referenceArchival Dossier
Military Ranks & Equivalence Across the Indian Army, Indian Navy & Indian Air Force
Reference table of Commissioned Officer, Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), and Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank equivalence across the three Services.
1. Commissioned Officers — Tri-Service Equivalence
| Tier | Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five-Star (Ceremonial / Wartime) | Field Marshal | Admiral of the Fleet | Marshal of the Indian Air Force |
| Four-Star (Apex / Chiefs / CDS) | General | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Three-Star | Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal |
| Two-Star | Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal |
| One-Star | Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore |
| Senior Field / Command | Colonel | Captain | Group Captain |
| Field / Command | Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander |
| Field Officer | Major | Lieutenant Commander | Squadron Leader |
| Company / Flight Grade | Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant |
| Subaltern / Junior Officer | Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer |
2. Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) & Equivalents
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
|---|---|---|
| Subedar Major | Master Chief Petty Officer Class I | Master Warrant Officer |
| Subedar | Master Chief Petty Officer Class II | Warrant Officer |
| Naib Subedar | Chief Petty Officer | Junior Warrant Officer |
3. Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) & Enlisted Personnel
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
|---|---|---|
| Havildar | Petty Officer | Sergeant |
| Naik | Leading Seaman | Corporal |
| Lance Naik | Seaman I | Leading Aircraftman |
| Sepoy / Rifleman / Sowar / Gunner | Seaman II | Aircraftman |