The Indian Army is one of the best organizations in the world. It is the third-largest army when it comes to worldwide ranking. With over 1,362,500 active troops and 2,100,000 reserve troops, it is the pride of India. Be it war or peace, the Indian Army serves the nation with dedication and sets the best example of patriotism.
Here is a breakdown of the ranks in the Indian Army. The listing is based on three different categories of personnels serving the Indian Army – Commissioned Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-commissioned personnel.
Indian Army Ranks
Ranks of Commissioned Officers of the Indian Army
1. Field Marshal
This is the highest attainable rank in the Indian Army. There are only two persons till date who took the position of Field Marshal. One of them was the very famous K.M Cariappa. The other was Sam Manekshaw.
Insignia – The Insignia of Field Marshal is the National emblem of India over a crossed baton and saber in a lotus blossom wreath.
Retirement age – There is no retirement for a Field Marshal. This is a lifelong service.
2. General
This is the next rank to the Field Marshal. It is one of the most prominent ranks in the Indian Army. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is the only one who can hold this rank.
Insignia – The Insignia of General is the National emblem of India over a five-pointed star, both over a crossed baton and saber
Retirement age – After 3 years as COAS or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier.
Current General of the Indian Army – General Bipin Rawat, COAS
3. Lieutenant General
The appointment of an Army Officer to the post of Lieutenant General is done through selection when the officer has served a period of 36 years of commissioned service. The Officer then holds the position of a Vice Chief of Army Staff or Army Commanders.
Insignia – The Insignia of a Lieutenant Generalis the National emblem of India over crossed baton and saber.
Retirement age – 60
Current Lieutenant General of the Indian Army – General Bipin Rawat
4. Major General
The selection of Major General is done after the officer completes 32 years of commissioned service.
Insignia – The Insignia of a Major General is Five-pointed star over crossed baton and saber
Retirement age – 58
5. Brigadier
The selection of Brigadiers is done after the officer completes 25 years of commissioned service.
Insignia – The Insignia of a Brigadier is the National emblem of India over three five-pointed stars in a triangular formation.
Retirement age – 56
6. Colonel
There are two ways of promoting a Colonel. They can be promoted by selection once they complete fifteen years of commissioned service. They can also be promoted (time-scale) after serving twenty-six years of commissioned service.
Insignia – The Insignia of a Colonel is the National emblem over two five-pointed stars.
Retirement age – 54
7. Lieutenant Colonel
Officers get a time pound promotion as Lieutenant Colonel after they complete thirteen years of commissioned service.
Insignia – The Insignia of a Lieutenant Colonel is the National emblem of India over five-pointed star.
Retirement age – NA
8. Major
Officers get a time pound promotion as Major after they complete six years of commissioned service.
Insignia – The Insignia of a Major is the National emblem of India.
Retirement age – NA
9. Captain
Officers get a time pound promotion as Major after they complete two years of commissioned service.
Insignia – The Insignia for a Captain in the Indian Army is a group of three five-pointed stars
Retirement age – NA
10. Lieutenant
This is the initial rank achieved after being commissioned as an officer into the Indian Army.
Insignia – The Insignia for a Lieutenant is a group of two five-pointed stars.
Retirement age – NA
Ranks of Junior Commissioned Officers of the Indian Army
1. Subedar Major (Infantry) or Risaldar Major (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)
Promotion by selection
Insignia – The Insignia of a Subedar Major is a gold national emblem with stripe
Retirement – After 34 years service or at the age of 54, whichever is earlier
2. Subedar (Infantry) or Risaldar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)
Promotion by selection
Insignia – The Insignia of a Subedar or Risaldar is a group of two gold stars with stripe
Retirement – After 30 years service or at the age of 52, whichever is earlier
3. Naib Subedar (Infantry) or Naib Risaldar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)
Promotion by selection
Insignia – The Insignia of a Naib Subedar is one gold star with stripe.
Retirement – After 28 years service or at the age of 52, whichever is earlier
Ranks of Non Commissioned Officers of the Indian Army
1. Havildar (Infantry) or Daffadar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)
Promotion by selection
Insignia – Three rank chevrons
Retirement – After 26 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is earlier
2. Naik (Infantry) or Lance Daffadar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)
Promotion by selection
Insignia – Two rank chevrons
Retirement – After 24 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is earlier
3. Lance Naik (Infantry) or Acting Lance Daffadar (Cavalry and Armoured Regiments)
Promotion by selection
Insignia – One rank chevron
Retirement – After 22 years service or at the age of 48, whichever is earlier
Soldiers
1. Sepoy
The identification of Sepoys is based on the Corps they serve in. A sepoy from infantry will identify himself as Rifleman. Likewise, a sepoy from Signal will identify himself as Signalman.
Insignia – Plain shoulder badge
Retirement – After 19 years of service or at the age of 42, whichever is sooner.
Overview of different types of ranks in the Indian Armed Forces.
Officer Ranks |
||
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Field Marshal | Admiral of the Fleet | Marshal of the Air Force |
| General | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal |
| Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal |
| Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore |
| Colonel | Captain | Group Captain |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander |
| Major | Lieutenant Commander | Squadron Leader |
| Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant | Sub-Lieutenant | Flying Officer |
Below Officer Ranks |
||
| Subedar Major | Master Chief Petty Officer (First Class) | Master Warrant Officer |
| Subedar | Master Chief Petty Officer (Second Class) | Warrant Officer |
| Naib Subedar | Chief Petty Officer | Junior Warrant Officer |
| Havaldar | Petty Officer | Sergeant |
| Naik | Able Seaman | Corporal |
| Lance Naik | Leading Seaman | Leading Aircraftsman |
| Sepoy | Seaman | Aircraftsman |
Indian Army Commissioned Officers Insignia
Indian Army Non Commissioned Officers Insignia
Indian Navy Commissioned Officers Insignia
Indian Navy Non Commissioned Officers Insignia
Indian Air Force Commissioned Officers Insignia
Indian Air Force Commissioned Officers Insignia
Insignia Image Source: Wikipedia
We hope this article on ranks of Indian Armed Force officers has helped you gain some new insights on the Indian Army Hierarchy. Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section.