No more Humiliation of Army Ranks
The rank structure of the Indian Army, particularly for its Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), has been a subject of discussion regarding its suitability in the modern military context and its impact on the dignity of the personnel. Ranks like Subedar, Havildar, and Sepoy trace their roots to old Mughal terminology used during the Islamic reign, which some veterans argue is historically significant but less aligned with the contemporary roles and status of these soldiers.
The demand for redesigning these ranks is rooted in the belief that the current nomenclature, especially for the high-ranking NCOs, does not accord the respect and dignity commensurate with their critical roles and responsibilities, particularly when compared to equivalent ranks in the Indian Navy and Air Force, and other developed nations armies.
The Dignity Concern: The Case of ‘Havildar’
The rank of Havildar presents a central case for re-evaluation.
- Role and Status in Indian Army: A Havildar is the highest-ranking Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) before promotion to the Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) cadre. They are the backbone of the unit, responsible for the training, discipline, and immediate command of a section or platoon’s sub-units. Their role is supervisory, leadership-oriented, and tactically crucial.
- Civilian Misconception: In various civilian government organisations, the term equivalent to ‘Havildar’ is often associated with roles like a Chowkidar (guard) or similar lower-status positions, leading to a perceived degradation of the Army rank’s status in public perception.
- Comparison with Sister Services: The rank structure of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy primarily uses the term ‘Officer’ in their equivalent NCO/JCO ranks (e.g., Warrant Officer, Petty Officer), suggesting a higher perceived status in nomenclature.
Proposed Alternatives and Global Alignment
To restore the dignity and better reflect the responsibilities of the Havildar rank, various suggestions have been put forth:
| Suggested New Rank | Rationale |
| Sergeant | Most common equivalent in global armies; aligns with professional military terminology. |
| Junior Officer | Directly elevates the perceived status by aligning it closer to the commissioned/junior commissioned officer structure. |
| Junior Commander | Emphasises the command and leadership role performed by the individual. |
A detailed study reveals that a vast majority (approximately 95%) of developed countries’ armies use the term “Sergeant” for the rank equivalent to the Indian Army’s Havildar. This global consensus strongly supports its adoption for standardization and immediate recognition of the rank’s status.
Comparative Ranks: Havildar Equivalent in Developed Armies
The following table provides a comparison of the Indian Army’s Havildar rank, which is a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) position, with its approximate equivalents in the ground forces of major developed nations, demonstrating the global prevalence of the “Sergeant” nomenclature.
| Country | Indian Army Equivalent Rank |
| India | Havildar |
| United States Army (USA) | Sergeant |
| British Army (UK) | Sergeant |
| French Army | Sergent |
| Canadian Army | Sergeant |
| Australian Army | Sergeant |
| German Army (Bundeswehr) | Stabsunteroffizier / Feldwebel |
Note on Indian Army OR-4/OR-5: The Indian Army ranks of Naik (OR-3) and Havildar (OR-4) are generally seen as equivalent to Corporal and Sergeant respectively in the British/Commonwealth system, which many developed armies follow.5 However, in some contexts, the Havildar is compared to US Army’s Sergeant (E-5/OR-5) or even Staff Sergeant (E-6/OR-6) given the depth of their experience before JCO promotion.
Conclusion
The argument for re-designating the rank of Havildar (and potentially other ranks like Subedar and Sepoy) is compelling, resting on the need to:
- Eliminate Confusion and Undignified Comparisons: Remove the ambiguity and demeaning comparisons that arise from the current rank’s association in the civilian domain.
- Standardise with Global Norms: Align the rank nomenclature with approximately 95% of the world’s developed armies, where the term Sergeant is universally accepted for this crucial leadership role.
- Restore and Elevate Dignity: Bestow a rank that explicitly reflects the high degree of training, responsibility, seniority, and leadership expected of a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the modern Indian Army.
Accepting the suggestion of Sergeant as the new rank for Havildar would be a decisive step towards re-establishing the due dignity of these senior soldiers, ensuring both national pride and international recognition of their professional status.
All Exservicemen Association and veterans may approach the concerned authorities addressing the concerned issue for consideration and redesign the rank to restore dignity of Senior NCO rank of the Indian Army. To watch Video in this regard click below –
