Indian Armed Forces consist of three main services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. Each service has its own rank structure, uniform, insignia and operational responsibilities. The names of the ranks are different across the three services. However, many ranks have an equivalent position in the other two services.
For example, a Colonel in the Indian Army is equivalent to a Captain in the Indian Navy and a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force. Similarly, an Army Lieutenant is equivalent to a Navy Sub Lieutenant and an Air Force Flying Officer.
You can read the detailed service-specific guides here:
Indian Army Ranks and Insignia
Indian Navy Ranks and Insignia
Indian Air Force Ranks and Insignia
Army vs Navy vs Air Force Equivalent Ranks
The following table provides the complete comparison of equivalent ranks in the Indian Armed Forces.
Commissioned Officer Equivalent Ranks
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Field Marshal | Admiral of the Fleet | Marshal of the Indian Air Force |
| General | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal |
| Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal |
| Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore |
| Colonel | Captain | Group Captain |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander |
| Major | Lieutenant Commander | Squadron Leader |
| Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant |
| Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer |
JCO, Senior Sailor and Warrant Officer Equivalent Ranks
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Subedar Major | Master Chief Petty Officer I | Master Warrant Officer |
| Subedar | Master Chief Petty Officer II | Warrant Officer |
| Naib Subedar | Chief Petty Officer | Junior Warrant Officer |
Non-Commissioned and Other Rank Equivalents
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Havildar | Petty Officer | Sergeant |
| Naik | Leading Seaman | Corporal |
| Lance Naik | Seaman I | Leading Aircraftman |
| Sepoy | Seaman II | Aircraftman |
Five-Star Equivalent Ranks
The five-star ranks are the highest possible ranks in the three services.
| Service | Five-Star Rank |
| Indian Army | Field Marshal |
| Indian Navy | Admiral of the Fleet |
| Indian Air Force | Marshal of the Indian Air Force |
These ranks are not part of the normal promotion system. They are reserved for exceptional military service and national contribution.
Four-Star Equivalent Ranks
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| General | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
These are the highest regular active ranks in the three services.
- The Chief of the Army Staff normally holds the rank of General.
- The Chief of the Naval Staff normally holds the rank of Admiral.
- The Chief of the Air Staff normally holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
These officers are the professional heads of their respective services.
Three-Star Equivalent Ranks
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal |
These are three-star ranks.
- A Lieutenant General may command an Army command, corps or hold a senior appointment at Army Headquarters.
- A Vice Admiral may command a naval command or hold a senior appointment at Naval Headquarters.
- An Air Marshal may command an Air Force command or hold a senior appointment at Air Headquarters.
The exact appointment depends on service requirements and the officer’s seniority.
Two-Star Equivalent Ranks
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal |
These are two-star ranks.
- A Major General may command an Army division or hold an important staff appointment.
- A Rear Admiral may command a naval formation, fleet component or major naval establishment.
- An Air Vice Marshal may command an important air formation or hold a senior operational, technical or administrative appointment.
One-Star Equivalent Ranks
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore |
These are one-star ranks.
- An Army Brigadier commonly commands a brigade or holds a senior staff appointment.
- A Navy Commodore may command a naval formation, flotilla or major shore establishment.
- An Air Commodore may command a major Air Force station or hold a senior staff appointment.
Although the names are different, their positions in the hierarchy are equivalent.
Colonel, Navy Captain and Group Captain
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Colonel | Captain | Group Captain |
These three ranks are equivalent.
- An Army Colonel may command a battalion or regiment or hold a senior staff position.
- A Navy Captain may command a major warship, naval establishment or hold a senior headquarters appointment.
- An Air Force Group Captain may command an Air Force station, flying unit or hold an important staff appointment.
Why Is a Navy Captain Equivalent to an Army Colonel?
The word “Captain” can create confusion because it exists in both the Army and Navy.
- An Army Captain is a junior commissioned officer rank.
- A Navy Captain is a senior commissioned officer rank equivalent to an Army Colonel.
Therefore: Army Captain is not equivalent to Navy Captain.
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Colonel | Captain | Group Captain |
| Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant |
This difference is important for defence examinations and SSB interviews.
Lieutenant Colonel, Commander and Wing Commander
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander |
These ranks are equivalent.
- An Army Lieutenant Colonel may command a battalion or hold a senior unit appointment.
- A Navy Commander may serve as the Commanding Officer of a smaller vessel or hold a departmental or staff appointment.
- An Air Force Wing Commander may command a flying squadron, technical unit or hold an important station appointment.
The word “Commander” may also be used as part of an appointment. However, Commander is also an official rank in the Indian Navy.
Major, Lieutenant Commander and Squadron Leader
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Major | Lieutenant Commander | Squadron Leader |
These ranks represent the next level above the junior officer ranks in their respective services.
- An Army Major may hold a company-level, unit-level or staff appointment.
- A Navy Lieutenant Commander may serve as a department head, executive officer or specialist officer.
- An Air Force Squadron Leader may perform flying, technical, administrative or staff duties.
A Squadron Leader is a rank. It does not always mean that the officer commands an entire squadron.
Captain, Lieutenant and Flight Lieutenant
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant |
These are equivalent junior officer ranks.
- An Army Captain is above Lieutenant and below Major.
- A Navy Lieutenant is above Sub Lieutenant and below Lieutenant Commander.
- An Air Force Flight Lieutenant is above Flying Officer and below Squadron Leader.
The word “Lieutenant” has different levels in the Army and Navy. An Army Lieutenant is not equivalent to a Navy Lieutenant.
Lieutenant, Sub Lieutenant and Flying Officer
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer |
These are the regular entry-level commissioned officer ranks in the three services.
- After completing the prescribed training, an Army officer is normally commissioned as a Lieutenant.
- A newly commissioned Navy officer holds the rank of Sub Lieutenant.
- A newly commissioned Air Force officer holds the rank of Flying Officer.
These officers may join through entries such as NDA, CDS, AFCAT, technical entries or other authorised recruitment routes.
Entry-Level Officer Ranks
| Service | Entry-Level Commissioned Rank |
| Indian Army | Lieutenant |
| Indian Navy | Sub Lieutenant |
| Indian Air Force | Flying Officer |
All three are commissioned officers.
Their uniforms, insignia and training differ, but they hold an equivalent position in the junior officer hierarchy.
JCO and Warrant Officer Equivalents
The Indian Army uses the term Junior Commissioned Officer.
The Indian Navy uses senior sailor ranks such as Master Chief Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer.
The Indian Air Force uses Warrant Officer ranks.
These positions are broadly equivalent in status and hierarchy.
Subedar Major Equivalent Rank
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Subedar Major | Master Chief Petty Officer I | Master Warrant Officer |
- Subedar Major is the senior-most regular JCO rank in an Army unit.
- Master Chief Petty Officer I is the equivalent senior sailor rank in the Navy.
- Master Warrant Officer is the equivalent rank in the Air Force.
These personnel have extensive service experience. They play an important role in discipline, training, administration and the welfare of personnel.
Subedar Equivalent Rank
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Subedar | Master Chief Petty Officer II | Warrant Officer |
These ranks hold important supervisory and leadership responsibilities.
They work between commissioned officers and junior personnel. Their experience is valuable in maintaining professional standards within a unit, ship or Air Force station.
Naib Subedar Equivalent Rank
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Naib Subedar | Chief Petty Officer | Junior Warrant Officer |
- Naib Subedar is the junior-most JCO rank in the Army.
- Chief Petty Officer is its Navy equivalent.
- Junior Warrant Officer is its Air Force equivalent.
These ranks supervise personnel and help implement the orders of commissioned officers.
NCO and Other Rank Equivalents
Non-Commissioned Officers provide leadership at the working level of the Armed Forces.
They supervise small teams, maintain discipline and ensure that operational and technical tasks are completed properly.
Havildar Equivalent Rank
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Havildar | Petty Officer | Sergeant |
- A Havildar is an experienced Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army.
- A Petty Officer performs a comparable supervisory role in the Navy.
- A Sergeant is the equivalent Air Force rank.
Naik Equivalent Rank
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Naik | Leading Seaman | Corporal |
These are junior leadership ranks.
Personnel at this level may lead small teams, supervise tasks and assist senior Non-Commissioned Officers.
Lance Naik Equivalent Rank
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Lance Naik | Seaman I | Leading Aircraftman |
These personnel have a position above the basic entry rank.
Their responsibilities depend on their trade, branch, unit and experience.
Sepoy Equivalent Rank
| Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
| Sepoy | Seaman II | Aircraftman |
These are basic personnel ranks in the three services.
- A Sepoy serves in the Indian Army.
- A Seaman II serves in the Indian Navy.
- An Aircraftman serves in the Indian Air Force.
The personnel may work in combat, technical, administrative, logistics or support roles according to their service and trade.
Is Chief of Defence Staff a Separate Rank?
Chief of Defence Staff is an appointment, not a separate military rank.
The officer appointed as CDS retains the rank of General, Admiral or Air Chief Marshal according to the service from which the officer comes.
The CDS works on joint planning, coordination and integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Important Rank Comparisons for Defence Aspirants
Detailed rank and insignia can be checked in the following guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Air Force equivalent of an Army Lieutenant?
The Air Force equivalent of an Army Lieutenant is Flying Officer. The Navy equivalent is Sub Lieutenant.
What is the Navy equivalent of an Army Captain?
The Navy equivalent of an Army Captain is Lieutenant. The Air Force equivalent is Flight Lieutenant.
What is the Army equivalent of a Navy Captain?
A Navy Captain is equivalent to an Army Colonel and an Air Force Group Captain.
What is the Army equivalent of a Squadron Leader?
A Squadron Leader is equivalent to a Major in the Army and a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy.
What is the equivalent of an Army Brigadier?
An Army Brigadier is equivalent to a Commodore in the Navy and an Air Commodore in the Air Force.
What is the equivalent of an Army Lieutenant General?
An Army Lieutenant General is equivalent to a Vice Admiral in the Navy and an Air Marshal in the Air Force.
What is the Navy equivalent of a Field Marshal?
The equivalent rank is Marshal of the Indian Air Force.
What is the Air Force equivalent of a Field Marshal?
The equivalent rank is Marshal of the Indian Air Force.
Who has held the rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force?
Arjan Singh is the only officer to have received the rank of Marshal of the Indian Air Force.
What is the Navy equivalent of Subedar Major?
The Navy equivalent is Master Chief Petty Officer I. The Air Force equivalent is Master Warrant Officer.
Is a Wing Commander equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel?
Yes. A Wing Commander in the Air Force is equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and a Commander in the Navy.
Is a Navy Lieutenant higher than an Army Lieutenant?
The ranks are not equivalent. A Navy Lieutenant is equivalent to an Army Captain. An Army Lieutenant is equivalent to a Navy Sub Lieutenant.
Is Chief of Defence Staff a rank?
No. Chief of Defence Staff is an appointment. The officer continues to hold a four-star service rank.
Do equivalent ranks have the same salary?
Equivalent ranks generally have comparable positions in the defence pay structure. However, the final salary may differ because of service-specific allowances, appointments, qualifications, postings and deductions.
