A Guide To Indian Army Ranks
img source: Wikimedia Commons

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

India_Para

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

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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.