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The Indian Army holds more than 1.4 million, with 1,223 thousand personnel below officers’ ranks and the rest at higher ranks according to the rank structures. And with such significant numbers, the Indian Army is the third-largest army in the world.
In this article, we will share with you the rank structure of the Indian Army and the promotions that have been made in the fields. These promotions are based on each officer’s years of reckonable service in the Indian Army.Â
Rank Structure and Promotions in Indian Army
1. Acting Promotions in Peace and Field Concession Areas
a. Substantive Promotion
The officers capable of this type of promotion is upto Lieutenant Colonel, and the officers must have a rank of Colonel and above.
b. Local Promotion
The local promotions are made in DSR Para 88 to the officers at local ranks only.
Required Years of Commissioned Officers for Promotion
| Rank of Promotion Made in The Army | Commissioned Officer’s Total Minimum Service | Remarks |
| Captain | 1 year | – |
| Major | 4 years | 3 years in Field. |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 7 years | With minimum service of one years in the rank of substantive Major. |
| Colonel | 8 years & 6 months | With minimum service of two years in the rank (s) of Major and above. |
| Brigadier | 12 years | With minimum service of three years in rank(s) of Lt. Col and above. |
| Major General | 20 years | – |
| Lieutenant General | 25 years | – |
READ MORE: Indian Army Ranks and Salary [Salary by Rank]
Required Commissioned Service Years for Substantive Promotion
| Rank | Major Arms/Service | Vet Officers | MF | SL |
| Captain | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Major | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 13 | 17 | 13 | 13 |
| Colonel (TS) | 26 | – | 26 | 26 |
| Colonel (Selection) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Brigadier | 23(22)* | – | – | – |
| Major General | 25(24)* | – | – | – |
| Lieutenant General | 28 | – | – | – |
| General | No restriction | – | – | – |