Military Ranks of India 🇮🇳
Overview
The Indian armed forces, known as the "Indian Armed Forces" or "Bharatiya Sashatra Sena," are one of the largest and most diverse military forces in the world, comprising several branches:
- Indian Army: The Indian Army is the land-based military branch responsible for ground operations. It includes infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. The Army plays a crucial role in defending India's borders and ensuring national security.
- Indian Navy: The Indian Navy focuses on maritime defense and security, operating a wide range of vessels, including aircraft carriers, submarines, surface ships, and patrol boats. It is responsible for safeguarding India's maritime interests.
- Indian Air Force: The Indian Air Force is responsible for aerial defense and operations. It operates fighter aircraft, transport planes, helicopters, and has a growing space capability, ensuring air superiority and national defense.
- Indian Coast Guard: While primarily a law enforcement agency, the Indian Coast Guard also serves a military role during times of war or national security needs. It is responsible for maritime law enforcement and search and rescue.
Indian Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshal of the Indian Air Force |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| Air chief marshal |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Air marshal |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Air vice marshal |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Air commodore |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Group captain |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Wing commander |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Squadron leader |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Flight lieutenant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Flying officer |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Flight cadet |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Master warrant officer |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Warrant officer |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Junior warrant officer |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Sergeant |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Corporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Leading aircraftsman |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Aircraftsman | OR-1 | Private |
Indian Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field marshal |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| General |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Lieutenant general |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Major general |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Brigadier |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Colonel |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Lieutenant colonel |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Major |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Captain |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Officer cadet | OF-D | Student Officer | |
| Subedar Major |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Subedar |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Naib Subedar |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Havildar |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Naik |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Lance Naik |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Sepoy | OR-1 | Private |
Indian Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral of the fleet |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| Admiral |
|
OF-9 | General |
| Vice Admiral |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| Rear Admiral |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| Commodore |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Captain |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| Commander |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Lieutenant commander |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| Lieutenant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Sub-lieutenant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Midshipman |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Master chief petty officer 1st class |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| Master chief petty officer 2nd class |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| Chief petty officer |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| Petty officer |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Leading seaman |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Ordinary seaman | OR-2 | Private |