Army ranks and insignia of India

The following tables present the ranks of the Indian Army. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western militaries, and in particular reflect those of the British and Commonwealth armies. Traditional names for ranks are still used, as well as Western names.

Video Army ranks and insignia of India

History

Until 26 January 1950, when India became a republic, the Indian Army utilised the British-pattern rank badges of the British Indian Army. Upon independence in 1947, India became a dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations, but the old rank insignia, incorporating the Tudor Crown and four-pointed Bath Star ("pip"), was retained, as George VI remained Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. After 26 January 1950, when India became a republic, the President of India became Commander-in-Chief, and the Ashoka Lion replaced the crown, with a five-pointed star being substituted for the "pip."

Maps Army ranks and insignia of India

Field marshal

India has a field marshal rank, but it is mostly ceremonial. There are no field marshals in the army organizational structure at present and it has been conferred on only two officers in the past, the late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and the late Field Marshal K M Cariappa.

Field marshals hold their rank for life, and are considered to be serving officers until their death. Unlike other officers, they do not draw a pension. A field marshal gets the full pay of a general equal to the Chief of the Army Staff. He wears full uniform on all official occasions and runs an office in army headquarters. He also has a dedicated secretariat of his own.

Ranks and Insignia

Current ranks

Ranks that are no longer in use

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 and those duties are now performed by JCOs.

Notable holders include Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid.

Rank descriptions

Commissioned officers

Commissioned officers are the leaders of the army and command anywhere from platoon/company to brigade, division, corps & the whole army.

Indian Army officers are continually put through different courses & assessed on merit throughout their career, for promotions and appointments. Substantive promotions up to lieutenant colonel or equivalent 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. 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.

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

Dress insignia are in Gold/Black based on regiments of the officers commissioned (outlined in red for those of two-star rank and higher) and in Silver/Gold for field insignia.

Junior commissioned officers

Junior commissioned officers are commissioned as officers from the ranks and are broadly equivalent to warrant officers in Western armies.

Other ranks

Other ranks in the Indian army include non-commissioned officers ("NCOs") and ordinary soldiers ("sepoys" or "jawans")

Non-commissioned officers

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.

Soldiers

Retired Officers: Form of Address

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". The reason for this was stated as being, "Rank never retires, it is an officer who retires."

See also

• Comparative military ranks
• Air Force ranks and insignia of India
• Naval ranks and insignia of India
• Police ranks and insignia of India

References

External links

• World Rank Insignia site