This article is about the rank flags of Indian Armed Forces. For rank insignia of Indian Army, see Army ranks and insignia of India. For rank insignia of Indian Navy, see Naval ranks and insignia of India. For rank insignia of Indian Air Force, see Air Force ranks and insignia of India.
Indian Armed Forces
Military Manpower
Active troops
1,440,000 (2nd)
Reserve forces
2,096,000 (5th)
Paramilitary forces and CAPF
1,585,950 (6th)
Components
Indian Army Indian Navy Indian Air Force Indian Coast Guard Border Roads Organisation Paramilitary forces of India Central Armed Police Forces Strategic Nuclear Command
History
Military history of India
Ranks and insignia
Army • Navy • Air Force • Coast Guard • BRO • Paramilitary forces and CAPF
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The Indian Armed Forces follow the UK/Commonwealth ranking system, and their general and flag officers use rank flags.
Equivalent ranks and insignia of Indian Armed Forces.
A horizontal tricolour of red, navy blue and sky blue with the tri-service emblem at the centre.
Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff
A red field with the flag of India in the canton, and the tri-service emblem.
Indian Army[]
Flag
Date
Use
Description
Flag of the Indian Army
A red field with the flag of India in the canton, and the Army badge in the fly.
Flag of the Field Marshal
Red flag with crossed batons surrounded by a lotus flower wreath, the Ashoka lion emblem above the batons and five five-pointed stars across the bottom, all in yellow.[1]
Red flag with the national flag in the canton, with two crossed swords and the Ashoka lions emblem above them in the center of the flag and four five-pointed stars in a vertical line in the fly all yellow.[2]
Sky blue flag with the badge of the IAF in the center, and 5 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly. Only one person has ever been granted the right to this flag.[4]
Flag of the Air Chief Marshal (rank currently reserved for the Chief of Air Staff)
Sky blue flag with the national flag in the canton, the IAF roundel in the lower fly, and the IAF badge in the upper fly.[5]
Sky blue bordered with two thick golden yellow stripes and with two thick horizontal green stripes in the center.
1950–1980
Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force
Sky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thick horizontal green stripe in the center.
1950–1980
Air Vice Marshal of the Indian Air Force
Sky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with two thin horizontal green stripes in the center.
1950–1980
Air Commodore of the Indian Air Force
Swallowtail sky blue pennant bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thin horizontal green stripe in the center.
1950–1980
Group Captain of the Indian Air Force
Triangular sky blue pennant bordered in golden yellow, with one thick horizontal green stripe in the center.
1950–1980
Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force
Triangular sky blue pennant bordered in golden yellow, with two thin horizontal green stripes in the center.
1950–1980
Squadron Leader of the Indian Air Force
Sky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thin horizontal green stripe in the center surmounted by an eagle in green. Below the stripe is the squadron number.
Coast Guard[]
Flag
Date
Use
Description
Flag of the Indian Coast Guard
A Blue Ensign with the Flag of India in the canton, and the Coast Guard badge in the fly.