Rank Structure : Indian Army

The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. It plays a crucial role in defending the nation's borders and maintaining internal security. The ranks in the Indian Army, in ascending order, are as follows:

Sepoy/Rifleman: This is the lowest rank in the Indian Army. Sepoys serve as infantry soldiers and are the backbone of the army.

Lance Naik: This rank is above Sepoy and is equivalent to a Lance Corporal in other military forces.

Naik: Naik is the next higher rank, equivalent to a Corporal. They serve as team leaders and are responsible for the discipline and training of the soldiers under their command.

Havildar: Havildar is equivalent to a Sergeant in other armies. They are responsible for the administration and supervision of a section or platoon.

Naib Subedar: This rank is equivalent to a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). Naib Subedars are responsible for the training, welfare, and discipline of soldiers under their command.

Subedar: Subedars are also JCOs and serve as platoon commanders or staff officers. They hold significant responsibilities in terms of training, operations, and administration.

Subedar Major: This rank is the highest among the JCOs and is the senior-most Subedar. They serve as the principal advisor to the commanding officer on all matters related to JCOs and soldiers.

Lieutenant: This is the first rank among the commissioned officers. Lieutenants are responsible for the tactical deployment of soldiers and equipment.

Captain: Captains are in charge of company-sized units and are responsible for the training, welfare, and administration of their troops.

Major: Majors hold significant command and staff appointments. They are responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of military operations.

Lieutenant Colonel: Lieutenant Colonels serve as commanding officers of infantry battalions or hold important staff appointments at higher headquarters.

Colonel: Colonels are senior officers responsible for the command of larger units, such as brigades, and also hold staff appointments in various operational and administrative roles.

Brigadier: Brigadiers serve as brigade commanders and are responsible for the operational readiness and effectiveness of their units.

Major General: Major Generals serve as divisional commanders and are responsible for the overall operational readiness and effectiveness of their divisions.

Lieutenant General: Lieutenant Generals hold important command appointments, such as Corps commanders, and are responsible for the operational readiness of large formations.

General: The highest rank in the Indian Army is General. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) holds this rank and is the senior-most officer responsible for the overall functioning, strategic planning, and operational readiness of the entire Indian Army.

Chief of Defence Staff: The Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (CDS) is the professional head and permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) of the Indian Armed Forces. The Chief of Defence Staff is the highest-ranking uniformed officer on active duty in the Indian military and chief military adviser to the Minister of Defence. The Chief also heads the Department of Military Affairs. The CDS is assisted by a vice-chief, the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

Field Marshal: India has a Field Marshal rank, but it is mostly ceremonial. There are no Field Marshals in the army organizational structure at present and it has been conferred on only two officers in the past, the late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and the late Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa. Field Marshals hold their rank for life and are considered to be serving officers until their death. Unlike other officers, they do not draw a pension. A Field Marshal gets the full pay of a general equal to the Chief of the Army Staff. They wear full uniforms on all official occasions.

Indian Army Rank wise Insignia:

Commissioned Officers
Commissioned Officers	Insignia
Field Marshal	National emblem over a crossed sword and baton in a lotus blossom wreath.
Chief of Defence Staff	wreathed tri-service emblem
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 star above
Brigadier	Three stars in triangle and national emblem above
Colonel	Two stars and 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
Junior Commissioned Officers	Insignia
Subedar Major	National emblem with stripe
Subedar	Two stars with stripes
Naib Subedar	One star with stripes

Other Ranks & Non Commissioned Officers
Commissioned Officers	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 chevron
Sepoy	Plain shoulder badge

Indian Army Rank wise Salary:

Rank / Pay Level	Salary (After 7th Pay Commission)
Chief of Army Staff (Level 18)	INR 2,50,000/- (Fixed)
VCOAS/ Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NEGS) (Level 17)	INR 2,25,000/- (Fixed)
Indian Army Lieutenant General Salary (level 15)	INR 1,82,200/- – INR 2,24,100/-
Indian Army Major General Salary (level 14)	INR 1,44,200/- – INR 2,18,200/-
Indian Army Brigadier Salary (level 13 A)	INR 1,39,600/- – INR 2,17,600/-
Indian Army Colonel Salary (level 13)	INR 1,30,600/- – INR 2,15,900/-
Indian Army Lieutenant Colonel Salary (level 12)	INR 1,21,200/- - INR 2,12,400/-
Indian Army Major Salary (level 11)	INR 69400/- - INR 2,07,200/-
Indian Army Captain Salary (level 10 B)	INR 61,300/- - INR 1,93,900/-
Indian Army Lieutenant Salary (level 10)	INR 56,100/- – INR 1,77,500/-
Indian Army Subedar Major Salary (level 8)	INR 34,800/-
Indian Army Subedar Salary (level 7)	INR 34,800/-
Indian Army Naib Subedar Salary (level 6)	INR 34,800/-
Indian Army Havaldar Salary (level 5)	INR 34,800/-
Indian Army Naik Salary (level 4)	INR 20,200/-
Indian Army Lance Naik Salary (level 3)	INR 20,200/-
Indian Army Sepoy Salary (level 3)	INR 20,200/-

Indian Army Rank wise Retirement Age: