Army Ranks in India: From Lowest to Highest Complete Guide

Last Updated on January 31, 2026 by Vinod Saini

The Indian Army stands as one of the world’s most prestigious and disciplined fighting forces. For defence aspirants, serving personnel, and patriotic citizens, understanding the army rank structure is essential to appreciating the chain of command that safeguards the nation.

But the hierarchy can be complex. From the highest army rank in India to the foundational soldiers, every position carries specific duties, insignia, and pay scales.

This guide provides an exhaustive analysis of Indian Army all ranks. We cover the ranks of Indian Army from lowest to highest, the official rank wise pay level in army per the 7th Pay Commission, and the equivalent ranks across the tri-services.

Quick Answer: The Structure of Indian Army Ranks

The Indian Army ranks are strictly hierarchical and classified into three distinct categories based on commission and authority:

1. Commissioned Officers (COs): The highest tier of leadership, commissioned by the President of India.

   • Lowest: Lieutenant

   • Highest Active: General (Chief of Army Staff)

   • Highest Ceremonial: Field Marshal

2. Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs): Senior veterans who bridge the gap between officers and troops.

   • Ranks: Naib Subedar, Subedar, Subedar Major.

3. Other Ranks (Non-Commissioned Officers & Soldiers): The backbone of the army.

   • Ranks: Sepoy, Naik, Havildar.

The army ranks in order flow from Sepoy (lowest) up to Field Marshal (highest).

1. Commissioned Officers: The Leaders

Commissioned Officers hold the command and control authority in the Indian Army. Admission into this cadre is highly competitive, often through the NDA, CDS, or OTA exams. Below is the detailed army rank list in India for officers.

Field Marshal (Ceremonial 5-Star Rank)

• Status: The absolute top army rank in India. It is a ceremonial wartime rank and is never retired.

• Insignia: National Emblem over a crossed baton and saber within a lotus wreath.

• Key Fact: Only two officers have ever held this rank: Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa.

General (Chief of Army Staff)

• Status: The highest active rank held by a serving officer.

• Role: Commands the entire Indian Army.

• Insignia: National Emblem over a five-pointed star and a crossed baton and saber.

• Pay Level: Level 18 (Fixed Salary).

Lieutenant General

• Selection: By selection only.

• Role: Commander of a Corps (Corps Commander) or an Army Command (Army Commander).

• Insignia: National Emblem over crossed baton and saber.

Major General

• Role: General Officer Commanding (GOC) a Division (10,000–15,000 troops).

• Insignia: One five-pointed star over crossed baton and saber.

Brigadier

• Role: Commander of a Brigade.

• Insignia: National Emblem over three stars in a triangular formation.

Colonel

• Role: Commanding Officer (CO) of a Battalion or Regiment. This is a pivotal rank in an officer’s career.

• Insignia: National Emblem over two stars.

Lieutenant Colonel

• Promotion: Time-scale promotion after 13 years of service.

• Role: Second-in-Command of a Battalion.

• Insignia: National Emblem over one star.

Major

• Promotion: Time-scale promotion after 6 years of service.

• Insignia: National Emblem.

Captain

• Promotion: Time-scale promotion after 2 years of service.

• Insignia: Three five-pointed stars.

Lieutenant

• Entry Level: The first rank commissioned after training.

• Insignia: Two five-pointed stars.

2. Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs)

JCOs are unique to the Indian subcontinent’s military tradition. They are promoted from the ranks of soldiers but hold Gazetted status (Class B). They serve as the critical link between the officers and the troops.

• Subedar Major: The senior-most JCO in a battalion. They act as the primary advisor to the Commanding Officer.

  • Insignia: National Emblem with a stripe.

• Subedar: Commands a Platoon.

  • Insignia: Two gold stars with a stripe.

• Naib Subedar: The first JCO rank.

  • Insignia: One gold star with a stripe.

3. Other Ranks (NCOs and Soldiers)

These brave men and women form the operational core of the army.

• Havildar: A Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).

  • Insignia: Three rank chevrons (stripes) on the sleeve.

• Naik: An NCO rank.

  • Insignia: Two rank chevrons.

• Sepoy: The starting rank for a soldier.

  • Insignia: Plain shoulder badge (Unit Name).

Rank Wise Pay Level in Army (7th Pay Commission)

One of the most frequently searched topics is the rank wise pay level in army. The 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) standardized the salary structure, introducing a Pay Matrix that replaces the old Grade Pay system.

Below is the definitive table for the army rank structure and corresponding pay.

Rank Category	Rank	Pay Level	Basic Pay Scale (Approx.)
Officers	General (COAS)	Level 18	₹ 2,50,000 (Fixed)
	Lt General	Level 15-17	₹ 1,82,200 – ₹ 2,25,000
	Major General	Level 14	₹ 1,44,200 – ₹ 2,18,200
	Brigadier	Level 13A	₹ 1,39,600 – ₹ 2,17,600
	Colonel	Level 13	₹ 1,30,600 – ₹ 2,15,900
	Lt Colonel	Level 12A	₹ 1,21,200 – ₹ 2,12,400
	Major	Level 11	₹ 69,400 – ₹ 2,07,200
	Captain	Level 10B	₹ 61,300 – ₹ 1,93,900
	Lieutenant	Level 10	₹ 56,100 – ₹ 1,77,500
JCOs	Subedar Major	Level 8	₹ 47,600 – ₹ 1,51,100
	Subedar	Level 7	₹ 44,900 – ₹ 1,42,400
	Naib Subedar	Level 6	₹ 35,400 – ₹ 1,12,400
Other Ranks	Havildar	Level 5	₹ 29,200 – ₹ 92,300
	Naik	Level 4	₹ 25,500 – ₹ 81,100
	Sepoy	Level 3	₹ 21,700 – ₹ 69,100

Note: In addition to Basic Pay, personnel receive Military Service Pay (MSP), Dearness Allowance (DA), High Altitude Allowance, and other benefits, significantly increasing the in-hand salary.

Tri-Service Equivalent Ranks

For candidates appearing for SSB interviews or defence exams, knowing the equivalent ranks is mandatory. Here is how the Indian Army ranks compare with the Navy and Air Force.

Indian Army	Indian Navy	Indian Air Force
General	Admiral	Air Chief Marshal
Lt General	Vice Admiral	Air Marshal
Major General	Rear Admiral	Air Vice Marshal
Brigadier	Commodore	Air Commodore
Colonel	Captain	Group Captain
Lt Colonel	Commander	Wing Commander
Major	Lt Commander	Squadron Leader
Captain	Lieutenant	Flight Lieutenant
Lieutenant	Sub Lieutenant	Flying Officer

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Final Thoughts

The army rank structure is a pyramid of responsibility, where every step up demands greater sacrifice and leadership. Whether you are looking for the rank wise pay level in army or simply researching the ranks of indian army from lowest to highest, we hope this guide serves as a valuable resource.

The path to wearing these ranks is challenging, but the honour of serving the nation is unparalleled.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who holds the absolute highest army rank in India?

The highest rank is Field Marshal, a ceremonial 5-star rank held for life. However, the highest rank a serving officer can achieve in active duty is General (Chief of Army Staff).

2. How many years does it take to become a Colonel in the Indian Army?

Becoming a Colonel is a major milestone. Officers usually reach this rank after 15 to 17 years of service. It is a “Selection Grade” rank, meaning promotion is based on merit and annual confidential reports, not just years of service.

3. What is the correct order of Army ranks from lowest to highest?

The order for commissioned officers is:

Lieutenant → Captain → Major → Lt Colonel → Colonel → Brigadier → Major General → Lt General → General.

4. Do Indian Army officers get a pension?

Yes, Indian Army personnel are entitled to a pension after completing the minimum required service (usually 20 years for officers and 15 years for JCOs/ORs). The pension is calculated based on the last drawn salary and rank.

5. How can I identify a Brigadier by their uniform?

You can identify a Brigadier by looking at their shoulder insignia. They wear the National Emblem over three five-pointed stars arranged in a triangular formation. They also wear a red collar patch with one golden star (gorget patch).

6. Is the rank of Second Lieutenant still used?

No. The rank of Second Lieutenant was abolished in the Indian Army. Now, all officers are commissioned directly as Lieutenants.

Disclaimer: Pay scales and protocols are subject to government revision. Always refer to official Ministry of Defence notifications for the latest statutory orders.