Indian Army Ranks and Insignia are discussed here in detail from officers, JCO to NCO. This is very important from SSB point of view. Read full article to know more
Many aspirants work hard to fulfill their dream to join Indian Army Ranks. Interested individuals should be aware of the several positions and the rank order before applying for any post. The main aim of the Indian Army is to safeguard the nation from external threats. It also maintains peace and security at the border. The Indian Army is a very disciplined force that follows strict rules and regulations. As per the Global Firepower Index (GFP), the Indian army is the fourth most powerful military in the world.
Indian Army Ranks and Insignia
The Indian army maintains unity in the country and they are always ready to handle any emergency in the future. They are capable enough to work in any situation and circumstance. Ranks of the Indian Army are classified into three categories that are Commissioned Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and Other Ranks (Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers).
Indian Army Ranks of Commissioned Officers
| Sr No | Ranks |
| 1 | Field Marshal |
| 2 | General |
| 3 | Lieutenant General |
| 4 | Major General |
| 5 | Brigadier |
| 6 | Colonel |
| 7 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 8 | Major |
| 9 | Captain |
| 10 | Lieutenant |
Detail of Indian Army commissioned officers
- Field Marshal- Field Marshal is a five-star general officer rank in the Indian Army. The insignia of the field marshal has a national emblem over a crossed sword and baton in a lotus blossom wreath.
- General-The general officer is a four-star rank officer and is next to Field Marshal. The insignia of a general officer consists of Crossed sword and baton with a star and national emblem.
- Lieutenant general-is a three-star rank commissioned officer and is the second highest rank army officer. The Lieutenant general insignia has Crossed sword and baton with the national emblem above.
- Major general- is a two-star general officer rank in the Indian Army. The Major general insignia has a Crossed sword and baton with the star above. The major general Collar patches have two golden stars.
- Brigadier- is a one-star rank in the Indian Army and the Brigadier insignia has three stars in a triangle and National Emblem above.
- Colonel is the highest field-grade officer. The insignia of the Colonel consists of Two stars and the national emblem above.
- Lieutenant Colonel- is a commissioned officer in Indian Army. A lieutenant colonel has a charge of hundreds of soldiers or a general staff officer in a division. The insignia of Lieutenant Colonel has a One Star and National Emblem above.
- Major –is a military rank standing above the captain. The insignia of the Major has a National Emblem.
- Captain- is a commissioned officer in Indian Army and the insignia of the captain is Three stars in one line.
- Lieutenant- is the junior rank of a commissioned officer. The Lieutenant supervises 40 to 60 subordinates under him. The lieutenant insignia has Two stars in one line.
Commissioned Officers- Ranks and Insignia in Indian Army
| Commissioned Officers | Insignia |
| Field Marshal | National emblem over a crossed sword and baton in a lotus blossom wreath. |
| General | Crossed sword and baton with star and national emblem. |
| Lieutenant general | Crossed sword and baton with national emblem above. |
| Major general | Crossed sword and baton with the star above |
| Brigadier | Three stars in a triangle and National Emblem above |
| Colonel | Two stars and the national emblem above |
| Lieutenant Colonel | One Star and National Emblem above |
| Major | National Emblem |
| Captain | Three stars in one line |
| Lieutenant | Two stars in one line |
Junior Commissioned Officers- Ranks & Insignia in Indian Army
JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officers) are equal to Group B gazetted officers. JCOs have three different roles as Subedar Major, Subedar, and Naib Subedar.
| Junior Commissioned Officers | Insignia |
| Subedar Major | National Emblem |
| Subedar | Two stars in one line |
| Naib Subedar | One star |
Other ranks (Non-Commissioned Officer)
| Non-Commissioned Officer | Insignia |
| CQMH (Company Quarter Master Havildar) | Three Strips and Ashoka Chakra on top |
| Havildar | Three rank chevrons |
| Naik | Two rank chevrons |
| Lance Naik | Single rank chevrons |
| Sepoy | Plain shoulder badge only |