Air Force ranks and insignia of India

The Indian Air Force's rank structure is based on that of the Royal Air Force. The highest rank attainable in the Indian Air Force is Marshal of the Indian Air Force, conferred by the President of India after exceptional service during wartime. MIAF Arjan Singh is the only officer to have achieved this rank. The head of the Indian Air Force is the Chief of the Air Staff, who holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal. The current Chief of the Air Staff is Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, appointed on December 31, 2013, following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal N.A.K Browne

Officer ranks

The following table shows the officer rank insignia for the Indian Air Force. Even though India is not a NATO country, the NATO ranking codes are given for comparison with other nations' military ranks (see Air force officer rank insignia for more information).

Ranks of the Indian Air Force – Officer Ranks

Equivalent NATO Code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF(D) and Student Officer
Shoulder
Sleeve
Rank	Marshal of the Air Force1	Air Chief Marshal2	Air Marshal	Air Vice Marshal	Air Commodore	Group Captain	Wing Commander	Squadron Leader	Flight Lieutenant	Flying Officer
1 Honorary/War time rank 2 Held only by the Chief of Air Staff

• ¹ Honorary/War time rank.
• ² Rank currently abolished, all officer cadets are commissioned as Flying Officers

Junior commissioned officer and non-commissioned ranks

Ranks of the Indian Air Force – enlisted ranks

	Junior commissioned officer				Enlisted
Shoulder				Arm
Sleeve
Rank	Master warrant officer	Warrant officer	Junior warrant officer		Sergeant	Corporal	Leading aircraftsman	Aircraftsman

See also

• Comparative military ranks
• Indian military
• Military rank

NC(E) rank is in air force and used by UNO