The Chain of Command
Structure of Power & Discipline
Understanding the organizational hierarchy of the world's second-largest standing army.
Supreme Commander
President of India
Policy & Decisons
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
Administration
Ministry of Defence (MoD)
Chief of Defence Staff
CDS
Secretary DMA | Principal Military Adviser
🪖
COAS
Chief of the Army Staff
7 Operational Commands
Largest Land Force
⚓
CNS
Chief of the Naval Staff
3 Regional Commands
Maritime Supremacy
🛩️
CAS
Chief of the Air Staff
7 Operational Commands
Strategic Air Dominance
Commissioned Rank Comparison
| Level | Indian Army | Indian Navy | Indian Air Force |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | General | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| 09 | Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal |
| 08 | Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal |
| 07 | Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore |
| 06 | Colonel | Captain | Group Captain |
| 05 | Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander |