Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia

Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia: When we talk about the Indian Army, it plays a vital role in Indian Armed Forces. The main objective of the Indian Army is ‘Sewa Paramo Dharma‘ which means ‘selfless act that aims to protect, help, and provide for underprivileged human beings and animals ‘.

Indian Armed Forces form a hierarchical structure with various ranks that signify the personnel’s authority, responsibility, and position. Ranks in the Indian Army played a crucial role in maintaining discipline, command structure, and operational effectiveness.

Understanding the Rank Structure in the Indian Army

India is a very vast country and Global Firepower Index(GFP) India has the 4th largest army in the world and so it has a hierarchical structure. Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia are categorized into three categories.

• Commissioned officers (CO)
• Junior commissioned officers (JCO)
• Non Commissioned officers and Soldiers

Commissioned Officers: The Backbone of Leadership

In the Indian Army, Commissioned officers are also known as the backbone of the leadership. Commissioned Officers are Group ‘A’ Officers honored by the highest ranks in the Indian Army. Commissioned Officers are appointed through Various schemes and training.

Here is the list of the Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army-

Commissioned Officers	Insignia
Field Marshal	National emblem over a crossed sword and baton in a lotus blossom wreath.
General	Crossed sword with a baton star and national emblem
Lieutenant General	Crossed sword and baton with national emblem
Major General	Crossed sword and baton with a star
Brigadier	Crossed sword and baton with the national emblem
Colonel	Insignia consists of a national emblem over a silver-embroidered Ashoka Lion crest.
Lieutenant Colonel	One star and national emblem
Major	Only a National emblem
Captain	Three stars
Lieutenant	Single stars

Indian Army Ranks:

Commissioned Officers(CO)

• Field Marshal(Honorary Rank)- The Rank of the Field Marshal is the highest in Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia. It is an honorary rank and is bestowed in Indian Army. Currently, there is no Field Marshal serving in Indian Army.

• General– Generals are ranked after the Field Marshal and are the highest active-duty rank in the Indian Army. The Chief Of the Army Staff(COAS) holds this rank. The insignia consists of a five-star rank badge, which includes a national emblem over a crossed baton and a saber.

• Lieutenant General– The lieutenant general holds the honorary rank in the Indian army at an operational position. Their Insignia consists of the Crossed sword and baton with the national emblem.

• Major General- Major Generals in the Indian Army are responsible for the command and leading and managing a large group of soldiers. Their Insignia consists of the Crossed sword and baton with a star.

• Brigadier- Brigadier is a one-star rank holder in the Indian army who have a higher rank and position than a colonel. Brigadier commands the forces and brigades of the place. The badge of rank has the National emblem over three five-pointed stars in a triangular formation.

• Colonel- Colonel is the highest-ranked officer in the Indian Army after Brigadier. The colonel is the commanding officer of infantry, armored regiments, and artillery units. Their Insignia consists of the national emblem over a silver-embroidered Ashoka Lion crest.

• Lieutenant Colonel- Controls key command and staff appointments. The lieutenant is in charge of a battalion in the Army. Their Insignia Consists of a national emblem over a silver-embroidered Ashoka Lion crest with a red strip.

• Major- Major is the military rank standing over captain but below Lieutenant Colonel. Major serves as the commanding officers of the companies and smaller units. Their Insignia consists of a national emblem over a gold-embroidered Ashoka Chakra.

• Captain- Captain is the position above the Lieutenant, the role of the Captain is to lead a team of soldiers and ensure their well-being, discipline, and discipline. Their Insignia consists of three stars.

• Lieutenant– The Lieutenant is the lowest-ranked officer in the Commanding Officers list. The lieutenant serves as a platoon commander and junior-level positions. Their Insignia consists of a single star.

So this was the list of the Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia

Junior Commissioned Officers(JCO) of Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia

Junior Commissioned Officers or JCOs are the bridge between Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers. They play a vital role in maintaining discipline, leading troops, and bridging the gap between officers and soldiers.

JCOs are divided into different ranks and positions like Subedar Major, Subedar, and Naib Subedar.

Junior Commissioned Officers	Insignia
Subedar Major	Ashoka Chakra with Gold National Emblem
Subedar	Two stars in one line
Naib Subedar	One star

Junior Commissioned Officers: Bridge between Officers and Soldiers

1. Subedar Major– Subedar Major also known as Risaldar Major occupies the highest rank and position among Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO). They are responsible for maintaining discipline, assisting in administration, and advising the commanding officer. Their Insignia consists of Ashoka Chakra with Gold National Emblem with a red-Gold Strip.

2. Subedar- Subedar is the position between Subedar Major and Naib Subedar.  In the Indian Army, a subedar major is considered the chief advisor of the commanding officer who advises them in critical service matters. their Insignia consists of two stars in one line.

3. Naib Subedar- Naib Subedar is the lowest ranked officer among Junior Commissioned Officers. They are responsible for supervising and managing soldiers within their unit. Their Insignia consists of One star.

So this was the list of Juinor commissioned Officers in Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia.

Non-Commissioned Officers in Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia

Non-commissioned Officers are also known as the backbone of Enlisted personnel. These include Havildar, Naik, Lance Naik, and Sepoy.

Insignia	Insignia
Havildar	Three upward-pointing chevrons
Naik	A single upward-pointing chevron with a star above it
Lance Naik	single upward-pointing chevron
Sepoy	No Insignia

Non-Commissioned Officers

1. Havildar– Havildar in Indian Army is a non-commissioned officer. Their Insignia consists of three upward-pointing chevrons.

2. Naik– Naik is Non-commissioned officers in the Indian Army responsible to hold a group of soldiers, they are equivalent to corporal. Their Insignia Consists of A single upward-pointing chevron with a star above it.

3. Lance-Naik– Lance-Naik is the position below naik in Indian Army. Their Insignia Consists of a Single chevron pointing upward.

4. Sepoy- Sepoy is the lowest-ranked officer in Indian Army, they are used to clear land and building purposes for Indian Army. They do not have any Insignia.

So this was the list of Non-Commissioned Officers in Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia.

Significance of Ranks In Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia

Ranks and Insignia in Indian Army play a very crucial role as it helps to maintain discipline, command structure, and operational effectiveness. It forms a hierarchical structure where every soldier knows their place and whom they have to report. It maintains the authority and experience of the individual at each level.

The Military hierarchical structure is a structured structure where personnel are recognized and awarded based on their skills, potential, performance, and dedication.

Conclusion

So far we have discussed the Indian Army Ranks and Its Insignia and how it plays a very vital role in forming a structured system of each domain of the defense personnel. This Hierarchical structure helps to maintain discipline and respect between soldiers which brings them together to work as a unit and serve the country at the highest level.

Thank you!!!