Indian Armed Forces rank flags

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The Indian Armed Forces follow the UK/Commonwealth ranking system, and their general and flag officers use rank flags.

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Indian Armed Forces

FlagDateUseDescription
Indian Armed Forces.svg Flag of the Indian Armed Forces A horizontal tricolour of red, navy blue and sky blue with the tri-service emblem at the centre.
Flag of Chief of Defence Staff (India).svg Flag of the Chief of Defence Staff A red field with the flag of India in the canton, and the tri-service emblem.
Flag of Integrated Defence Staff.svg Flag of the Integrated Defence Staff A red field with the flag of India in the canton, There is insignia of two cross swords, an eagle, an anchor and an Ashok symbol above it

Indian Army

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Indian Army.svg 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 Field marshal (India).png 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]
Flag COAS.svg Flag of the Chief of the Army Staff 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]
Flag of Indian Generals.svg Flag of the General
Flag of Indian Vice Chief of Army Staff.svg Flag of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff
Flag of Indian Lieutenant Generals, Army Headquarters.svg Flag of the Lieutenant General
Flag of Indian Principal Staff Officers.svg Flag of the Principal Staff Officer
Flag of Indian Major Generals, Army Headquarters.png Flag of the Major General
Flag of Indian Brigade command, Army Headquarters.png Flag of the Brigadier

Indian Navy

Current rank flags (2022–present)

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Ensign of India.svg Flag of the Indian Navy A white ensign, featuring the Flag of India in the canton, and a navy blue filled, gold-bordered octagon, enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy, located in the fly.
Commissioning pennant of India.svg Commissioning pennant of the Indian NavyA white triangular pennant with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the hoist.
President's Colour of Indian Navy.svg President's Colour of the Indian NavyIndian Naval ensign with State Emblem of India.
Admiral ensign of Indian Navy.svg Flag of the Admiral (rank currently reserved for the Chief of the Naval Staff)A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and four blue stars in the hoist side.
Vice Admiral ensign of Indian Navy.svg Flag of the Vice admiral (also Vice Chief of the Naval Staff)A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and three blue stars in the hoist side.
Rear Admiral ensign of Indian Navy.svg Flag of the Rear admiral A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and two blue stars in the hoist side.
Commodore ensign of Indian Navy.svg Flag of the Commodore A white flag with a gold-bordered octagon enclosing the crest of the Indian Navy in the middle, and one blue star in the hoist side.

Former rank flags (1950–2001; 2004–2022)

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Ensign of India (1950-2001).svg 1950–2001 Indian Naval Ensign A red cross on a white field, with the Indian national flag in the canton.
Naval Ensign of India (2004-2014).svg 2004–2014A red cross on a white field, with the Indian state emblem in yellow at the center, with the Indian national flag in the canton.
Naval Ensign of India (2014-2022).svg 2014–2022A red cross on a white field, with the Indian state emblem in yellow at the center with the motto Satyamev Jayate below, and the Indian national flag in the canton.
President's Colour of Indian Navy (until 2022).svg 1951–2022 President's Colour Indian Naval ensign with Presidential Standard elephant.
Masthead Pennant of the Indian Navy.svg Commissioning pennant A white triangular pennant with at hoist the St. George's red cross defaced with the Ashoka Chakra.
Admiral-ensign-Indian-Navy.svg Flag of the Admiral (was only used by Chief of the Naval Staff)
Vice Admiral of the Indian Navy rank flag.svg Flag of the Vice Admiral (also Vice Chief of the Naval Staff)
Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy rank flag.svg Flag of the Rear Admiral
Commodore of the Indian Navy rank flag.svg Flag of the Commodore
Senior Officer of the Indian Navy pennant.svg Flag of the Senior officer

Former rank flags (2001–2004)

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Ensign of India (2001-2004).svg 2001–2004Flag of the Indian NavyA blue-colored crest of the Indian Navy set upon a white background, with the flag of India placed in the canton.
COMMISSIONING PENNANT (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Commissioning pennant of the Indian Navy
ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Admiral of the Fleet of the Indian NavyNever used.
ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Admiral of the Indian Navy
VICE-ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Vice Admiral of the Indian Navy
REAR-ADMIRAL (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy
COMMODORE (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Commodore of the Indian Navy
SENIOR OFFICER (INDIA).gif 2001–2004Flag of Senior Officer of the Indian Navy

Indian Air Force

Current rank flags (1980–present)

FlagDateUseDescription
Air Force Ensign of India (2023).svg Flag of the Indian Air Force A sky-blue ensign with the flag of India in the canton, the Air Force roundel in the lower fly, and the IAF badge in the upper fly. [3]
President's Colour of Indian Air Forces.svg President's Colour of the Indian Air ForceAir Force ensign with Presidential Standard elephant.
Flag of the Marshal of the Air Force (India).svg Flag of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force 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 Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force.svg Flag of the Air Chief Marshal (rank currently reserved for the Chief of the Air Staff)Sky blue flag with the national flag in the canton, the IAF roundel in the lower fly, the IAF badge in the upper fly, and 5 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly. [5]
Flag of Air marshal (India).svg Flag of the Air Marshal (also Vice Chief of the Air Staff)Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 3 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly.
Flag of Air vice marshal (India).svg Flag of the Air Vice Marshal Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 2 five-pointed gold stars in a vertical line in the fly.
Flag of Air commodore (India).svg Flag of the Air Commodore Sky blue flag with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle; 1 five-pointed gold star in the fly.
Flag of Group Captain (India).svg Flag of the Group Captain Flag of Sky blue triangular pennant with IAF roundel in the center surmounted by eagle.
Flag of Wing Commander (India).svg Flag of the Wing Commander Sky blue triangular pennant with IAF roundel in the center.

Former rank flags (till 2023)

FlagDateUseDescription
Ensign of the Indian Air Force.svg 1950–2023Flag of the Indian Air Force A sky-blue ensign with the flag of India in the canton, and the Air Force roundel in the fly. [6]
Flag of the Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.svg 1980–2023Flag of the Air Chief Marshal (was only used by Chief of the 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. [7]

Former rank flags (1950–1980)

The former IAF rank flags were modeled on those of the Royal Air Force, with different colours. [8]

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Indian Marshal of the Air Forces 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Marshal of the Indian Air ForceNever used. [9]
Flag of Indian Air Chief Marshal 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air ForceSky blue bordered with two thick golden yellow stripes and with two thick horizontal green stripes in the center.
Flag of Indian Air Marshal 1950-1980.png 1950–1980Air Marshal of the Indian Air ForceSky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thick horizontal green stripe in the center.
Flag of Indian Air Vice Marshal 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Air Vice Marshal of the Indian Air ForceSky blue flag bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with two thin horizontal green stripes in the center.
Flag of Indian Air Commodore 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Air Commodore of the Indian Air ForceSwallowtail sky blue pennant bordered with two thick horizontal golden yellow stripes, with one thin horizontal green stripe in the center.
Flag of Indian Group Captain 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Group Captain of the Indian Air ForceTriangular sky blue pennant bordered in golden yellow, with one thick horizontal green stripe in the center.
Flag of Indian Wing Captain 1950-1980.svg 1950–1980Wing Commander of the Indian Air ForceTriangular sky blue pennant bordered in golden yellow, with two thin horizontal green stripes in the center.
Flag of Indian Squadron Leader.svg 1950–1980Squadron Leader of the Indian Air ForceSky 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.

Indian Coast Guard

FlagDateUseDescription
Indian Coast Guard flag.svg 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.
Indian Coast Guard flag.svg Flag of the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard A Blue Ensign with the Flag of India in the canton, and the Coast Guard badge in the fly.
Flag of the Indian Coast Guard.svg Flag of the Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag Inspector GENERAL of ICG.jpg Flag of the Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag of Indian Coast Guard Inspector General.png Flag of the Deputy Inspector-General of the Indian Coast Guard
Flag of Indian Coast Guard Commandant.png Flag of the Commandant of the Indian Coast Guard

See also

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References

  1. "Indian Army Flags".
  2. "Bharat Rakshak :: Land Forces Site - Rank Flags". Archived from the original on 14 July 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  3. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  4. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  5. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  6. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  7. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  8. "Indian Air Force Flags".
  9. "Indian Air Force Flags".