Indian Army ranks and insignia

[1] In the Army's case, the service retained its pre-independence insignia, comprising the Tudor Crown and four-pointed Bath Star, called the pip.

In May 1949, Lord Mountbatten, the inaugural Governor-General of India, dispatched a note to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, titled Names and Insignia of Indian Armed Forces, containing a list of suggestions regarding the nomenclature of the armed forces that were to be enforced upon the dominion's conversion to a republic.

[2] In September 1949, Nehru forwarded the proposals to the country's minister of defence, Baldev Singh, recommending Mountbatten's suggestions, which were consequently enforced upon India's emergence as a republic on 26 January 1950.

[4] It is awarded exclusively to deemed recipients for recognition of exceptional service and leadership during wartime; however, it does not feature in the Army's organizational structure.

[4] In the Army's history, only two four-star officers have ever been promoted to the rank: Gen. S. H. F. J. Sam Manekshaw in 1973 and Gen. K. M. Cariappa in 1986.

[6] The highest operational rank is General, which is held exclusively by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).

The first Indian to be promoted to the rank was then-Lt. Gen. K. M. Cariappa, following his appointment as the second Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Army in January 1949.

Rama Raghoba Rane, and other ranks including CHM Piru Singh Shekhawat and CQMH Abdul Hamid.

Indian Army officers are continually put through different courses and assessed on merit throughout their career, for promotions and appointments.

Gentlemen Cadets undergo a pre-commission training programme at NDA, IMA/OTA, which is equally divided into terms.

They are treated with great respect as they have a minimum of 28 yrs and over service and are referred to as Sahab by all ranks.

[25] Junior commissioned officers are treated as a separate class and hold many additional privileges.

A few JCOs are directly enrolled as religious teachers and in certain technical arms such as the Corps of Engineers.

According to the proposal, the Indian Army will directly induct JCOs who have cleared the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.

Subsequently, they would be promoted to officers up to the rank of Colonels based on their length of service and qualifications.

Some members of the ruling families of Princely states were given ceremonial honorary ranks during the colonial era.

EIC directors had no authority to revoke or amend the order issued by the British monarch.