Types of Military in India: Roles, Importance & Military Ranks

The military is a specialised and organised force generally intended for warfare. It is primarily authorised and maintained by the Indian government. One can identify all members of military service by their distinct military uniforms. 

The primary role of Indian military service is to assert the territorial integrity of India, support all civilians during disasters and defend our country in case of foreign attacks.

Navigate through this write-up to learn more about what Military is, its types, significant roles and responsibilities.

The English word 'military' was first used in the year 1582. It comes from the Latin word 'militaris', which means 'soldier'. The military in India consists of one or more military branches, such as – a Navy, an Army and an Air Force. 

The function of all these three branches is to defend every state and their interests against any external armed threats.

Besides warfare, a military officer might be employed in multiple sanctioned and non-sanctioned roles. It includes crowd control, assisting in political agendas, emergency services and reconstruction, serving corporate economic interests, etc.

The military system of India consists of the Defence Forces, Strategic Forces Command and Paramilitary Forces. They are responsible for ensuring national security. A rigorous training prepares the system to defend and serve our nation by guarding land, sea and air against any external threats.

Indian Armed Forces comprise three divisions – Indian Navy, Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Each plays a distinctive role in maintaining peace and harmony within our country. Below are some functions they perform:

Indian Army

The functions of the Indian Army are as follows:

• Preserving national interests and safeguarding India’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity against any external threats or attacks by waging war or deterrence.

• Rendering humanitarian support and assisting civil authorities during natural disasters and calamities.

• Assisting all government agencies in coping with other internal threats and assuring aid to civil authorities when deployed. 

• Forcing projections and participating in army exercises with the troops of friendly foreign nations.

• Aiding in peacekeeping operations and allowing military assistance to foreign countries.

Indian Navy

The roles and responsibilities of the Indian Navy are as follows:

• In conjunction with other Indian Armed Forces, the Indian Navy acts to defeat or deter any external threats or aggression within our nation or maritime borders of India. It is done both in peace and war.

• They cooperate with the Indian Coast Guard and ensure harmony and stability in all maritime zones of India.

• The force Insert influence in India’s maritime area to serve our nation’s security, political, and economic agendas.

• They aid in maritime assistance, including disaster relief, in India's maritime neighbourhood.

• They safeguard Indian trading vessels by combating piracy on the high seas.

Indian Air Force

The roles of the Indian Air Force are as follows:

• Conduct aerial warfare during conflicts and secure the Indian airspace against air threats in coordination with the Indian Army and Navy.

• Assist civil power to protect our nation during internal disturbances and natural calamities.

• Provide air support to the Indian Army on the battlefield and assure tactical and strategic airlift possibilities.

• Operate the Integrated Space Cell in collaboration with two branches of the Indian Armed Forces. These include - the Department of Space and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

• Evacuate Indian nationals from foreign countries during any instability or any other threats and attacks.

• Rescue civilians during natural calamities.

Below are the few important roles of Indian Military Forces:

• The Military Forces are specialised military assets that use advanced weapons and strategies so that they can respond to any terror threats immediately.

• They are specially designed so that they can take the necessary actions to complete a mission. 

• The Indian Military Forces continuously evolve to meet challenges and work to improve their spiritual, social and physical performance. They also look after psychological and cognitive performance. 

• As these military forces adapt to the emerging global trends in military functions, they use AI systems, cyber capabilities, crewless aerial vehicles and multiple modern technologies to support their missions.

• Besides asserting territorial integrity in India, they participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations in agreement with India's commitment to the United Nations Charter.

• As they are specially trained, they know when to assert special reconnaissance and surveillance missions and assist in amphibious actions.

• They aid in counter-terrorism operations by providing special reconnaissance missions.

• These Armed Forces are necessary during special operations and direct action wherever necessary.

• Indian Military knows the reasons and results of Indian airstrikes and engages laser designators to lead Indian attacks whenever necessary.

• These Special Military Forces provide security to Indian border posts in critical areas. These are especially in the land borders with Pakistan, China and Bangladesh.

• Special Military Forces aid the safety and security of the Indian High Commission in foreign lands. Besides, they protect their Indian dignitaries who visit various offices abroad.

The Security Forces that handle various threats in India are classified into: the Indian Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces of India and Central Armed Police Forces. While Indian Armed Forces are Indian Military Forces, Paramilitary Forces and Central Armed Police Forces assist the Military Forces. The defence services in India consist of three services. 

So, here goes the types of military:

1. The Indian Army

The Indian Army is the largest land-based component of the Indian Armed Forces, operationally and geographically categorised into seven Commands. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) commands this division. It is considered the second-largest active Army in the world. Para Commandos are Special Forces of the Indian Army.

2. The Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is the maritime division of the Indian Armed Forces. The Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy is the President of India. The Chief of Naval Staff, a four-star admiral, commands the navy. The Indian Navy functions under three Commands. 

These include - the Eastern Naval Command, the Western Naval Command and Southern Naval Command. Marine Commando Force or MARCOS are Special Forces of the Indian Navy.

3. The Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force is the air division of the Indian Armed Forces. The Armed Forces Act of 1947 in the Indian Constitution and the Air Force Act of 1950 defines its mission. Garud Commando Force is the Special Forces division of the Indian Air Force. This Special Force is the 4th largest Air Force in the world.

India also has dedicated Special Forces within each security force. In addition, there are two specialised Urban Warfare, including Anti-Terrorism and VIP protection units.

The Military, Paramilitary and Central Armed Police Force have a common motto, preserving the integrity of India and protecting it against any threats. However, each carries specific tasks that differentiate them from each other. Below are the differences between all three:

1. Sub-Divisions

The subdivisions of these three are different according to their ranks and tasks, such as:

• Military Forces - It is categorised into Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. 

• Paramilitary Forces - It is divided into Assam Rifles, Indian Coast Guard, Special Frontier Force, Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Defence Security Corps.

• Central Armed Police Force or CAPF - It is categorised into Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Border Security Force, National Security Guard (NSG), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

2. Motto/Agenda

Every division has a different agenda for performing their roles, responsibilities and tasks. These are as follows:

• Military Forces - The main agenda of Military Forces is to work closely and protect India from every external threat.

• Paramilitary Forces - The Paramilitary Force protects our nation's citizens from internal violence, riots, attacks, etc.

• Central Armed Police Force or CAPF - CAPF protects India's border and sensitive areas of India and assists our state police in maintaining law and order within every region.

3. Reporting Authority

The Reporting Authorities of each of them vary as well. These are as follows:

• Military Forces - Reporting Authority of Military Forces is the Ministry of Defence.

• Paramilitary Forces - The Paramilitary Force reports to Indian Coast Guard, Special Frontier Force and Assam Rifles.

• Central Armed Police Force or CAPF - The CAPF reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

4. Head of the Force

The head of each of these forces varies as well. These are as follows:

• Military Forces - A Four-Star Officer of Equivalent Rank to the Army General heads Military Forces. The Supreme Commander of Military Forces is the President of India.

• Paramilitary Forces - A Three-Star Officer of Equivalent Rank of Director General of Police heads Paramilitary Force.

• Central Armed Police Force or CAPF - An IPS officer heads the CAPF. A CAPF cadre officer can also be promoted to the designation of Assistant Director General of Police. However, the post of Director General is reserved for an IPS officer.

The Indian military comprises the Indian Army, which follows a well-defined rank structure. It includes Commissioned, Non- Commissioned Officers and Junior Commissioned Officers. Every rank follows specific roles and duties. 

Moreover, their insignia distinguishes every individual within this military hierarchy. These ranks serve as a symbol of expertise, leadership and authority. Additionally, they define hierarchy and command structure appropriately. Below are the different designations in detail:

1. Commissioned Officers

Commissioned officers have leadership ranks and are responsible for commanding and leading the soldiers. As these officers progress through their designations, their duties and scope of command increase. Below are their ranks and insignia:

• Field Marshal: National Emblem on a crossed sword and baton in a lotus blossom wreath
• General: Positioned on a crossed sword and baton, with a star and National Emblem
• Lieutenant General: Crossed sword and baton, showcasing National Emblem placed above
• Major General: Five stars positioned above a crossed baton and sabre
• Brigadier: Three stars in a triangle and National Emblem above
• Colonel: Two stars and National Emblem on it
• Lieutenant Colonel: One Star and National Emblem placed on it
• Major: National Emblem
• Captain: Three stars in one line
• Lieutenant: Two stars in one line

2. Junior Commissioned Officers

JCOs, or Junior Commissioned Officers, hold positions bridging gaps between Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers. Junior Commissioned Officers are responsible for technical expertise and leadership. The ranks, along with insignia, are as follows:

• Subedar Major: A gold national emblem with a stripe

• Subedar: Two gold stars aligned in one line with a stripe

• Naib Subedar: One gold star with a stripe

3. Non-Commissioned Officers/ Other Officers

Non-commissioned officers, or NCOs, are the backbone of the Indian Army. They hold ranks and authoritative positions and are responsible for training, welfare, and maintaining discipline in the soldiers. The designations and their insignia are as follows:

• Company Quarter Master Havildar or CQMH: Three Strips and Ashoka Chakra on top

• Havildar: Three rank chevrons

• Naik: Two rank chevrons

• Lance Naik: Single-rank chevrons

• Sepoy: Plain shoulder badge 

This is all the information on what Military is and how they function. It is important to note that these Special Military Forces function on critical missions and use the most advanced machinery and weapons during warfare. Beyond performing their tasks diligently, what instils their thirst is serving their motherland. 

Therefore, from sabotaging enemy attacks to disrupting enemy strategies skilfully, they carry out all operations to safeguard India.