Army is the first line of defence for any country in case of foreign aggression. In India army is a highly respected profession and all want to join it and know about it. It is difficult to deduce the rank of a soldier by looking upon him because of the ornaments and decorations on the uniform which are very confusing for those who do not know about them. We bring to you the insignia of the Indian Army.
The army has following four categories of soldiers in ranks:-
1. Ceremonial Rank
2. Commissioned Officers
3. Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs)
4. Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
Ceremonial Rank
Field Marshal
India has a field marshal rank, but it is 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 Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw and the late Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa 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. He wears full uniform on all official occasions and runs an office in army headquarters. He also has a dedicated secretariat of his own.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- National emblem over a crossed baton and Saber in a Lotus Blossom Wreath
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):-
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):- Crimson patches with Five golden stars
Commissioned Officers
General
Abbreviation:- Gen.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- National emblem over a five-pointed star, all over a crossed baton and Saber
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):-
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):- Crimson patches with Four golden stars
Lieutenant General
Abbreviation:- Lt. Gen.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- A five-pointed star over a crossed baton and Saber
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):-
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):- Crimson patches with Three golden stars
Major General
Abbreviation:- Maj. Gen.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- One five-pointed star over a crossed baton and Saber
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):-
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):- Crimson patches with Two golden stars
Brigadier
Abbreviation:- Brig.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- National emblem over three five-pointed stars in a triangular formation
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):-
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):- Crimson patches with One golden star
Colonel
Abbreviation:- Col.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- National emblem over two five-pointed stars
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):-
Gorget patches (Collar tabs, Collar patches):- Crimson patches with golden braids
Lieutenant Colonel
Abbreviation:- Lt. Col.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- National emblem over five-pointed star
Major
Abbreviation:- Maj.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- National emblem
Captain
Abbreviation:- Capt.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- Three five-pointed stars
Lieutenant
Abbreviation:- Lt.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- Two five-pointed stars
Do not forget to check out the next page for insignia of the JCOs and NCOs.
Junior Commissioned Officers
Subedar Major
Abbreviation:- Sub. Maj.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- Gold national emblem with stripe
Subedar
Abbreviation:- Sub.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- Two gold stars with stripe
Naib Subedar
Abbreviation:- Nb. Sub.
Ornaments on Shoulder:-
Insignia:- One gold star with stripe
Non Commissioned Officers
Regimental Havildar Major
Abbreviation:- RHM
Pattern on Arm:-
Insignia:- An Ashoka lion emblem above with the Ashoka’s chakra in a Lotus Blossom Wreath
Regimental Quarter Master Havildar
Abbreviation:- RQMH
Pattern on Arm:-
Insignia:- An Ashoka lion emblem in a Lotus Blossom Wreath
Company Havildar Major
Abbreviation:- CHM
Pattern on Arm:-
Insignia:- An Ashoka lion emblem
Company Quarter Master Havildar
Abbreviation:- CQMH
Pattern on Arm:-
Insignia:- Three chevrons with an Ashoka lion emblem above
Havildar
Abbreviation:- Hav.
Pattern on Arm:-
Insignia:- Three rank chevrons
Naik
Abbreviation:- Nk.
Pattern on Arm:-
Insignia:- Two rank chevrons
Lance Naik
Abbreviation:- Lk. Nk.
Pattern on Arm:-
Insignia:- Single rank chevron
Sipahi
Other Names:- Sepoy, Gunner, Rifleman, Sapper
Pattern on Arm:-
Insignia:- Plain shoulder badge only
So wasn’t that interesting. Hope now you can recognize a soldier by his dress. Do not forget to share your views in comments below.