Indian Army ranks and insignia

The following tables present the ranks of the Indian army. 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.

Field Marshal

India has a Field Marshal rank, but it is mostly honorary. It does not currently exist in the army organizational structure; however, two officers were conferred with this rank, namely the late Sam Manekshaw and the late K M Cariappa. A Field Marshal, unlike other officers, does not draw pension. He gets full pay of General rank equal to COAS until he dies. He wears full uniform on all official occasions and runs an office in Army Head Quarters. He also have a dedicated secretariat of his own.

Officer ranks, insignia and pay structure

*Second lieutenant rank is no longer used, all new officers are commissioned as Lieutenants.

Commissionned Officer Ranks

Army Ranks	Insignia	Notes	Pay Structure
			Basic Pay	Grade Pay	MSP
General (held only by the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee or Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army)		Gold national emblem over a gold star both outlined in red, all over a crossed gold baton and scimitar outlined in red.	90,000 rupees (fixed)	-	-
Lieutenant General VCOS Army Commanders		Gold national emblem outlined in red over a crossed gold baton and scimitar outlined in red.	80,000 rupees (fixed)	-	-
Lieutenant General Top 33.3% by seniority			75,000-80,000 rupees (HAG+) up to 80,000 rupees	-	-
Lieutenant General (Remainder)			67,000-79,000 rupees (HAG) up to 79,000 rupees	-	-
Major General		Gold star outlined in red over a crossed gold baton and scimitar outlined in red.	37,400-67,000 rupees (PB-4)	10,000 rupees	-
Brigadier		Gold national emblem over three gold stars in a triangle formation.		8,900 rupees	6,000 rupees
Colonel		Gold national emblem over two gold stars.		8,700 rupees	6,000 rupees
Lieutenant Colonel		Gold national emblem over one gold star.		8,000 rupees	6,000 rupees
Major		Gold national emblem.	15,600-39,100 rupees (PB-3)	6,600 rupees	6,000 rupees
Captain		Three gold stars.		6,100 rupees	6,000 rupees
Lieutenant		Two gold stars.		5,400 rupees	6,000 rupees

Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO)	Insignia
Subedar Major/Risaldar Major*	Gold national emblem with stripe, he is the assistant of regiment commander (Colonel).
Subedar/Risaldar*	Two Gold stars with stripe
Naib Subedar/Naib Risaldar*	One Gold star with stripe
Other Ranks (OR)	Insignia
Quarter Master Havaldar	Gold national emblem with 3 V-stripes
Havaldar	3 V-stripes
Naik	2 V-stripes
Lance Naik	1 V-stripe
Sepoy	Blank shoulder

Warrant Officer Ranks

Warrant Officer Ranks	Insignia
Warrant officer (Army Postal Service)

List of Grade 'A' or Class-I (Gazetted) ranks

• General
• Lieutenant General
• Major General
• Brigadier
• Colonel
• Lieutenant Colonel
• Major
• Captain
• Lieutenant

List of Grade 'B' or Class-II (Gazetted) ranks

• Subedar-Major (cavalry and armour)
• Subedar/Risaldar
• Naib Subedar/Naib Risaldar

See also

• Comparative military ranks
• Indian military

External links

• World Rank Insignia site
• Rank Insignias - Indian Army