Commissioned Officer Ranks in the Indian Navy– The Indian Navy is undoubtedly the most powerful and reliable naval force in the world. It is responsible for India’s maritime security, takes part in defence operations, and fights against piracy and illegal activities.

The Indian Navy, just like the Army and Air Force, has a similar rank structure. Ranks denote the position, responsibility, and level of expertise of a person in the Navy.

This article will take us through the whole ladder of the Commissioned Officer Ranks in the Indian Navy, starting with the highest rank and going down to the lowest one, also explaining what each rank is in simple terms.

What Are the Ranks in the Indian Navy?

The Indian Navy’s ranks come with more responsibility; that is, with a higher rank comes more responsibility and respect.

Every officer or seaman initially is of a lower rank and, through experience, hard work, and training, can eventually reach a higher one.

The Indian Navy has two principal rank categories:

Officers with the Commission
Sailors and Non-Commissioned Officers

Now, let’s analyse each one in detail.

Commissioned vs Non-Commissioned Officers

Category	Who They Are	What They Do	Example Ranks
Commissioned Officers	Leaders of ships and naval units	Make strategic decisions	Admiral, Captain, Lieutenant
Non-Commissioned Officers (Sailors)	Skilled workers and technical experts	Operate and maintain equipment	Chief Petty Officer, Seaman

Commissioned Officer Ranks in the Indian Navy

Rank	Insignia (Symbol)	Role / Responsibility	Equivalent Rank in the Indian Army
Admiral of the Fleet (Honorary Rank)	Five stars in a row (not in active use)	The highest honorary naval rank — awarded only in special cases	Field Marshal
Admiral	Four stars with crossed swords and baton below	Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) heads the entire Indian Navy	General
Vice Admiral	Three stars with crossed swords and a baton	Commands major naval areas or fleets; assists the Admiral	Lieutenant General
Rear Admiral	Two stars with crossed swords and a baton	Commands large ships, bases, and important operations	Major General
Commodore	One broad stripe with one star	Commands a group of small ships or a naval establishment	Brigadier
Captain	Four narrow stripes	Commands a large ship or naval training base	Colonel
Commander	Three narrow stripes	Second-in-command on large ships; commands smaller warships	Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Commander	Two and a half narrow stripes	Heads departments and assists in ship operations	Major
Lieutenant	Two narrow stripes	Junior officer; responsible for specific ship sections	Captain
Sub Lieutenant	One narrow stripe	Entry-level officer rank after training at the INA	Lieutenant

How to Join the Indian Navy?

Your age and level of education determine the several methods for joining the Navy:

After High School (10+2):

You can go through the National Defence Academy (NDA) route for officer training.
You can join the B.Tech Cadet Entry scheme for 10+2 qualified students.
Take recruitment exams to become a sailor (SSR or MR).

In the final Year or after obtaining a degree:

You can take the UPSC conducted Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam.
You can apply for direct entry in either the technical or executive branches.

After completing engineering:

You can opt for the University Entry Scheme (UES) or take the SSC (Short Service Commission) for technical posts.

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Final Words

The ranks in the Indian Navy are a perfect embodiment of the discipline, organisation, and strength that are the foundation of our naval forces. The ranks ranging from the distinguished rank of Sub Lieutenant to the topmost rank of Admiral carry certain duties and are very important in the preservation of our country’s maritime security and combat efficiency.

In case you are among those who fantasise about fighting for their motherland and have a passion for the sea, the Indian Navy is the only option that gives you a lifelong career of respect, a sense of purpose, and excitement. It is a very special chance to become a part of an always-respected institution, together with getting involved in tough and rewarding experiences at sea.