PCDA Circular 501
The Office of PCDA (Pensions) published a detailed circular on 17 January 2013, which was circulated by the Ministry of Defence letter No.1(13)/2012/D(Pen/Policy) dated 17.01.2013 regarding improvement in pension to bridge the gap in pension of Pre 1.1.2006 and Post 1.1.2006 discharged JCOs / ORs of the Armed Forces will be effective from 24.9.2012.
A table indicating equivalent rank of JCOs/ORs in Army, Navy and Air Force is also given in Appendix Y to this circular for guidance of Pension Disbursing Authority for determining pension admissible as per this GOI, MOD letter enclosed.
EQUIVALENCE OF RANKS IN THE THREE SERVICES OF ARMED FORCES
A. Indian Commissioned Officers (ICOs)
| Army | Air Force | Navy |
| Lt. / 2nd Lt. | Fg. Offr | Sub Lt. |
| Captain | Flt. Lt. | Lt. |
| Major | Sqn Ldr. | Lt. Cdr. |
| Lt. Colonel (TS) | Wg. Cdr (TS) | Cdr. (TS) |
| Colonel (TS) | Wg. Cdr. (S) | Capt. (TS) |
| Colonel | Gp. Capt. (TS) | Capt. |
| Brigadier | Air Commodore | Commodore |
| Major General | Air Vice Marshal | Rear Admiral |
| Lt. General | Air Marshal | Vice Admiral |
| DGAFMS | ||
| Lt. General (Army Cdr/ Vice Chief of Army Staff) |
Air Marshal (AOC-in-C)/ Vice Chief of Air Staff) |
Vice Admiral (FOC-in-C) |
| Chief of Army Staff/ Field Marshal |
Chief of Air Staff | Chief of Naval Staff |
B. Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Ranks(ORs)
| ARMY | AIF FORCE | NAVY |
| Sepoy | AC/LAC | Seaman- I & II and equivalent |
| Naik/ L Dafadar | Corporal | Leading Seaman & equivalent |
| Havildar/ Dafadar | Sergeant | Petty Officer/Mech-IV/Artificer-IV |
| —- | —- | Artificer-III-I/Mech-III-I |
| Nb Subedar/ Nb Risaldar/Jamadar | JWO | CPO/Mech I,II & III/Artificer I, II & III Chief Artificer / Chief Mech- I & II |
| Subedar/ Risaldar | WO | Master Chief Petty Officer- II Master Chief Mech- II Master Chief Art- II |
| Sub Major | MWO | Master Chief Petty Officer – I Master Chief Mech- I Master Chief Art- I |
| NCs(E) | NCs(E), Tindal, Head Tindal |
Note:- Recruits are equivalent to Sepoy (Lowest group)
C. Honorary Ranks(JCOs)
| ARMY | AIF FORCE | NAVY |
| Sub/Hony Lt | WO/Hony Fly. Officer | MCPO-II/Sub Lt |
| Sub Maj/Hony Lt | MWO/Hony Fly. Officer | MCPO-I/Sub Lt |
| Sub/Hony Capt | WO/Hony Flt. Lt. | MCPO-II/Hony Lt |
| Sub Maj/Hony Capt. | MWO/Hony Flt. Lt. | MCPO-I/Hony Lt |
Check Other Terms of Engagement for JCO and OR of Armed Forces:
- Equivalent Ranks of Commissioned Officer and PBOR in three Services
- Terms of Engagements for Regular Army Appendix X
- Terms of Engagements for Air Force Appendix X
- Terms of Engagements for Navy Appendix X
- Terms of Engagements for DSC Appendix X
- Equivalence of Ranks in The Three Services of Armed Forces Appendix Y
- Equivalence of Groups in The Three Services of Armed Forces Appendix Z