Army ranks and insignia of India - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 3 December 2022
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	{{Short description\|Overview of the ranks and insignia of the Indian Army}}		{{Short description\|Overview of the ranks and insignia of the Indian Army}}
	{{Equivalent ranks of Indian military}}		{{Equivalent ranks of Indian military}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2019}}

	[[Indian Army]] Ranks can be broadly classified into three categories: [[Commissioned Officer]]s, [[Junior Commissioned Officer]]s and Other Ranks.		[[Indian Army]] Ranks can be broadly classified into three categories: [[Commissioned Officer]]s, [[Junior Commissioned Officer]]s and Other Ranks.
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	The rank of [[Second Lieutenant]] is no longer in use; all new officers are commissioned as Lieutenants.		The rank of [[Second Lieutenant]] is no longer in use; all new officers are commissioned as Lieutenants.

	The appointments of [[Havildar\|Regimental Quartermaster Havildar]] and [[Havildar\|Regimental Havildar Major]] are no longer used in the [[Indian Army]] and those duties are now performed by JCOs.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Personnel Services Directorate \|title=Psdte311212 \|url=http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/writereaddata/documents/psdte311212.pdf \|access-date=4 December ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=DSR Volume I, Chapter IV—JCOs, WOs, OR AND NON-COMBATANTS (ENROLLED) \|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm \|date=2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109212304/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm \|archive-date=9 November 2014 \|website=Indian Army \|access-date=4 December ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Kumar \|first=M. K. Sunil \|title=Rules of the Raj hindering havildars' promotion \|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article283262.ece \|date=16 May 2012 \|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] \|access-date=3 August ~~2022~~}}</ref>		The appointments of [[Havildar\|Regimental Quartermaster Havildar]] and [[Havildar\|Regimental Havildar Major]] are no longer used in the [[Indian Army]] and those duties are now performed by JCOs.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Personnel Services Directorate \|title=Psdte311212 \|url=http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/writereaddata/documents/psdte311212.pdf \|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=DSR Volume I, Chapter IV—JCOs, WOs, OR AND NON-COMBATANTS (ENROLLED) \|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm \|date=2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109212304/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm \|archive-date=9 November 2014 \|website=Indian Army \|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Kumar \|first=M. K. Sunil \|title=Rules of the Raj hindering havildars' promotion \|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article283262.ece \|date=16 May 2012 \|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] \|access-date=3 August 2015}}</ref>

	{\| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"		{\| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
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	==Rank descriptions==		==Rank descriptions==
	*Indian Army Ranks can be classified into three categories.		*Indian Army Ranks can be classified into three categories.
	**Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to All India Services & Group "A" Service officers.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Singh\|first1=Navdeep\|title=Clarification on the nature of 'Group-A' services\|url=http://www.indianmilitary.info/2009/05/clarification-on-nature-of-group.html\|website=India Military Info\|publisher=India Military Info\|access-date=22 February ~~2022~~}}</ref>		**Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to All India Services & Group "A" Service officers.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Singh\|first1=Navdeep\|title=Clarification on the nature of 'Group-A' services\|url=http://www.indianmilitary.info/2009/05/clarification-on-nature-of-group.html\|website=India Military Info\|publisher=India Military Info\|access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref>
	**Junior Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to Group B Gazetted officers.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=India\|first1=Times of\|title=JCOs are Gazetted\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jcos-are-gazetted-officers-says-army/articleshow/61474391.cms\|website=ToI\|publisher=Times of India}}</ref>		**Junior Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to Group B Gazetted officers.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=India\|first1=Times of\|title=JCOs are Gazetted\|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jcos-are-gazetted-officers-says-army/articleshow/61474391.cms\|website=ToI\|publisher=Times of India}}</ref>
	**Other Ranks comprising non-commissioned officers and soldiers.		**Other Ranks comprising non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
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	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.		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)<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Times\|first1=Hindustan\|title=Army defers key annual promotion exam amid LoC tensions\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-defers-key-annual-promotion-exam-amid-loc-tensions/story-J0Ub4DBggvuhUBOa3kR0rO.html\|website=Hindustan Times\|publisher=Hindustan Times\|access-date=22 February 2018\|archive-date=23 February 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223050712/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-defers-key-annual-promotion-exam-amid-loc-tensions/story-J0Ub4DBggvuhUBOa3kR0rO.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last1=India\|first1=USI\|title=PROSPECTUS\|url=http://usiofindia.org/Courses/Prospectus/\|website=USI\|publisher=USI of India\|access-date=22 February ~~2022~~}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Government of India \|title=MoD Letter No. 1/55/2008 D(Pay/Services)—Terms and Conditions of Service \|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/documents/PS010113.pdf \|date=4 November 2008 \|website=Indian Army \|publisher=Government of India, Ministry of Defence \|access-date=4 December ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last1=Tirkey \|first1=Ajay \|title=Ministry of Defence Resolution—Sixth Central Pay Commission \|url=http://mod.gov.in/writereaddata/6thCPC/PAYSERVICES-notification.pdf \|date=30 August 2008 \|newspaper=[[The Gazette of India]] \|access-date=4 December 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095821/http://mod.gov.in/writereaddata/6thCPC/PAYSERVICES-notification.pdf \|archive-date=4 March 2016 \|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=NCC Spl entry Scheme\|url=http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/NotificationPDF/Noftn_NCC-39_Course.pdf\|website=joinindianarmy.nic.in\|publisher=Indian Army\|access-date=13 September ~~2022~~}}</ref> 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\|date=November ~~2022~~}}		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)<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Times\|first1=Hindustan\|title=Army defers key annual promotion exam amid LoC tensions\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-defers-key-annual-promotion-exam-amid-loc-tensions/story-J0Ub4DBggvuhUBOa3kR0rO.html\|website=Hindustan Times\|publisher=Hindustan Times\|access-date=22 February 2018\|archive-date=23 February 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223050712/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-defers-key-annual-promotion-exam-amid-loc-tensions/story-J0Ub4DBggvuhUBOa3kR0rO.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last1=India\|first1=USI\|title=PROSPECTUS\|url=http://usiofindia.org/Courses/Prospectus/\|website=USI\|publisher=USI of India\|access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Government of India \|title=MoD Letter No. 1/55/2008 D(Pay/Services)—Terms and Conditions of Service \|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/documents/PS010113.pdf \|date=4 November 2008 \|website=Indian Army \|publisher=Government of India, Ministry of Defence \|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last1=Tirkey \|first1=Ajay \|title=Ministry of Defence Resolution—Sixth Central Pay Commission \|url=http://mod.gov.in/writereaddata/6thCPC/PAYSERVICES-notification.pdf \|date=30 August 2008 \|newspaper=[[The Gazette of India]] \|access-date=4 December 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095821/http://mod.gov.in/writereaddata/6thCPC/PAYSERVICES-notification.pdf \|archive-date=4 March 2016 \|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=NCC Spl entry Scheme\|url=http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/NotificationPDF/Noftn_NCC-39_Course.pdf\|website=joinindianarmy.nic.in\|publisher=Indian Army\|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> 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\|date=November 2016}}

	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]]		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]]
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	! width=5%\|Insignia		! width=5%\|Insignia
	! width=20%\|Collar Patch<ref>{{cite web\|title=How to Distinguish between Different Ranks of The Indian Army?\|url=https://defencelover.in/different-ranks-indian-army/}}</ref>		! width=20%\|Collar Patch<ref>{{cite web\|title=How to Distinguish between Different Ranks of The Indian Army?\|url=https://defencelover.in/different-ranks-indian-army/}}</ref>
	! width=39%\|Notes<ref>{{cite web\|title=Army Pay Rules\|url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/Armypayrules.pdf\|website=MoD\|publisher=GoI. MoD\|access-date=21 February ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last1=Army\|first1=Indian\|title=NCC SPL ENTRY NOTIFCATION\|url=http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/NotificationPDF/NCC_SPL_ENTRY_44_COURSE_MEN_AND_WOMEN_OCT_2018.pdf\|website=Indian Army Offl website\|publisher=Indian Army\|access-date=22 February ~~2022~~}}</ref>		! width=39%\|Notes<ref>{{cite web\|title=Army Pay Rules\|url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/Armypayrules.pdf\|website=MoD\|publisher=GoI. MoD\|access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|last1=Army\|first1=Indian\|title=NCC SPL ENTRY NOTIFCATION\|url=http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/NotificationPDF/NCC_SPL_ENTRY_44_COURSE_MEN_AND_WOMEN_OCT_2018.pdf\|website=Indian Army Offl website\|publisher=Indian Army\|access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref>
	! width=20%\|Retirement age		! width=20%\|Retirement age
	\|-		\|-
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	{{ anchor \| RA \| Retiree address}}		{{ anchor \| RA \| Retiree 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",<ref name=toi>{{cite news \|last=Sura \|first=Ajay \|title=Rank never retires, officer does: Army \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rank-never-retires-officer-does-Army/articleshow/39538647.cms \|date=3 August 2014 \|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] \|agency=TNN \|access-date=13 September ~~2022~~}}</ref> the correct example is "Brigadier [[Sant Singh]] (Retd)". The stated rationale of army was, "Rank never retires, it is an officer who retires."<ref name=toi/> This form of address applies to both living and deceased officers.<ref name=toi/>		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",<ref name=toi>{{cite news \|last=Sura \|first=Ajay \|title=Rank never retires, officer does: Army \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rank-never-retires-officer-does-Army/articleshow/39538647.cms \|date=3 August 2014 \|newspaper=[[The Times of India]] \|agency=TNN \|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> the correct example is "Brigadier [[Sant Singh]] (Retd)". The stated rationale of army was, "Rank never retires, it is an officer who retires."<ref name=toi/> This form of address applies to both living and deceased officers.<ref name=toi/>

	==See also==		==See also==

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Created page with "{{Military of India sidebar}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} Indian Army Ranks can be broadly classified into three categories: Commissioned Officers, Junior Commis..."

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{{Military of India sidebar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}

[[Indian Army]] Ranks can be broadly classified into three categories: Commissioned Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks.

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.
{{Equivalent ranks of Indian military}}

==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 of India|dominion]] within the British [[Commonwealth of Nations]], but the old rank insignia, incorporating the [[Tudor Crown (heraldry)|Tudor Crown]] and four-pointed [[Order of the Bath|Bath Star]] ("pip"), was retained, as King [[George VI of the United Kingdom|George VI]] remained Commander-in-Chief of the [[Indian Armed Forces]]. After 26 January 1950, when India became a [[Republic of India|republic]], the [[President of India]] became Commander-in-Chief, and the [[Lion Capital of Asoka|Ashoka Lion]] replaced the crown, with a five-pointed star being substituted for the "pip."<ref name="insignia">{{cite web|title=New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services|url=http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20807-BR/HOM-1950-01-06_484.pdf|website=Press Information Bureau of India - Archive}}</ref>

==Field Marshal==
{{main|Field Marshal (India)}}

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 [[Sam Manekshaw|Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw]] and the late [[Kodandera Madappa Cariappa|Field Marshal K M Cariappa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Field Marshal KM Cariappa : The First Indian Chief of Independent India |url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/field-marshal-km-cariappa-the-first-indian-chief-of-independent-india/ |website=Aviation & Defence Universe |publisher=Aviation & Defence Universe |ref=The Government of India conferred the rank of Field Marshal on Cariappa in 1983.}}</ref>

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 (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]. They wear full uniforms on all official occasions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Did You Know That Only 3 People Have Been Given The Highest Ranks In The Indian Armed Forces? |url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/Highest-ranks-in-Indian-Armed-Forces/#.53j2ve5ta |ref=Field Marshals hold their rank for life, there is no retirement and they are considered as serving officers till their death. This also means that they do not draw a pension and are in the pay roll for the rest of their lives. Like other army officers, Field Marshals are required to be in full uniform during any official occasion.}}</ref>

==Ranks and insignia==

===Current ranks===
;Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/India}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
|
| colspan=2| Honorary/ War time rank
| colspan=2| Held by the [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]] or the [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]
|}

;Enlisted ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/India}}
|}

* [[Risaldar Major]] in cavalry and armoured regiments
* [[Risaldar]] in cavalry and armoured regiments
* [[Naib Risaldar]] in cavalry and armoured regiments. Called [[Jemadar]] until 1965.
* [[Sowar]] in cavalry and armoured regiments

===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 [[Havildar|Regimental Quartermaster Havildar]] and [[Havildar|Regimental Havildar Major]] are no longer used in the [[Indian Army]] and those duties are now performed by JCOs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Personnel Services Directorate |title=Psdte311212 |url=http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/writereaddata/documents/psdte311212.pdf |access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=DSR Volume I, Chapter IV—JCOs, WOs, OR AND NON-COMBATANTS (ENROLLED) |url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm |date=2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109212304/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm |archive-date=9 November 2014 |website=Indian Army |access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=M. K. Sunil |title=Rules of the Raj hindering havildars' promotion |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article283262.ece |date=16 May 2012 |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |access-date=3 August 2015}}</ref>

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|+ '''Ranks of the Indian Army no longer in use'''
|- align=center
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! ||colspan=1|Officers
! ||colspan=4|Non-commissioned officers
|- align=center
||'''Shoulder Insignia'''
|| [[File:Second Lieutenant of the Indian Army.svg|50px]]
|| '''Arm'''
|| [[File:Regimental Havildar Major.gif|50px]]
|| [[File:Regimental Quartermaster Havildar.gif|50px]]
|| [[File:Company Havildar Major.gif|50px]]
|| [[File:Company Quartermaster Havildar.gif|50px]]
|- align=center
|- align=center
||'''Rank'''
|| [[Second Lieutenant|Second Lieutenant]]
||
|| [[Havildar|Regimental Havildar Major]]
|| [[Havildar|Regimental Quartermaster Havildar]]
|| [[Havildar|Company Havildar Major]]
|| [[Havildar|Company Quartermaster Havildar]]
|- align=center
|colspan=8|
|-
|colspan=5|
|}
Notable holders include 2Lt. [[Arun Khetarpal]], 2Lt. [[Rama Raghoba Rane]], CHM [[Piru Singh Shekhawat]] and CQMH [[Abdul Hamid (soldier)|Abdul Hamid]].

==Rank descriptions==
*Indian Army Ranks can be classified into three categories.
**Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to All India Services & Group "A" Service officers.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Singh|first1=Navdeep|title=Clarification on the nature of 'Group-A' services|url=http://www.indianmilitary.info/2009/05/clarification-on-nature-of-group.html|website=India Military Info|publisher=India Military Info|access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref>
**Junior Commissioned Officers who are equivalent to Group B Gazetted officers.<ref>{{cite web|last1=India|first1=Times of|title=JCOs are Gazetted|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jcos-are-gazetted-officers-says-army/articleshow/61474391.cms|website=ToI|publisher=Times of India}}</ref>
**Other Ranks comprising non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

===Commissioned officers===
[[File:Equivalent-ranks-of-the-Indian-Armed-Forces.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5|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) <ref>{{cite web|last1=Times|first1=Hindustan|title=Army defers key annual promotion exam amid LoC tensions|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/army-defers-key-annual-promotion-exam-amid-loc-tensions/story-J0Ub4DBggvuhUBOa3kR0rO.html|website=Hindustan Times|publisher=Hindustan Times|access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=India|first1=USI|title=PROSPECTUS|url=http://usiofindia.org/Courses/Prospectus/|website=USI|publisher=USI of India|access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Government of India |title=MoD Letter No. 1/55/2008 D(Pay/Services)—Terms and Conditions of Service |url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/documents/PS010113.pdf |date=4 November 2008 |website=Indian Army |publisher=Government of India, Ministry of Defence |access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tirkey |first1=Ajay |title=Ministry of Defence Resolution—Sixth Central Pay Commission |url=http://mod.gov.in/writereaddata/6thCPC/PAYSERVICES-notification.pdf |date=30 August 2008 |newspaper=[[The Gazette of India]] |access-date=4 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095821/http://mod.gov.in/writereaddata/6thCPC/PAYSERVICES-notification.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NCC Spl entry Scheme|url=http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/NotificationPDF/Noftn_NCC-39_Course.pdf|website=joinindianarmy.nic.in|publisher=Indian Army|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> 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|date=November 2016}}

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
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width=5%|Ranks
! width=30%|Description
! width=5%|Insignia
! width=20%|Collar Patch<ref>{{cite web|title=How to Distinguish between Different Ranks of The Indian Army?|url=https://defencelover.in/different-ranks-indian-army/}}</ref>
! width=39%|Notes<ref>{{cite web|title=Army Pay Rules|url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/Armypayrules.pdf|website=MoD|publisher=GoI. MoD|access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Army|first1=Indian|title=NCC SPL ENTRY NOTIFCATION|url=http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/NotificationPDF/NCC_SPL_ENTRY_44_COURSE_MEN_AND_WOMEN_OCT_2018.pdf|website=Indian Army Offl website|publisher=Indian Army|access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref>
! width=20%|Retirement age
|-
| [[Field Marshal (India)|Field Marshal]]
| National emblem over a crossed baton and sabre in a lotus blossom wreath.
|[[File:Field_Marshal_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| Crimson patches with five golden stars and golden laurel wreath
| Only two appointments have ever been made.
| Not applicable. Life Long
|-
| [[General (India)|General]]
| National emblem over a five-pointed star, all over a crossed baton and sabre.
|[[File:General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| Crimson patches with four golden stars and golden laurel wreath
|Held by the [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army]] and [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]], if from the army (but with slightly different insignia). Equivalent to [[Cabinet Secretary of India]]
Pay Level 18, Rs. 250,000
| As CDS: 3 years as CDS or at age of 65, whichever is earlier.

As COAS: 3 years as COAS or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier.
|-
| [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| National emblem over crossed baton and sabre.
|[[File:Lieutenant_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| Crimson patches with three golden stars and golden laurel wreath (army and theatre commanders) Crimson patches with three golden stars (corps commanders, other positions)
| By selection.
36 years of commissioned service required.

Lieutenant generals appointed as Vice Chief of Army Staff/Army Commanders/Equivalent at Pay Level 17,
Rs.225,000

HAG + Scale: Admissible to 1/3rd of total strength of Lt Generals
Pay Level 16,
Rs.205,400 - 224,400

HAG Scale: Pay Level 15,
Rs. 182,200 - 224,100

| 60
|-
| [[Major general (India)|Major General]]
| Five-pointed star over crossed baton and sabre.
|[[File:Major_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| Crimson patches with two golden stars
| By selection.
28 years of commissioned service required.

Pay Level 14,
Rs. 144,200 - 218,200
| 58
|-
| [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]
| National emblem over three five-pointed stars in a triangular formation.
|[[File:Brigadier_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| Crimson patches with one golden star
|By selection.
25 years of commissioned service required.

Pay Level 13A,
Rs.1,39,600 - 2,17,600
| 56
|-
| [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]
| National emblem over two five-pointed stars
|[[File:Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| Crimson patches with golden braids
| First selection-grade rank; highest rank which may be attained by officers on time-scale promotion if not promoted to colonel by selection. 15 years of commissioned service required for selection. 26 years of commissioned service required for time-scale promotion.

Pay Level 13,
Rs. 130,600 - 215,900
| 54
|-
| [[Lieutenant Colonel]]
| National emblem over five-pointed star.
|[[File:Lieutenant_Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| None
| On completion of 13 years reckonable commissioned service subject to clearance of Part D exam.

Pay Level 12A,
Rs. 121,200 -212,400
|NA
|-
| [[Major]]
| National emblem.
|[[File:Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| None
| On completion of 6 years reckonable commissioned service subject to clearance of Part B exam.

Pay Level 11,
Rs. 69,400 - 207,200
|NA
|-
| [[Captain (land and air)|Captain]]
| Three five-pointed stars.
|[[File:Captain_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| None
| On completion of 2 years reckonable commissioned service.

Pay Level 10B,
Rs. 61,300 - 193,900
|NA
|-
| [[Lieutenant]]
| Two five-pointed stars.
|[[File:Lieutenant_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| None
| On commissioning into Indian Army as an Officer in Pay Level 10
Rs. 56,100 - 177,500
|NA
|-
|-
| [[Officer Cadet]]
| Shoulder tags with training academy name
|'''No insignia'''
| Term and Company badges
| On getting inducted in the Indian Army.
Fixed stipend as applicable
|NA
|-
|}

In the Indian Army, officer cadets are known as Gentlemen Cadets or Lady Cadets. Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) join the 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 IMA/OTA, which is equally divided into terms.

===Junior commissioned officers===
[[Junior commissioned officer]]s are promoted from [[non-commissioned officer]]s and are broadly equivalent to [[Warrant Officer|warrant officers]] in Western armies. 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=The indomitable Subedar Major |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/column/the-indomitable-subedar-major-702697 |agency=The Tribune}}</ref>

The current living recipients of the [[Param Veer Chakra]] are all from JCO ranks namely [[Bana Singh]] Retd, [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Sanjay Kumar]], and [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]].<ref>{{cite web |title=3 Living Legends Of Indian Army – Param Veer Chakra Winners |url=https://www.ssbcrack.com/2015/07/3-living-legends-of-indian-army-param-veer-chakra-winners.html |website=SSB Crack |publisher=ssbcrack.com}}</ref>

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 [[Gazetted Officer (India)|India]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Army corrects JCO status after 6 years |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-army-corrects-jco-status-after-6-years-2557368 |agency=DNA}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Benefits, and challenges military personnel and their families face. |url=https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/benefits-and-challenges-military-personnel-and-their-families-face-1554315886721.html}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |title=Insignia For Junior Commissioned Officers |url=https://www.embibe.com/exams/indian-army-ranks/ |website=Embibe}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! width=20%; colspan=2|Ranks
! width=20%; rowspan=2|Description
! width=5%; rowspan=2|Insignia
! width=20%; rowspan=2|Retirement Age
|-
! width=20%;|Infantry and other arms
! width=20%;|Cavalry and Armour
|-
| [[Subedar major]]
| [[Risaldar major]]
| Golden national emblem with stripe
|[[File:Subedar_Major_-_Risaldar_Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| After 34 years service or at the age of 54, whichever is sooner.<ref name="7th_pay">{{cite web |url=https://www.finmin.nic.in/sites/default/files/7cpc_report_eng.pdf?download=1 |title=Report of the Seventh Central Pay Commission |pages=397–398|author= |date=November 2015 |website= |publisher=Government of India |access-date=4 April 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Subedar]]
| [[Risaldar]]
| Two golden stars with stripe
|[[File:Subedar_-_Risaldar_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| After 30 years service or at the age of 52, whichever is sooner.<ref name="7th_pay"/>
|-
| [[Naib subedar]]
| [[Naib risaldar]]
| One golden star with stripe
|[[File:Naib_Subedar_-_Naib_Risaldar_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]]
| After 28 years service or at the age of 52, whichever is sooner.<ref name="7th_pay"/>
|}

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 [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]]. As of 2021, the Indian Army is discussing a proposal to directly enroll 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Army to recruit 14000 JCOs Soon |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/indian-army-recruitment-2021-eligibility-selection-criteria-1617602767-1 |agency=Jagran Prakashan Ltd |publisher=Jagran Prakashan Ltd}}</ref>

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

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

{| class="wikitable"
! width=20%; colspan=2|Ranks
! width=20%; rowspan=2|Description
! width=5%; rowspan=2|Insignia
! width=20%; rowspan=2|Retirement Age
|-
! width=20%;|Infantry and other arms
! width=20%;|Cavalry and armour
|-
| [[Havildar]]
| [[Daffadar]]
| Three rank chevrons
|[[File:India-Army-OR-6.svg|45px]]
| After 26 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is sooner.<ref name="7th_pay"/>
|-
| [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]]
| [[Lance Daffadar]]
| Two rank chevrons
|[[File:India-Army-OR-4.svg|45px]]
| After 23 years service or at the age of 49, whichever is sooner.<ref name="7th_pay"/>
|-
| [[Lance Naik]]
| [[Acting Lance Daffadar]]
| Single rank chevron
|[[File:India-Army-OR-3.svg|45px]]
| After 19 years service or at the age of 48, whichever is sooner.<ref name="7th_pay"/>
|-
|}

====Soldiers====
{| class="wikitable"
! width=25%; colspan=2|Ranks
! width=25%; rowspan=2|Insignia
! width=25%; rowspan=2|Retirement Age
|-
! width=25%;|Infantry and other arms
! width=25%;|Cavalry and armour
|-
| [[Sepoy]]
| [[Sowar]]
| Plain shoulder badge only
| After 15 years 56 Days service or at the age of 42, whichever is sooner.<ref name="7th_pay"/>
|-
|}

== Honorary ranks ==
{{ anchor | H | Honorary | Honorary ranks }}

=== Brevet ===
Honorary ranks and honor, also called [[Brevet (military)|brevet]], are granted in the Indian Army, and its branches such as [[Territorial Army (India)|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 ====
Since the time of the British raj,<ref name=reciprocal4/> 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 ====
In order to inspire Indian youths to join Indian Army, and to acknowledges 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:<ref name=reciprocal3>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Anshika |title=10 Celebrities with Military Ranks that motivate Youth to Join the Indian defence Forces |url=http://www.indianyouth.net/10-celebrities-military-ranks-motivate-youth-join-indian-defence-forces |website=IndianYouth.net}}</ref>

* Indian Army (IA)

** [[Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore]], 2013, Colonel, IA, ex-soldier and sport shooter and politician.<ref name=reciprocal3/>
** [[Deepak Rao]], 2011, Major, TA (Para), military trainer and author.<ref name=reciprocal3/>
** [[Milkha Singh]], 1958, JCO, IA, ex-soldier and athlete.<ref name=reciprocal3/>
** [[Vijay Kumar (sport shooter)|Vijay Kumar]], 2012, JCO, IA, ex-soldier of [[Dogra Regiment]] (16th Battalion) Indian and sport shooter,<ref name=reciprocal3/>
* Indian Army's Territorial Army (TA)

** [[Kapil Dev]], 2008, Lieutenant Colonel, TA, cricketer.<ref name=reciprocal3/>
** [[Mohanlal|Mohanlal Viswanathan]], 2009, Lieutenant Colonel, TA, Malayalam actor.<ref name=reciprocal3/><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2009 |title=Mohanlal inducted into Territorial Army |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mohanlal-inducted-into-territorial-army-397652 |website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>
** [[Mahendra Singh Dhoni]], 2011, Lieutenant Colonel, TA (Para), cricketer.<ref name=reciprocal3/>
** [[Abhinav Bindra]], 2011, Lieutenant Colonel, TA ([[Sikh Regiment]]), sport shooter and politician.<ref name=reciprocal3/>
** [[Sachin Pilot]], 2012, Lieutenant, TA (Sikh Regiment), politician.<ref name=reciprocal3/>
** [[Anurag Singh Thakur]], 2016, Captain, TA (Sikh Regiment), politician.<ref name=reciprocal3/>

==== Foreign trainees of India's military academies ====
{{anchor | FT | Foreign | Foreign trainees }}
{{see also | Foreign_relations_of_India#Strategic_partners | l1= Strategic partners of India }}

Trainees of foreign nations who are trained by the military academies of India, such as the [[National Defence Academy (India)|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===
{{ anchor | RR | rr | Rr | reciprocal rank | reciprocal ranks }}

==== Nepal ====
{{ anchor | RRN | RR Nepal | Reciprocal ranks Nepal }}

Since 1950, when former Indian army chief General [[K. M. Cariappa]] visited Nepal, awarding the highest reciprocal [[Brevet (military)|honorary rank]]s 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 [[Chief of Army Staff (Nepal)|Nepal Army Chief]] General [[Chhatra Man Singh Gurung]] was decorated with the honorary rank of General of the Indian army in New Delhi by the [[President of India]] who is also the [[Indian Armed Forces#Overview|Supreme Commander of Indian Army]]. Similarly, in 2010 the newly appointed [[Chief of Army Staff (India)|Indian Army Chief]] General [[V. K. Singh]] was awarded the honorary rank of General of Nepal Army at [[Shital Niwas]] by the [[President of Nepal]] who is also the [[Nepalese Armed Forces#SC|Supreme Commander of Nepal Army]].<ref name=reciprocal1>{{cite news | title = Army chief made honorary General of Nepal Army | url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/army-chief-made-honorary-general-of-nepal-army/story-KC2V94SmrdtKR9WJ0vUC2L.html |date = 22 December 2010 | newspaper = [[Hindustan Times]] | access-date = 28 May 2020 }}</ref>

==== British Colonial era: Indian Army ranks to British Army ====
{{ anchor | BR | British raj }}

Some members of the ruling families of [[Princely state]]s were given ceremonial honorary ranks during the colonial era.<ref name=reciprocal4>Lt. Col. Gautam Sharma, 1996, [https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=KHAWlzQdxxcC&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=retiring+soldiers+are+given+honorary+ranks+in+indian+army&source=bl&ots=XjVJCB1dTS&sig=ACfU3U26y9f_U_iIfKBeZmCydYwH0xvAYQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjYjKj6g9fpAhXBWisKHfA6BHc4ChDoATACegQIBRAB#v=onepage&q=retiring%20soldiers%20are%20given%20honorary%20ranks%20in%20indian%20army&f=false Nationalisation of the Indian Army, 1885-1947], pp 11.</ref>

A 1832 journal reports that during the colonial [[British raj]] era, the Commander-in-Chief of [[British Army]] ([[Ex officio member|ex officio]] role of the serving [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch of Britain]]) promulgated an order directing that the Lieutenant colonel of [[Her Majesty's Government (term)|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 Indian Army their hard-earned honors and ranks within their peculiar service. This was not a reciprocal system, i.e. Lieutenant Colonel of [[East India Company| 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 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 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.<ref name=reciprocal2>May-Aug 1832, [https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=E8RGAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA66&lpg=PA66&dq=Indian+army+reciprocal+ranks&source=bl&ots=s3dlnSHg35&sig=ACfU3U3alqis_SA_xBBdCQUkuhc4I1qwoQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_sY_M19bpAhW8H7cAHS0RCIUQ6AEwF3oECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=Indian%20army%20reciprocal%20ranks&f=false 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.</ref>

==Retired officers: form of address==
{{ anchor | RA | Retiree 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",<ref name=toi>{{cite news |last=Sura |first=Ajay |title=Rank never retires, officer does: Army |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rank-never-retires-officer-does-Army/articleshow/39538647.cms |date=3 August 2014 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |agency=TNN |access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> the correct example is "Brigadier [[Sant Singh]] (Retd)". The stated rationale of army was, "Rank never retires, it is an officer who retires."<ref name=toi/> This form of address applies to both living and deceased officers.<ref name=toi/>

==See also==
* [[Comparative military ranks]]
* [[Air Force ranks and insignia of India]]
* [[Naval ranks and insignia of India]]
* [[Police ranks and insignia of India]]
* [[Indian Army cap badges]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Military ranks by country}}
{{Indian Army}}
{{Military of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Army Ranks And Insignia Of India}}
[[Category:Indian Army]]
[[Category:Military ranks of India]]
[[Category:Military insignia|India Army]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:26, 13 March 2023
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	{{Short description\|Overview of the ~~ranks~~ and ~~insignia~~ of the Indian Army}}		{{Short description\|Overview of the Ranks and Insignia of the Indian Army}}
	{{Equivalent ranks of Indian military}}		{{Equivalent ranks of Indian military}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2019}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2019}}
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	{{main\|Field Marshal (India)}}		{{main\|Field Marshal (India)}}

	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 [[Sam Manekshaw\|Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw]] and the late [[Kodandera Madappa Cariappa\|Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Field Marshal KM Cariappa : The First Indian Chief of Independent India \|url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/field-marshal-km-cariappa-the-first-indian-chief-of-independent-india/ \|website=Aviation & Defence Universe \|publisher=Aviation & Defence Universe \|ref=The Government of India conferred the rank of Field Marshal on Cariappa in 1983.}}</ref>		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 [[Sam Manekshaw\|Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw]] and the late [[Kodandera Madappa Cariappa\|Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa]].<ref>{{cite web \|title=Field Marshal KM Cariappa : The First Indian Chief of Independent India \|url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/field-marshal-km-cariappa-the-first-indian-chief-of-independent-india/ \|website=Aviation & Defence Universe \|publisher=Aviation & Defence Universe \|ref=The Government of India conferred the rank of Field Marshal on Cariappa in 1983.}}</ref>

	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 (India)\|Chief of the Army Staff]]. They wear full uniforms on all official occasions.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Did You Know That Only 3 People Have Been Given The Highest Ranks In The Indian Armed Forces? \|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/Highest-ranks-in-Indian-Armed-Forces/#.53j2ve5ta \|ref=Field Marshals hold their rank for life, there is no retirement and they are considered as serving officers till their death. This also means that they do not draw a pension and are on the payroll for the rest of their lives. Like other army officers, Field Marshals are required to be in full uniform during any official occasion.}}</ref>		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 (India)\|Chief of the Army Staff]]. They wear full uniforms on all official occasions.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Did You Know That Only 3 People Have Been Given The Highest Ranks In The Indian Armed Forces? \|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/Highest-ranks-in-Indian-Armed-Forces/#.53j2ve5ta \|ref=Field Marshals hold their rank for life, there is no retirement and they are considered as serving officers till their death. This also means that they do not draw a pension and are on the payroll for the rest of their lives. Like other army officers, Field Marshals are required to be in full uniform during any official occasion.}}</ref>

	==Ranks and insignia==		==Ranks and insignia==
Line 51:		Line 51:
	\|}		\|}

	* The title [[Risaldar]] replaces Subedar in ranks in cavalry ~~and~~ armored regiments.		* The title [[Risaldar]] replaces Subedar in ranks in cavalry, armored regiments, [[Remount Veterinary Corps]] and animal transport battalions of [[Indian Army Service Corps\|Army Service Corps]].
	* [[Naib Risaldar]] was called [[Jemadar]] until 1965.		* [[Naib Risaldar]] was called [[Jemadar]] until 1965.
	* [[Daffadar]], [[Lance Daffadar]] and [[Lance Daffadar\|Acting Lance Daffadar]] - these ranks replace the titles of [[Havildar]], [[Naik (military rank)\|Naik]] and [[Lance Naik]] in cavalry ~~and~~ armored regiments.		* [[Daffadar]], [[Lance Daffadar]] and [[Lance Daffadar\|Acting Lance Daffadar]] - these ranks replace the titles of [[Havildar]], [[Naik (military rank)\|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 ~~and~~ armored regiments.		* [[Sowar]] replaces the rank Sepoy in cavalry, armored regiments, Remount Veterinary Corps and animal transport battalions of Army Service Corps.

	===Ranks that are no longer in use===		===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 rank of [[Second Lieutenant]] is no longer in use; all new officers are commissioned as Lieutenants.

	The appointments of [[Havildar\|Regimental Quartermaster Havildar]] and [[Havildar\|Regimental Havildar Major]] are no longer used in the [[Indian Army]] and those duties are now performed by JCOs.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Personnel Services Directorate \|title=Psdte311212 \|url=http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/writereaddata/documents/psdte311212.pdf \|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=DSR Volume I, Chapter IV—JCOs, WOs, OR AND NON-COMBATANTS (ENROLLED) \|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm \|date=2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109212304/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm \|archive-date=9 November 2014 \|website=Indian Army \|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Kumar \|first=M. K. Sunil \|title=Rules of the Raj hindering havildars' promotion \|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article283262.ece \|date=16 May 2012 \|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] \|access-date=3 August 2015}}</ref>		The appointments of [[Havildar\|Regimental Quartermaster Havildar]] and [[Havildar\|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.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Personnel Services Directorate \|title=Psdte311212 \|url=http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/writereaddata/documents/psdte311212.pdf \|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=DSR Volume I, Chapter IV—JCOs, WOs, OR AND NON-COMBATANTS (ENROLLED) \|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm \|date=2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109212304/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_1/CHAPTER_04/53.htm \|archive-date=9 November 2014 \|website=Indian Army \|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Kumar \|first=M. K. Sunil \|title=Rules of the Raj hindering havildars' promotion \|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article283262.ece \|date=16 May 2012 \|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] \|access-date=3 August 2015}}</ref>

	{\| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"		{\| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
Line 141:		Line 141:
	32 years of commissioned service required.		32 years of commissioned service required.

	Lieutenant ~~generals~~ appointed as Vice Chief of Army Staff/Army Commanders/Equivalent at Pay Level 17,		Lieutenant Generals appointed as Vice Chief of Army Staff/Army Commanders/Equivalent at Pay Level 17,
	Rs.225,000		Rs.225,000

Line 153:		Line 153:
	\| 60		\| 60
	\|-		\|-
	\| [[Major ~~general~~ (India)\|Major General]]		\| [[Major General (India)\|Major General]]
	\| Five-pointed star over crossed baton and sabre.		\| Five-pointed star over crossed baton and sabre.
	\|[[File:Major_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg\|35px]]		\|[[File:Major_General_of_the_Indian_Army.svg\|35px]]
Line 381:		Line 381:
	{{ anchor \| RRN \| RR Nepal \| Reciprocal ranks Nepal }}		{{ anchor \| RRN \| RR Nepal \| Reciprocal ranks Nepal }}

	Since 1950, when former Indian ~~army chief~~ General [[K. M. Cariappa]] visited Nepal, awarding the highest reciprocal [[Brevet (military)\|honorary rank]]s 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 [[Chief of Army Staff (Nepal)\|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 [[Indian Armed Forces#Overview\|Supreme Commander of Indian Army]]. Similarly, in 2010 the newly appointed [[Chief of Army Staff (India)\|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 [[Nepalese Armed Forces#SC\|Supreme Commander of Nepal Army]].<ref name=reciprocal1>{{cite news \| title = Army chief made honorary General of Nepal Army \| url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/army-chief-made-honorary-general-of-nepal-army/story-KC2V94SmrdtKR9WJ0vUC2L.html \|date = 22 December 2010 \| newspaper = [[Hindustan Times]] \| access-date = 28 May 2020 }}</ref>		Since 1950, when former Indian Army Chief General [[K. M. Cariappa]] visited Nepal, awarding the highest reciprocal [[Brevet (military)\|honorary rank]]s 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 [[Chief of Army Staff (Nepal)\|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 [[Indian Armed Forces#Overview\|Supreme Commander of Indian Army]]. Similarly, in 2010 the newly appointed [[Chief of Army Staff (India)\|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 [[Nepalese Armed Forces#SC\|Supreme Commander of Nepal Army]].<ref name=reciprocal1>{{cite news \| title = Army chief made honorary General of Nepal Army \| url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/army-chief-made-honorary-general-of-nepal-army/story-KC2V94SmrdtKR9WJ0vUC2L.html \|date = 22 December 2010 \| newspaper = [[Hindustan Times]] \| access-date = 28 May 2020 }}</ref>

	==== British Colonial era: Indian Army ranks to British Army ====		==== British Colonial era: Indian Army ranks to British Army ====
	{{ anchor \| BR \| British raj }}		{{ anchor \| BR \| British raj }}

	Some members of the ruling families of [[Princely state]]s were given ceremonial honorary ranks during the colonial era.<ref name=reciprocal4>Lt. Col. Gautam Sharma, 1996, [https://books.google.com~~.sg~~/books?id=KHAWlzQdxxcC~~&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11~~&dq=retiring+soldiers+are+given+honorary+ranks+in+indian+army&~~source~~=bl&ots=XjVJCB1dTS&sig=ACfU3U26y9f_U_iIfKBeZmCydYwH0xvAYQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjYjKj6g9fpAhXBWisKHfA6BHc4ChDoATACegQIBRAB#v=onepage&q=retiring%20soldiers%20are%20given%20honorary%20ranks%20in%20indian%20army&f=false Nationalisation of the Indian Army, 1885-1947], pp 11.</ref>		Some members of the ruling families of [[Princely state]]s were given ceremonial honorary ranks during the colonial era.<ref name=reciprocal4>Lt. Col. Gautam Sharma, 1996, [https://books.google.com/books?id=KHAWlzQdxxcC&dq=retiring+soldiers+are+given+honorary+ranks+in+indian+army&pg=PA11 Nationalisation of the Indian Army, 1885-1947], pp 11.</ref>

	An 1832 journal reports that during the colonial [[British raj]] era, the Commander-in-Chief of [[British Army]] ([[Ex officio member\|ex officio]] role of the serving [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom\|Monarch of Britain]]) promulgated an order directing that the Lieutenant ~~colonel~~ of [[Her Majesty's Government (term)\|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\| 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.<ref name=reciprocal2>May-Aug 1832, [https://books.google.com~~.sg~~/books?id=E8RGAAAAcAAJ~~&pg=PA66&lpg=PA66~~&dq=Indian+army+reciprocal+ranks&~~source~~=~~bl&ots=s3dlnSHg35&sig=ACfU3U3alqis_SA_xBBdCQUkuhc4I1qwoQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_sY_M19bpAhW8H7cAHS0RCIUQ6AEwF3oECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=Indian%20army%20reciprocal%20ranks&f=false~~ 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.</ref>		An 1832 journal reports that during the colonial [[British raj]] era, the Commander-in-Chief of [[British Army]] ([[Ex officio member\|ex officio]] role of the serving [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom\|Monarch of Britain]]) promulgated an order directing that the Lieutenant Colonel of [[Her Majesty's Government (term)\|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\| 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.<ref name=reciprocal2>May-Aug 1832, [https://books.google.com/books?id=E8RGAAAAcAAJ&dq=Indian+army+reciprocal+ranks&pg=PA66 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.</ref>

	==Retired officers: form of address==		==Retired officers: form of address==