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23 Indian Army Ranks And Insignia For You To Know As A Citizen
2 days ago
10 min read

Every Indian citizen must be grateful to those warriors at the frontier, who guarantee that we lead a peaceful life in our nation. Our gratitude for them would soothe their courageous souls and pull them on, despite their maimed bodies.

Indian Army is a volunteer service and is considered best because of its major contribution to the UN's peace operation. It has also brought Operation Brass Tacks into play, South Asia's most controversial peace-time movement ever.

If you are a patriotic Indian, the massive incidents like the Kargil war and surgical strike will stand high in your minds. These were possible because of the endeavours carried forward by the brave soldiers, who were led by the young determined marshals.

Younger generation people being more vibrant need to be well civilized with the knowledge of the Indian army and various army officers rank in practice. This is not only to recognise the brave officials leading the parade towards every victory but also to empower citizens to enrol for those listed in army ranks list.

There are many ranks in the Indian army classified as Commissioned Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks, each owning unique and insightful insignia. Such brilliant badges adorn the esteemed uniforms of our proud and selfless fighters!

Presenting the list of Indian Army Ranks and Insignia:

1. Field marshal (OF-10 NATO CODE)

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The highest rank in the Indian Army, Field Marshal, is occasional and has a validity of life-time charge in this position. The insignia shows up our national emblem upon the crossed baton and sabre which is bounded by lotus blossom wreath. The crimson collar patch has five golden stars and golden laurel wreath. There have been only two appointments for this post.

2. General (OF-9)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

The next highest rank in Indian Army is the General post with insignia that denotes crossed over baton and sabre upon which national emblem is followed by a five-pointed star. The collar patch consists of one star less than that of the Field Marshal and a golden laurel wreath. This is equivalent to the senior-most civil servant of India. Either at the age of 62 or three years as Chief Of the Army Staff (COAS) will lead to retirement from this rank.

3. Lieutenant General (OF-8)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

This Indian Army rank requires 36 years of commissioned service experience. The badge of this military rank is a national emblem over crossed baton and sabre. The crimson patch holds simply three golden stars for corps commanders and a golden laurel wreath adds to three stars when it comes to army and theatre commanders. Retirement age is 60.

4. Major general (OF-7)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

Over 600 Major Generals are working in Indian army. The eligibility to acquire this title is 28 years of experience in commissioned service. The insignia of this Indian army rank represents a five-pointed star over a crossed baton and sabre. The crimson patch consists of two golden stars. The age of retirement is 58.

5. Brigadier (OF-6)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

A brigadier’s job is to command the brigade. There are approximately 2000 brigadiers in the Indian army. The insignia possesses a national emblem over three five-pointed stars forming a triangle. The crimson patch is decorated with one golden star. The official’s retirement age is 56.

6. Colonel (OF-5)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

A common Indian army ranking we’ve come across is this Colonel rank. The insignia owns a national emblem placed over two five-pointed stars. The collar patch has golden braids. A 15 years experience as a commissioned servant is required for selection and 26 years of commissioned service allows time scale promotion. Retirement age is quoted as 54.

7. Lieutenant Colonel (OF-4)

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This one among all Indian army ranks requires eligibility of clearing part D exam and reasonable 13 years of experience as a commissioned servant. Insignia is designed as a national emblem upon a five-pointed star. 

This rank in Indian army has no collar patch and retirement is not applicable; these are the same for the successive ranks too. Do you know? M.S.Dhoni and Kapil Dev held the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel; former in the Parachute Regiment and the latter in the Territorial Army.

8. Major (OF-3)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

The Lieutenant Colonel rank is followed by the Major in the rank list that requires the clearance of part B exam and 6 years of commissioned service. A national emblem is its insignia with no crimson patch and retirement age limit. Deepak Rao, scientist and author, was honoured with the honorary commission as Major in the Territorial Army.

9. Captain (OF-2)

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On completing two years of commissioned service, the official is eligible for the Captain rank of Indian army. Three five-pointed stars ensemble Captain rank’s insignia. 

10. Lieutenant (OF-1)

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With a pay level of 10, commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army, is the required eligibility to acquire the Lieutenant rank in Indian army. Its insignia holds two five-pointed stars. It has no collar patch insight.

11. Officer Cadet (OF(D) and student officer)

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The Officer Cadet is the last one in the army rank list that requires formal posting in Indian Army. Unlike the previous ranks, the insignia and crimson patch vary. The training academy name is tagged on shoulders and this is not the insignia. The crimson patch puts up respective terms and company badges. 

The following are Junior Commissioned officers ranks in the Indian army:

12. Subedar Major (Infantry and other arms) and Risaldar Major (Cavalry and armour) (OR-9)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

Both these senior-most posts of Indian army are equivalent in rank, but different categories. Still, they have the same insignia and retirement age. The insignia for this rank of the Indian army has a golden national emblem with stripes. Retirement is likely for that comes first - age of 54 or 34 years of service.

13. Subedar (Infantry and other arms) and Risaldar (Cavalry and armour) (OR-8)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

These two positions with the same rank in the Indian army list, have insignia with two golden stars with a stripe. A 30 years service or age of 52, which is sooner, will need the official to retire.

14. Naib Subedar (Infantry and other arms) and Naib Risaldar (Cavalry and armour) (OR-7)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

Its insignia possesses one golden star with a stripe. Retirement requirement for this Indian army rank is either 28 years of service or the age of 52.

The other ranks in the Indian Army ranks list include Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and soldiers

15. Havildar (Infantry and other arms) and Daffadar (Cavalry and Armour) (OR-6 & OR-5)

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The Havildar and Daffadar have the same rank in the Indian army. The insignia seems to have three rank chevrons. Either 26 years of service or on completion of 49 years of age, subject to retirement whichever is in advance.

16. Naik (Infantry and other arms) and Lance Daffadar (Cavalry and Armour) (OR-4)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

These two posts of the same rank have insignia with one rank chevron less than the previous one. Retirement of this Indian army rank is subjected to 23 years of service or at the age of 49.

17. Lance Naik (Infantry and other arms) and Acting Lance Daffadar (Cavalry and Armour) (OR-3)

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

This Indian army rank’s insignia is single rank chevron. Retirement is valid on completion of 19 years of experience or at the age of 48.

18. Sepoy (Infantry and other arms) and Sowar (Cavalry and Armour) (OR-2 & OR-1)

The Sepoy and Sowar are positioning in the Soldier category with the same rank in the Indian army. Plain shoulder badge is its insignia. Retirement on whichever comes in advance - either 15 years and 56 days of service or at the age of 42.

The following are those Indian army ranks which are not in use:

19. Second Lieutenant

It was a junior commissioned officer military rank of the Indian army. As this is not currently in use, all new officers are assigned as Lieutenants. The insignia at shoulder shows a five-pointed golden star.

The following are non-commissioned officers ranks in the Indian army which has arm insignia.

20. Regimental Havildar Major 

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

This Indian army rank is an equivalent of the Regimental Sergeant Major of British and other armies. Its insignia represents the national emblem mounted upon Asoka chakra and is bounded by lotus blossom wreath.

21. Regimental Quartermaster Havildar

ranks in the Indian army, army ranks, Indian army ranks, list of army ranks, military ranks, ranks in the army with insignia, ranks and insignia, Indian army, commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, junior commissioned officerslink

The Regimental Quartermaster Havildar is an equivalent Indian army rank of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. Its arm insignia has the Asoka lion emblem surrounded by lotus blossom wreath.

22. Company Havildar Major 

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It was the senior-most rank among the non-commissioned ranks of a Company in the Indian army that is equivalent to the Company Sergeant Major rank. It is represented by the Asoka lion emblem as arm insignia.

23. Company Quartermaster Havildar

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The official at this army rank helped quartermaster by managing Company stores. The insignia was the Ashoka lion emblem upon three chevrons.

Yes! You have reached the end of the Indian army rank list. Now you are enlightened with vast and various Indian army ranks, their importance and how each Indian army rank differs from the other. Surely, this would have ignited your patriotic souls to aim at the desired ranks and to work for our nation!

Looking forward to young and proud fighters like the Wing Commander Abhinandan and the Captain Baba Harbajan! Jai Hind!

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