The Indian Army has followed British Army rank system since its independence from British Empire in 1947. However, the crown in the rank insignia has been replaced with the Ashoka Lion, which symbolizes the sovereignty of Government of India.
| Equivalency | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Colonel | ||||||||||
| NATO Equivalent | OF-5 | ||||||||||
| Uniform Insignia | |||||||||||
Colonel in Indian Army is equivalent to Captain in Indian Navy and Group Captain in Indian Air Force. Like other armies, this rank is higher than Lieutenant Colonel and lower than a Brigadier.
| Indian Officer Ranks | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Field Marshal (5 Star) | General (4 Star) | Lieutenant General (3 Star) | Major General (2 Star) | Brigadier (1 Star) | Colonel | Lieutenant Colonel | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | 2nd Lieutenant |
| NATO Equivalent | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF-1 |
| Uniform Insignia | |||||||||||