deployed with the Indian Army and had the equal date and rank with the newly appointed Colonel of Indian Army were also mandatorily given the local Indian Army s honorary rank of Colonel from the date of his Lieutenant Colonelcy with British Army This unfair system preserved the fictional equivalency of British Army officers with Indian Army officers while denying the officers of the Indian Army their hard earned honours and ranks within their peculiar service This was not a reciprocal system i e Lieutenant Colonel of East India Company EIC Indian Army were not promoted to Colonels rank when a British Army Lieutenant Colonel of equal date and rank was promoted to Colonel s rank in Indian army For example when a ranked Lieutenant Colonel of Bengal Presidency s Indian Army was promoted to Colonel he was ranked 34th on the general list he superseded 33 other Lieutenant Colonels of Indian Army along with him all of the British Army s Lieutenant Colonel serving with the Bengal Presidency were also given the honorary rank of Colonel of Bengal Presidency and they superseded 33 Lieutenant Colonels of Indian Army who were their seniors The army officers of EIC appealed against this derogatory and non reciprocal system in EIC s Court of Directors EIC directors had no authority to revoke or amend the order issued by the British monarch 41 Retired officers form of address editOn 21 July 2014 the Indian Army issued a circular for retired personnel informing them that the correct form of addressing a retired officer is Brigadier ABC Retd and not Brigadier Retd ABC 42 the correct example is Brigadier Sant Singh Retd The stated rationale of army was Rank never retires it is an officer who retires 42 This form of address applies to both living and deceased officers 42 See also editComparative military ranks Indian Air Force ranks and insignia Indian Navy ranks and insignia Coast Guard ranks and insignia of India Border Roads Organisation ranks and insignia of India Paramilitary forces ranks and insignia of India Police ranks and insignia of India Indian Army cap badgesReferences edit a b c d e f g h Army Ranks and its Insignia Commissioned Officers JCOs and NCOs www careerpower in a b Chhina Man Aman Singh 2 September 2022 Explained How India adopted its military flags and badges based on Lord Mountbatten s suggestions The Indian Express Retrieved 2 September 2022 a b c d How India adopted its military flags and badges based on Lord Mountbatten s suggestions optimizeias com New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services PDF Press Information Bureau of India Archive a b c d e Rank for Indian Army atharvafoundation in a b Indian Army Rank Badges indianarmy nic in Indian Army Retrieved 27 May 2021 Gaurav Arya s Claims About Army Sam Manekshaw s Pensions Are Fake www thequint com 1 July 2020 CARIAPPA TO BE FULL GENERAL PDF archive pib gov in 14 January 1949 Retrieved 13 January 2022 India to now get chief of defence staff will be a 4 star general The Times of India 25 December 2019 A sneak peek of CDS uniform insignia The Economic Times 1 January 2020 Lt General Anil Chauhan retd is India s 2nd Chief of Defence Staff India Today 28 September 2022 Personnel Services Directorate Psdte311212 PDF Retrieved 4 December 2015 DSR Volume I Chapter IV JCOs WOs OR AND NON COMBATANTS ENROLLED Indian Army 2014 Archived from the original on 9 November 2014 Retrieved 4 December 2015 Kumar M K Sunil 16 May 2012 Rules of the Raj hindering havildars promotion The New Indian Express Archived from the original on 5 September 2014 Retrieved 3 August 2015 Singh Navdeep Clarification on the nature of Group A services India Military Info India Military Info Retrieved 22 February 2018 JCOs are Gazetted The Times of India Army defers key annual promotion exam amid LoC tensions Hindustan Times Archived from the original on 23 February 2018 Retrieved 22 February 2018 India USI PROSPECTUS USI USI of India Retrieved 22 February 2018 Government of India 4 November 2008 MoD Letter No 1 55 2008 D Pay Services Terms and Conditions of Service PDF Indian Army Government of India Ministry of Defence Retrieved 4 December 2015 Tirkey Ajay 30 August 2008 Ministry of Defence Resolution Sixth Central Pay Commission PDF The Gazette of India Archived from the original PDF on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 4 December 2015 NCC Spl entry Scheme PDF joinindianarmy nic in Indian Army Retrieved 13 September 2015 Cabinet approves creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of four star General pib gov in 24 December 2019 a b c Structure of the Indian Army unacademy com Duty of a Brigadier in the Indian Army Full Details ssbcrackexams com Structure of Indian Army Centre for Defence Careers Lieutenant Colonel Salary Get Complete Details On Salary Perks And Job Profile testbook com Duties of a Major in the Indian Army Full Details ssbcrackexams com Role And Responsibilities Of A Captain In The Indian Army blog cadetspointdefenceacademy com Power and Duty of a Lieutenant in the Indian Army www ssbcrack com a b JOINING INSTRUCTIONS OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY CHENNAI PDF joinindianarmy nic in The indomitable Subedar Major The Tribune 3 Living Legends Of Indian Army Param Veer Chakra Winners SSB Crack ssbcrack com Army corrects JCO status after 6 years DNA Benefits and challenges military personnel and their families face a b c d e f g Report of the Seventh Central Pay Commission PDF Government of India November 2015 pp 397 398 Retrieved 4 April 2021 Indian Army to recruit 14000 JCOs Soon Jagran Prakashan Ltd Jagran Prakashan Ltd a b Sharma Gautam 1996 Nationalisation of the Indian Army 1885 1947 p 11 a b c d e f Kumar Anshika 10 Celebrities with Military Ranks that motivate Youth to Join the Indian defence Forces IndianYouth net Mohanlal inducted into Territorial Army NDTV 9 July 2009 Army chief made honorary General of Nepal Army Hindustan Times 22 December 2010 Retrieved 28 May 2020 May Aug 1832 The Asiatic journal and monthly register for British and foreign India China and Australasia The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British India and its Dependencies Parbury Allen and Company vol III pp 66 a b c Sura Ajay 3 August 2014 Rank never retires officer does Army The Times of India TNN Retrieved 13 September 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Indian Army ranks and insignia amp oldid 1209782225, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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