Army Ranks and Insignia of India: 7 Inspiring Insights"

Army Ranks and Insignia of India: The Indian Army trains individuals for land-based combat and offers two types of commissions: permanent and short service. Permanent commissions, like those through NDA, IMA, and TES, involve a lifelong commitment. Short Service Commissions, available via TGC, JAG, and NCC entries, last for ten years. This article explores Indian Army ranks and insignia, detailing how to join with or without exams. Upholding values of service and patriotism, the Indian Army welcomes all Indian citizens who meet specific physical, medical, and educational criteria.

Indian Army Ranks and Insignia of India: Categories

Indian army officers’ ranks are classified into the following three categories: 

• Commissioned Officers. 
• Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs). 
• Other Ranks (Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers). 

The Indian army officers’ ranks depend on a candidate’s qualifications, performance, and experience in a specific field. The posts of the Commissioned Officers fall under the Group A Service Officers. Meanwhile, the posts of Junior Commissioned Officers belong to the Group B Gazetted Officers.  

An army officer is in charge of a certain department or regime under them. They are responsible for the supervision and management of the allotted unit as per the rules and regulations. Every category has a unique Indian army ranks and insignia of India that reflects their position and achievements. 

Army Ranks and Insignia of India: Commissioned Officers Explained   

Army Ranks and Insignia of India: Commissioned officers are the army leaders who command from any location and oversee all ranks under their authority. They are comparable to All India services and Group A service officers. In the Indian Army, there are ten commissioned officer ranks, with Field Marshal being the highest and Lieutenant the most junior. Depending on their regiment, commissioned officers wear dress logos in gold, black, or silver to denote their rank.

Check out this table of Indian army rank and insignia for Commissioned Officers.  

Rank of Commissioned Officer	Insignia
Field Marshall	National emblem over a crossed sword and baton in a lotus blossom wreath.
General	Crossed sword and baton with a star and national emblem.
Lieutenant General	Crossed sword and baton with the national emblem above.
Major General	Crossed sword and baton with the star above.
Brigadier	Three stars in a triangle and a National Emblem above.
Colonel	Two stars and the national emblem above.
Lieutenant Colonel	Crossed sword and baton with the star above.
Major	National Emblem.
Captain	Three stars in one line.
Lieutenant	Two stars in one line.

Army Ranks and Insignia of India: Junior Commissioned Officers

Army Ranks and Insignia of India: Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) are promoted from the Non-Commissioned Officer ranks and are comparable to warrant officers in Western armies. Promotion to JCO ranks is based on merit, seniority, and available vacancies. JCOs hold supervisory roles, overseeing the training, discipline, and welfare of the soldiers under their command.

Check out the table of Indian army rank and insignia for JCOs.  

Junior Commissioning Officer	Insignia
Subedar Major	National Emblem
Subedar	Two stars in one line
Naib Subedar	One Star

JCOs who hold the rank of Subedar and Naib Subedar work as platoon commanders in an infantry company on behalf of Lieutenants. They work closely with the commissioned officer. Meanwhile, JCOs who hold the rank of Subedar Major need to oversee the day-to-day management of the battalion. They are the chief advisors of the commanding officer. All ranks may refer to them as SM Sahab. 

Non-Commissioned Officers: Indian Military Ranks & Insignia 

Army Ranks and Insignia of India: Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are positioned below commissioned and junior commissioned officers and are often known as jawans or sepoys. Comparable to sergeants or corporals in Western armies, senior NCOs typically advance to junior commissioned officer (JCO) roles. These senior soldiers are tasked with training junior officers and ensuring the implementation of orders from commissioned officers at the ground level. According to the Regiment or Corps pattern, NCOs are authorized to wear Chevron insignia.

Check out this table of Indian army rank and insignia for NCOs.  

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.

Joining the Indian Army as an Officer  

Army officer recruitment offers various paths, including roles in infantry, aviation, artillery, and engineering. Candidates should tailor their preparation to the specific officer post they are applying for and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.

The Indian Army offers two types of commissions:

1. Permanent Commission: Officers serve until retirement. Entry points include NDA, CDS (IMA), and TES.
2. Short Service Commission: Officers serve up to ten years, with options to extend service or transition to a permanent commission. Entries include CDS (OTA), SSC Tech, NCC, and JAG.

Candidates can join through written exams or direct entry. Here’s how to navigate the application process for both.

Also Read: Indian Army Salary 2022: Job Profile, pay scale, Allowances, and other benefits

Steps to Join the Indian Army with Exam  

To become an officer in the Indian army, a candidate must complete a 10+2 education. The minimum aggregate should be 60%. After they have completed 10+2, they have the following options: 

NDA Entry  

1. The candidate needs to clear the NDA Entrance Exam. 

2. Those who clear the exam are required to go through a four-year training period which is divided into 3 years at NDA and 1 year at IMA.  

Combined Defense Services Entry 

1. Candidates must pursue their undergraduate in any specialization to appear for the UPSC-CDS examination. This is followed by a physical examination. 

2. On selection for OTA (Officer’s Training Academy), candidates will be trained for 49 weeks. 

Territorial Army (TA) Entry 

1. Candidates need to take a written examination. Upon clearing it, they must qualify for the Preliminary Interview Board (PIB) interview, SSB interview, and a medical examination. 

2. On selection, candidates must go through one month of basic training in the first year of commission. Then undergo two months of annual training camp every year including the first year and three months of post-commissioning training within the first two years at IMA Dehradun. This training is essential for understanding the army ranks and insignia of India, as it prepares officers for their roles and responsibilities within the military hierarchy.

Steps to Join the Indian Army Without Exam  

Direct Entries do not have a written exam. Candidates can directly go for the SSB Interview. The direct entries are as follows: 

Technical Entry Scheme (TES) Entry 

1. For TES entry, candidates must have cleared the 10+2 examination. It includes a minimum aggregate of 70% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. 

2. On clearing the SSB interview and medical examination, candidates are required to go through four years of pre-commission training. It is followed by one year of post-commission training.  

Technical Graduates Course Entry (TGC) 

1. For TGC entry, candidates who are in their final year of engineering can apply. They will be shortlisted based on the cut-offs announced for different streams.  

2. On clearing the SSB interview and the Medical examination, the chosen candidates will have to go through one-year pre-commissioned training at the IMA, Dehradun. 

National Cadet Corps Special Entry (NCC) 

1. For NCC entry, candidates must be a graduates with an NCC “C” Certificate. They must have a minimum percentage of 50% in their graduation and a minimum grade of ‘B’ on their NCC “C” certificate. 

2. All graduates with an NCC “C” Certificate can apply for the NCC Special Entry Scheme. They need to have a minimum grade of ‘B’ on their NCC ‘C’ certificate with a minimum graduation mark of 50 percent. 

Short Service Commission Technical Entry (SSC Tech) 

1. For SSC tech entry, a candidate must be a technical graduate.  

2. On successfully clearing the SSB interview and Medical examination, selected candidates must go through a 49-week pre-commissioning training at OTA, Chennai. 

Judge Advocate General Entry (JAG) 

1. For JAG entry, a candidate must have a law degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 55%. 

2. On clearing the SSB interview and medical examination, selected candidates are required to undergo training for 49 weeks at Chennai’s Officers Training Academy (OTA). 

University Entry Scheme Entry (UES) 

• For UES entry, a candidate must be in their final year of engineering for a Permanent Commission. 
• On clearing the SSB interview and medical examination, selected candidates must go through one year of training at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.  

Also Read: Upcoming Government Exams

Indian Army Post Lists and Recruitment: Final Takeaway 

The Indian Army offers a prestigious career for officers through various recruitment pathways, including direct entry and written exams. Officers advance in rank based on performance, merit, and experience, with each rank having a distinct insignia that reflects their achievements. This structure of army ranks and insignia of India system ensures promotions are merit-based, allowing officers to take on greater responsibilities. Understanding the ranks and insignia is essential for aspiring candidates to navigate their career progression and appreciate the honor associated with each rank.

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.

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