Colonel (India)

Colonel is a rank in the Indian Army. Like other armies, this rank is higher than lieutenant colonel and lower than a brigadier. It is equivalent to captain in the Indian Navy and group captain in the Indian Air Force.

Colonel
Rank insignia of a colonel of the Indian Army
Country India
Service branch Indian Army
AbbreviationCol
RankColonel
Next higher rankBrigadier
Next lower rankLieutenant colonel
Equivalent ranksCaptain (Indian Navy)
Group captain (Indian Air Force)

The Indian Army has followed the British Army rank system since India's independence from the British Empire in 1947. However, the St Edward's Crown in the rank insignia was replaced with the National Emblem of India, symbolising the sovereignty of the Government of India.

Colonels in the Indian Army command battalion-sized units. Until the 1980s, battalions (and equivalents) were commanded by a lieutenant colonel. They also serve as staff officers in brigades and higher formations.

Insignia

The badges of rank have two five-pointed stars and the National emblem above. [1]

The gorget patches of a colonel consist of crimson patches with golden braids.

Colonel of the regiment

The colonel of the regiment (COR) is a tradition and position that the Indian Army has inherited from the British Army, as have other armies of the commonwealth. The post of COR is an elected post. All officers including and above the rank of colonel vote as do all battalion commanding officers (CO). The vote of the COs represents the vote of their soldiers. The COR is a senior officer of the regiment, usually the senior-most, who is a father-figure to the regiment and looks after the interests of the regiment. Thus, they are usually general officers or brigadiers. On ceremonial occasions, the COR wears the rank badges of a colonel rather than their actual rank.

Famous Indian colonels

See also

References
  1. "The Official Home Page of the Indian Army". www.indianarmy.nic.in.
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