TheIndian Navy (IN), the naval component of theIndian Armed Forces follows a certain hierarchy of rank designations and insignia derived from the erstwhileRoyal Indian Navy (RIN).[1]
Upon the establishment ofestablishment of India's independence in 1947, the country became adominion within the BritishCommonwealth of Nations; nevertheless, the armed forces, namely, theBritish Indian Army (BIA), the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) and theRoyal Indian Air Force (RIAF) - under the helm ofKingGeorge VI as the Commander-in-Chief, retained their respective pre-independence ranks and corresponding insignia.[2]
In May 1949,Lord Mountbatten, the inauguralGovernor-General of India and himself a naval officer, dispatched a note toPrime MinisterJawaharlal Nehru, titledNames 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 the note, Mountbatten proposed that the future IN should retain its predecessor's nomenclature as much as possible - advocating the retention of the RIN's ranks, insignia and uniforms; the only exemption to these retentions was the force'snaval ensign, which was modified to feature theIndian tricolor as a substitute for theUnion Jack.[2] In September 1949, Nehru forwarded the proposals to the country'sminister of defence,Baldev Singh, recommending Mountbatten's suggestions, which were consequently enforced uponIndia's emergence as a republic on 26 January 1950.[2]
In December 2022,AdmiralR. Hari Kumar, the IN'sChief of the Naval Staff (CNS), proposed several alterations to the force's rank structure, namely, a proposal to drop the rank ofPetty Officer and to integrate IN ranks with that of the IA and the IAF, reasoning the present rank nomenclature reflected of what was termed by several as acolonial mindset.[3]
Following a review of the IN rank structure in October 2023, the IN announced that the rank nomenclature of thePersonnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) cadre would be revised to reflect a gender-neutral perspective.[4] Multiple sources indicated that the seven ranks of the PBOR cadre would be allotted Indian-origin names.[5] In March 2024, R. Hari Kumar suggested that "seaman" be replaced with the gender-neutral "nausainik" (navy soldier).[6][7]
Consequently, the revision plan was publicized during the IN's 2023Navy Day celebrations, when prime ministerNarendra Modi announced that the rank structure's designations would be retitled with domestic names to reflect Indian-origin traditions, while the shoulder board epaulettes worn by flag officers would be altered to bear the octagonal-shaped naval crest, which had been adopted by the IN the previous year.[5] Accordingly, the alterations to the flag officer insignia were revealed later that month; notably, other observable emendations in the new insignia included the introduction of an Indian sword-cum-telescope design in lieu of the older sword-cum-baton design and a gold button embossed with a clear anchor in lieu of a fouled anchor.[8]
In 2025 news came out reporting that the rollout of the new names had stalled.[9]
Presently, the IN's rank hierarchy is divided into four broad categories:
| Rank group | General/flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay level (7CPC) | 18 (apex) | 17/16/15 | 14 | 13A | 13 | 12A | 11 | 10B | 10 | Stipend | ||||||||||||||
 Indian Navy[10] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||
| Admiral एडमिरल | Vice admiral वाइस एडमिरल | Rear admiral रियर एडमिरल | Commodore कमोडोर | Captain कैप्टन | Commander कमांडर | Lieutenant commander लेफ़्टिनेंट कमांडर | Lieutenant लेफ्टिनेंट | Sub-lieutenant सब लेफ्टिनेंट | Midshipman मिडशिपमैन | |||||||||||||||
| Indian Navy Medical Service[11][better source needed] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | |||||||||||||
| SurgeonVice admiral | SurgeonRear admiral | SurgeonCommodore | SurgeonCaptain | Surgeon Commander | Surgeon Lieutenant commander | Surgeon Lieutenant | Surgeon Sub lieutenant | |||||||||||||||||
| Rank flags | Adm | VAdm | RAdm | Cmde |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1950–2022) |  |  |  | .svg){kind=icon} |
| (2022–present) |  |  |  |  |
The highest rank in the IN's CO cadre isAdmiral, afour-star rank, which is held exclusively by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).[12] The rank was first awarded to then-Vice AdmiralA. K. Chatterji in March 1968, following his appointment to the post of CNS; prior to him, CNS appointees belonged to the three-star rank of Vice Admiral.[13] However, unlike the IA and the IAF, which both bear the honoraryfive-star ranks ofField Marshal (FM) andMarshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF) respectively, the IN does not have a correspondingly recognized equivalent, as no four-star admirals were deemed for promotion to five-star rank.[14]
| Rank group | Subordinate Officers (SO) | Non commissioned officers (NCO) | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Navy[10][15] |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Master chief petty officer I मास्टर चीफ पेटी ऑफिसर फर्स्ट क्लास | Master chief petty officer II मास्टर चीफ पेटी ऑफिसर सेकेंड क्लास | Chief petty officer चीफ पेटी ऑफिसर | Petty officer पेटी ऑफिसर | Leading Seaman लीडिंग सीमैन | Seaman I सीमैन फर्स्ट क्लास | Seaman II सीमैन सेकंड क्लास | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) in the Indian Navy are senior sailors promoted from the ranks of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), based on merit, seniority, and vacancy availability.[citation needed] They hold a status broadly equivalent to Warrant Officers in theRoyal Navy. Positioned between Commissioned Officers and NCOs, MCPO I and MCPO II are highly respected for their experience—typically over 20 years of service—and are often addressed asMaSabs across all ranks.[citation needed]
From 1950 to December 1968, the designation of Chief Petty Officer was the highest non-commissioned rank in IN's rank hierarchy. In December 1968, the designations of Master Chief Petty Officer I and Master Chief Petty Officer II were introduced.[16]
Indian Navy ranks are classified into three categories:
| Rank | Epaulette Insignia | Description | Appointments | Superannuation Age/Tenure | Rank flag | Pay level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral | | Four-star rank; professional head of the Indian Navy | Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) | 62 years | | Level 18 |
| Vice Admiral (C-in-C grade) | | Three star rank; authority of naval commands | FOC-in-C of Eastern, Western and Southern Naval Commands,Vice Chief of Naval Staff,CINCAN,CinC SFC,CISC | 60 years | | Level 17 |
| Vice Admiral | | Three-star rank; operational authority | Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Chiefs ofPersonnel,Materiel, Controller of Warship Production&Acquisition,Director General Naval Operations, Commandants of major training institutions | 60 years | | Level 15 |
| Rear Admiral | | Two-star rank; commands a naval area or fleet | Flag Officers Commanding Fleets, Flag Officers Commanding Naval Areas, Commandant of training institutions, Superintendent of naval dockyards,Assistant Chiefs of the Naval Staff | 58 years | | Level 14 |
| Commodore |  | One-star rank, senior-most sea command | Fleet CO, Naval Attaché, Senior Staff in Naval HQ, CO Naval air base, Principal Director at Naval HQ | 56 years (58 years for Commodore [Education]) | | Level 13A |
| Captain |  | Commands large warships, naval air squadrons or shore establishments | Commanding Officer, Director/Joint Director in Naval HQ, Principal Engineer/Technical officer, Senior staff officer | 56 years (58 years for Captain [Education]) | — | Level 13 |
| Commander |  | Senior officer rank, often second-in-command of warships, Commanding Officer of small ships or naval air squadrons | Executive Officer, Senior Engineer, Staff Officer, Senior Technical officer | 54 years | — | Level 12A |
| Lieutenant Commander |  | Mid-ranking officer responsible for departments on board | Departmental Head, Senior Divisional Officer, Assistant Engineer, Technical officer | 52 years | — | Level 11 |
| Lieutenant |  | Junior officer rank; takes on division and technical duties | Junior executive Officer, OOD, Divisional Officer, Pilot, Assistant technical officer, ATC officer | 52 years | — | Level 10B |
| Sub-Lieutenant |  | First commissioned rank in the Indian Navy | Pilot, Watchkeeping Officer, Divisional Officer, Junior technical Officer, Observer, ATC officer | 52 years | — | Level 10 |
| Midshipman | | Trainee officer undergoing Naval Orientation Course | Under training at Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy (Pilots) | 1.5 to 4.5 years of training | — | Stipend (₹673,200 (US$8,000))pa |
| Rank | Epaulette Insignia | Description | Appointments | Superannuation Age/Tenure | Rank flag | Pay level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon Vice Admiral (DGAFMS) | | Senior-most officer ofAFMS; tri-service head | Director General Armed Forces Medical Services | 62 years (fixed tenure) | | Level 17 (Apex) |
| Surgeon Vice Admiral | | Principal Medical Officer at Naval HQ or Command HQ | Director General Medical Services (Navy), Senior Consultant (Navy) | 62 years | | Level 16 |
| Surgeon Rear Admiral | | Senior specialist and administrative posts at Command HQ / Hospitals | Command Medical Officer, Command Hospital Director | 61 years | | Level 14 |
| Surgeon Commodore | | Senior consultant and hospital administration | CO of large military hospitals, senior advisor | 59 years | | Level 13A |
| Surgeon Captain | | Specialist with independent responsibilities | Senior Advisor, Principal Medical Officer (Fleet/Establishment) | 58 years | — | Level 13 |
| Surgeon Commander | | Mid-level medical specialist or administrator | Classified Specialist, Medical Officer-in-Charge | 58 years | — | Level 12A |
| Surgeon Lieutenant Commander | | Junior specialist or general duty medical officer | Senior Medical Officer, Station Health Officer | 58 years | — | Level 11 |
| Surgeon Lieutenant | | Entry-level officer, general medical duties | Medical Officer at ships/establishments | 58 years | — | Level 10B |
| Surgeon Sub Lieutenant | | Undergoing internship at Naval Hospitals under AFMC MBBS course | Medical intern | 1 year of internship | — | Level 10 |
| Rank | Insignia | Description | Appointments/Specialisations | Superannuation Age/Tenure | Pay level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Master Chief Petty Officer/ MCERA I | & aiguillettes presented by theCNS | Honorary appointment, highest achievable enlisted rank in the Indian Navy | Principal advisor to CNS on sailor affairs; ceremonial & consultative role & In charge of Engine Room and propulsion systems | 57 years (extendable) | Level 9 |
| Master Chief Petty Officer Class I/ MCERA I | | Senior JCO-equivalent; assists ship COs in administration and discipline | Base Master-at-Arms, Fleet-level Chief ERA | 57 years | Level 8 |
| Master Chief Petty Officer Class II/ MCERA II | | Mid level JCO-equivalent; supervises divisions, handles men and machines | Chief ERA, Department 2IC in base/ship | 57 years | Level 7 |
| Chief Petty Officer/ ERA III | | Junior JCO-equivalent; trained in marine engineering duties | Section-in-charge, Technical supervisor, ERA (Chief Artificer) | 52 years | Level 6 |
| Rank | Insignia | Description | Appointments/Specialisations | Superannuation Age/Tenure | Pay level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petty Officer/ ERA IV | | Senior NCO; supervises divisions or equipment sections | Petty Artificer, section-in-charge, instructor roles | 52 years | Level 5 |
| Leading Seaman/ ERA V | | First NCO rank; commands a small team or assists Petty Officers | L/ERA, radar ops, communications, weapons handling | 52 years | Level 4 |
| Rank | Insignia | Description | Appointments/Specialisations | Superannuation Age/Tenure | Pay level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seaman I | No insignia | Promoted sailor after completing initial training & assessments | Operational duties: navigation, gunnery, ER assistant | 52 years | Level 3 |
| Seaman II | No insignia | Freshly inducted sailor post-basic training; under probation | General duties, sentry, deck jobs, mess duty | 52 years | Level 3 |
| Artificer Apprentice |  | Technical trade recruits undergoing training to become ERAs ie, Leading Seaman | Undergoing training inINS Shivaji or Naval Technical Institutes | 2.5 to 3 years | Stipend (₹175,200 (US$2,100))pa |
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| S.No. | Badge | Description | Role | Specialisation allowance(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Torpedo &Anti-Submarine badge | Specialist in submarine detection, torpedo operations, and anti-submarine tactics. |
|
| 2 |  | Pilot badge | Naval aviator operating fighter jets, helicopters, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft. |
|
| 3 |  | Aviation badge | Support staff and technicians maintaining naval aircraft systems and operations. |
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| 4 |  | Flight engineer badge | In-flight technical expert responsible for engine, fuel, and system monitoring during operations. |
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| 5 |  | SAR Aircrewman badge | Search and Rescue (SAR) specialist performing recovery operations at sea. |
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| 6 |  | Naval aviation specialization badge | Aviation support specialist engaged in technical operations and navigation support. |
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| 7 |  | Naval Parachutist's badge | Specialist trained in combat parachuting for airborne naval operations. |
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| 8 |  | CombatDiver badge (officers and MCPOs) | Underwater operations, sabotage, reconnaissance, and mine clearance. |
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| 9 |  | CombatDiver badge (sailors) | Tactical diver specializing in demolitions and underwater combat. |
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| 10 |  | Gunner badge | Naval artillery operator responsible for deck guns and close-range weapons. |
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| 11 |  | Communication badge | Radio, cryptography, and secure naval communications expert. |
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| 12 |  | Survey Recorder badge | Specialist in hydrographic surveys, navigation chart preparation, and mapping. |
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| 13 |  | Shooting badge | Marksmanship and small arms expert maintaining shooting proficiency. |
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| 14 |  | Radar Plotter badge | Radar operator for navigation, surveillance, and tracking hostile vessels. |
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| 15 |  | Engine Room badge | Specialist in propulsion systems, machinery maintenance, and engine control. |
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| 16 |  | Physical Trainer badge | Physical fitness trainer maintaining operational readiness of naval personnel. |
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| 17 |  | Medical officer badge | Naval doctor or aFlight surgeon providing healthcare and emergency response aboard ships, submarines or aircraft. |
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| 18 |  | Submariner's badge (officers and MCPOs) | Officer trained for submarine operations, stealth missions, and deep-sea warfare. |
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| 19 |  | Submariner's badge (CPOs and junior enlisted) | Enlisted crew managing submarine maintenance, weapons, and operational support. |
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| 20 |  | MARCOS badge (special forces) | Elite commando involved in counter-terrorism, direct action, and special operations. |
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| 21 |  | Surface warfare officers badge | Officers trained for surface ship combat operations and fleet tactics. |
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| 22 |  | Surface warfare enlisted badge | Sailors trained for surface ship combat operations, maintenance and logistics. |
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| 23 |  | Naval Police badge | Law enforcement aboard ships and naval bases; discipline and security specialist. |
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| 24 |  | Naval Observer (Navigator) badge | Officers trained for airborne surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation, maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (air). |
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