Officers in the Indian Army are commissioned into service after completing their training at institutions like the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), or National Defence Academy (NDA). The officer ranks are as follows:
- Lieutenant (Lt)
- Entry Rank: This is the entry rank for an officer after commissioning. It is typically held for a short period (around 1 year) before being promoted to Captain.
- Responsibilities: A Lieutenant commands a platoon or performs various staff duties.
- Captain (Capt)
- Promotion: Officers are usually promoted from Lieutenant to Captain after 2–3 years of service.
- Responsibilities: Captains lead a company or serve in important staff and training roles.
- Major (Maj)
- Promotion: After 6–10 years of service, officers are promoted to Major.
- Responsibilities: Majors usually command a battalion or serve in various staff positions, such as planning or operations.
- Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col)
- Promotion: The promotion from Major to Lt Colonel usually happens after 13–15 years of service.
- Responsibilities: Lt Colonels command battalions or serve in senior staff roles at the brigade or divisional level.
- Colonel (Col)
- Promotion: After serving for around 19–20 years, officers can be promoted to Colonel.
- Responsibilities: Colonels typically command brigades or serve in senior positions in the army headquarters or other higher-level roles.
- Brigadier (Brig)
- Promotion: Officers generally reach the rank of Brigadier after around 25–30 years of service.
- Responsibilities: Brigadiers command brigades and oversee large tactical operations.
- Major General (Maj Gen)
- Promotion: A Brigadier can be promoted to Major General after approximately 30–35 years of service.
- Responsibilities: Major Generals are in charge of divisions and handle strategic operations at higher levels.
- Lieutenant General (Lt Gen)
- Promotion: This is one of the highest ranks in the Indian Army, achieved after serving for over 35 years. Promotion is largely based on merit and seniority.
- Responsibilities: Lieutenant Generals command corps, larger operational formations, and serve in top military positions, including as the heads of Army Commands.
- General (Gen)
- Highest Rank: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is the head of the Indian Army, holds the rank of General. It is a 4-star rank and the highest possible in the Indian Army.
- Promotion: The COAS is selected by the government and serves for 3 years or until reaching the age of retirement (usually 62).
- Responsibilities: The General is responsible for the overall direction and strategic leadership of the army.
