Captain (Indian Navy): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Rank in the Indian Navy}}
{{Infobox military rank
{{Infobox military rank
| name          = Captain
| name          = Captain
| image          = File:British_Royal_Navy_(sleeves)_OF-5.svg
| image          = [[File:10-Indian Navy-CAPT.svg|60px]] [[File:British_Royal_Navy_(sleeves)_OF-5.svg|60px]]
| image_size    = 60px
| caption        = Rank insignia of a captain of the Indian Navy
| caption        = Rank insignia of a captain of the Indian Navy
| image2        =  
| image2        =[[File:IN SURG CAPT.png|60px]] [[File:SURG SLEEVE CAPT.png|60px]]
| image_size2    =  
| image_size2    =  
| caption2      =  
| caption2      =Rank insignia of Surgeon Captain of the Indian Navy
| image3        =  
| image3        =  
| image_size3    =  
| image_size3    =60px
| caption3      =  
| caption3      =  
| country        = {{flag|India}}
| country        = {{flag|India}}
| service branch = {{navy|India}}
| service branch = {{navy|India}}
| abbreviation  = Capt
| abbreviation  = Capt/ Surg Capt
| rank          = [[Captain (naval)|Captain]]
| rank          = [[Captain (naval)|Captain]]
| NATO rank      =  
| NATO rank      =OF-5
| Non-NATO rank  =  
| Non-NATO rank  =  
| formation      =  
| formation      =  
Line 22: Line 22:
| equivalents    = [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] ([[Indian Army]])<br />[[Group captain (India)|Group captain]] ([[Indian Air Force]])
| equivalents    = [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] ([[Indian Army]])<br />[[Group captain (India)|Group captain]] ([[Indian Air Force]])
| history        =  
| history        =  
}}
|pay grade=[[7th Central Pay Commission and Defence Forces|Level 13]]|rank group=''Senior officers''}}
'''Captain''' is a rank in the [[Indian Navy]]. Captain ranks above the rank of [[Commander]] and lower than a [[Commodore (India)|Commodore]]. It is equivalent to [[Colonel (India)|colonel]] in the [[Indian Army]] and [[Group captain (India)|group captain]] in the [[Indian Air Force]].
'''Captain''' is a rank in the [[Indian Navy]]. [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] ranks above the rank of [[Commander]] and lower than a [[Commodore (India)|Commodore]]. It is equivalent to [[Colonel (India)|colonel]] in the [[Indian Army]] and [[Group captain (India)|group captain]] in the [[Indian Air Force]].


[[File:Captain Rajesh Dhankhar.jpg|thumb|right|Capt Rajesh Dhankhar in a captain's uniform.]]
[[File:Potrait of Captain-Sharad-Sinsunwal.jpg|thumb|150px|Sharad Sinsunwal in captain insignia]]


==Terminology==
==Terminology==
An officer in command of any [[warship]] is informally referred to as "the captain" on board, even if holding a junior rank. The formal title is ''[[Commanding officer]]'' (CO). Destroyers and frigates afloat were grouped into squadrons, which was commanded by the Captain (D) and Captain (F) respectively.<ref name="Capt (D)">{{cite web |title=PIB (Defence Wing) |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-11-06_337.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=6 November 1948}}</ref> Apart from operational command of the squadron, he also commanded the lead ship of the squadron.
An officer in command of any [[warship]] is informally referred to as "the captain" on board, even if holding a junior rank. The formal title is ''[[Commanding officer]]'' (CO). Destroyers and frigates afloat were grouped into squadrons, which was commanded by the Captain (D) and Captain (F) respectively.<ref name="Capt (D)">{{cite web |title=PIB (Defence Wing) |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1948-JULY-DEC-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1948-11-06_337.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=6 November 1948}}</ref> Apart from operational command of the squadron, he also commanded the lead ship of the squadron.


To distinguish the rank from the junior rank of [[Captain (armed forces)|captain]] in the [[Indian Army]], the term ''Captain (IN)'' is used.<ref>{{cite web |last1=College |first1=National Defence |title=National Defence College |url=https://ndc.nic.in/FormerStaff.aspx?MenuId=9fsPy+KlrLAnIwEsuaB4ZA== |website=National Defence College}}</ref>
To distinguish the rank from the junior rank of [[Captain (armed forces)|captain]] in the [[Indian Army]], the term ''Captain (IN)'' is used.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Defence College |url=https://ndc.nic.in/FormerStaff.aspx?MenuId=9fsPy+KlrLAnIwEsuaB4ZA== |website=National Defence College |access-date=2021-06-25 |archive-date=2021-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625100649/https://ndc.nic.in/FormerStaff.aspx?MenuId=9fsPy+KlrLAnIwEsuaB4ZA== |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==History==
==History==
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==Appointments==
==Appointments==
Captains in the Indian Navy command the important ships. Officers in the rank of captain also serve as [[executive officer]]s of shore establishments like [[INS Valsura]], [[INS Shivaji]], etc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Officer {{!}} insshivaji |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/insshivaji/content/executive-officer#:~:text=Captain%20Rohit%20Pant&text=Tech%20in%20Mechanical%20Engineering%20from%20Naval%20College%20of%20Engineering%2C%20INS%20Shivaji. |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Officer {{!}} insvalsura |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/insvalsura/content/executive-officer#:~:text=Captain%20Arun%20Kumar%20Peri%2C%20(51703,alumnus%20of%2013th%20course%20NEC. |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> The [[naval attaché]]s and naval advisors at India's high commissions and embassies in most countries are officers of the rank of captain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Officers |url=https://www.eoibeijing.gov.in/officers.php |website=eoibeijing.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Embassy of India Tokyo, Japan |url=https://www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in/eoityo_pages/NQ,, |website=www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=High Commission of India, Canberra, Australia : High Commission Officers |url=https://www.hcicanberra.gov.in/page/high-commission-officers/ |website=www.hcicanberra.gov.in}}</ref> At Naval headquarters, captains hold the appointments of directors of directorates and branches.
Captains in the Indian Navy command the important ships. Officers in the rank of captain also serve as [[executive officer]]s of shore establishments like [[INS Valsura]], [[INS Shivaji]], etc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Officer {{!}} insshivaji |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/insshivaji/content/executive-officer#:~:text=Captain%20Rohit%20Pant&text=Tech%20in%20Mechanical%20Engineering%20from%20Naval%20College%20of%20Engineering%2C%20INS%20Shivaji. |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Officer {{!}} insvalsura |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/insvalsura/content/executive-officer#:~:text=Captain%20Arun%20Kumar%20Peri%2C%20(51703,alumnus%20of%2013th%20course%20NEC. |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> The [[naval attaché]]s and naval advisors at India's high commissions and embassies in most countries are officers of the rank of captain.<ref>{{cite web |title=Officers |url=https://www.eoibeijing.gov.in/officers.php |website=eoibeijing.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Embassy of India Tokyo, Japan |url=https://www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in/eoityo_pages/NQ,, |website=www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=High Commission of India, Canberra, Australia : High Commission Officers |url=https://www.hcicanberra.gov.in/page/high-commission-officers/ |website=www.hcicanberra.gov.in}}</ref> At Naval headquarters, captains hold the appointments of directors of directorates and branches.
===Indian Navy Medical Service===
Surgeon Captains in the [[Armed Forces Medical Services|Indian Navy Medical Service]] are usually appointed as [[Medical specialty|Head of Department]] in larger fleet hospitals such as [[INHS Asvini]], or as [[Commanding Officer|Commanding officers]] (CO) in smaller fleet hospitals such as [[Indian Naval Academy#INHS Navjivani|INHS Navjivani]], or may serve in a staff role as Fleet Medical Advisor.


==Insignia==
==Insignia==
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==Pay scale==
==Pay scale==
Captains are at pay level 13, with a monthly pay between ₹130,600 and ₹215,900 with a monthly service pay of ₹15,500. This is the first selection-grade rank. The promotion to the rank can happen through selection or on time-scale basis. A minimum of 15 years of commissioned service is required for an officer to be considered in the selection grade. This is the highest rank which may be attained by officers on time-scale promotion if not promoted to captain by selection after 26 years of commissioned service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 November 2015 |date=20 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=DelhiJune 29 |first1=India Today Web Desk New |last2=June 29 |first2=India Today Web Desk New |last3=Ist |first3=India Today Web Desk New |title=7th Pay Commission cleared: What is the Pay Commission? How does it affect salaries? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/7th-pay-commission-cleared-what-is-pay-commission-how-does-it-effect-our-pockets-16980-2016-06-29 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pay Scale of Officers - Join Indian Navy {{!}} Government of India |url=https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/en/page/pay-scale-of-officers.html |website=www.joinindiannavy.gov.in}}</ref>
Captains are at pay level 13, with a monthly pay between {{INRConvert|130600}} and {{INRConvert|215900}} with a monthly service pay of {{INRConvert|15500}}. This is the first selection-grade rank. The promotion to the rank can happen through selection or on time-scale basis. A minimum of 15 years of commissioned service is required for an officer to be considered in the selection grade. This is the highest rank which may be attained by officers on time-scale promotion if not promoted to captain by selection after 26 years of commissioned service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 November 2015 |date=20 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=DelhiJune 29 |first1=India Today Web Desk New |last2=June 29 |first2=India Today Web Desk New |last3=Ist |first3=India Today Web Desk New |title=7th Pay Commission cleared: What is the Pay Commission? How does it affect salaries? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/7th-pay-commission-cleared-what-is-pay-commission-how-does-it-effect-our-pockets-16980-2016-06-29 |website=India Today |date=29 June 2016 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pay Scale of Officers - Join Indian Navy {{!}} Government of India |url=https://www.joinindiannavy.gov.in/en/page/pay-scale-of-officers.html |website=www.joinindiannavy.gov.in}}</ref>


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

Latest revision as of 19:51, 28 December 2025


Captain
Rank insignia of a captain of the Indian Navy
Rank insignia of Surgeon Captain of the Indian Navy
Country India
Service branch Indian Navy
AbbreviationCapt/ Surg Capt
Rank groupSenior officers
RankCaptain
NATO rank codeOF-5
Pay gradeLevel 13
Next higher rankCommodore
Next lower rankCommander
Equivalent ranksColonel (Indian Army)
Group captain (Indian Air Force)

Captain is a rank in the Indian Navy. Captain ranks above the rank of Commander and lower than a Commodore. It is equivalent to colonel in the Indian Army and group captain in the Indian Air Force.

Sharad Sinsunwal in captain insignia

Terminology[edit | edit source]

An officer in command of any warship is informally referred to as "the captain" on board, even if holding a junior rank. The formal title is Commanding officer (CO). Destroyers and frigates afloat were grouped into squadrons, which was commanded by the Captain (D) and Captain (F) respectively.[1] Apart from operational command of the squadron, he also commanded the lead ship of the squadron.

To distinguish the rank from the junior rank of captain in the Indian Army, the term Captain (IN) is used.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

On 21 July 1947, Commanders HMS Choudri and Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman were promoted to the acting rank of Captain, the first Indians to attain the rank. Soman was appointed Chief of Personnel in this rank. After the partition of India, Choudri opted to join the Pakistan Navy and rose to become the first native Commander-in-Chief.[3]

Appointments[edit | edit source]

Captains in the Indian Navy command the important ships. Officers in the rank of captain also serve as executive officers of shore establishments like INS Valsura, INS Shivaji, etc.[4][5] The naval attachés and naval advisors at India's high commissions and embassies in most countries are officers of the rank of captain.[6][7][8] At Naval headquarters, captains hold the appointments of directors of directorates and branches.

Indian Navy Medical Service[edit | edit source]

Surgeon Captains in the Indian Navy Medical Service are usually appointed as Head of Department in larger fleet hospitals such as INHS Asvini, or as Commanding officers (CO) in smaller fleet hospitals such as INHS Navjivani, or may serve in a staff role as Fleet Medical Advisor.

Insignia[edit | edit source]

The badge of rank consists of four rings of gold braid with a loop in the upper ring. A captain wears gorget patches which are golden patches with white braids. In addition to this, the double-breasted reefer jacket has four golden sleeve stripes with a circle above.

Pay scale[edit | edit source]

Captains are at pay level 13, with a monthly pay between 130,600 (US$1,800) and 215,900 (US$3,000) with a monthly service pay of 15,500 (US$220). This is the first selection-grade rank. The promotion to the rank can happen through selection or on time-scale basis. A minimum of 15 years of commissioned service is required for an officer to be considered in the selection grade. This is the highest rank which may be attained by officers on time-scale promotion if not promoted to captain by selection after 26 years of commissioned service.[9][10][11]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "PIB (Defence Wing)" (PDF). pibarchive.nic.in. 6 November 1948.
  2. "National Defence College". National Defence College. Archived from the original on 2021-06-25. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  3. "Higher Ranks for Indian Officers of the R.I.N." (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. 21 July 1947. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. "Executive Officer | insshivaji". www.indiannavy.nic.in.
  5. "Executive Officer | insvalsura". www.indiannavy.nic.in.
  6. "Officers". eoibeijing.gov.in.
  7. "Embassy of India Tokyo, Japan". www.indembassy-tokyo.gov.in.
  8. "High Commission of India, Canberra, Australia : High Commission Officers". www.hcicanberra.gov.in.
  9. . 20 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151120092637/http://7cpc.india.gov.in/pdf/sevencpcreport.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2015. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. DelhiJune 29, India Today Web Desk New; June 29, India Today Web Desk New; Ist, India Today Web Desk New (29 June 2016). "7th Pay Commission cleared: What is the Pay Commission? How does it affect salaries?". India Today.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. "Pay Scale of Officers - Join Indian Navy | Government of India". www.joinindiannavy.gov.in.

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