Indian officers were promoted to this rank on the basis of both lengths of service and individual merit.

This was to remain the approximate proportion until the number of British junior officers in a regiment increased later in the 18th century.

Promoted from the ranks and usually advanced through seniority based on long service; the typical subedar of this period was a relatively elderly veteran with limited English, whose extensive regimental experience and practical knowledge was not matched by formal education or training.

[6][circular reference] In the Indian Army the rank has been promoted to second senior-most JCO with a ribbon band on the shoulder strap of two gold stars with a gold-red-gold stripe below.

[7] In the Pakistan Army, the rank has been retained as a senior JCO, but the distinguishing ribbon band on the shoulder strap is now red-green-red.