BASIC ORGANISATION OF ARMED FORCES

ARMY

Introduction

1. The present day Indian Army owes its origin to British days. It was then used as
an instrument for the expansion and preservation of the British Empire.

2. At the time of independence in 1947, due to partition of the sub-continent, the old
Indian Army was also divided. Since then the Army has continued to be re-organised and
modernised.

3. The Army since independence has taken part in the following major operations in
defence of our borders :-

(a) Kashmir Operations against Pakistan 1947-48.

(b) Sino- Indian Operations in NEFA (Arunanchal) and Laddakh 1962.

(c) Indo-Pak war 1965.

(d) Indo – Pak war 1971.

(e) Kargil conflict 1999.

4. In addition, Army has taken part in peace keeping missions under United Nations
in various parts of the world.

5. Services of the Army and Air Force have been extensively utilized in aid of civil
authorities during natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes.

6. The Army today is self–reliant in respect of its requirements of conventional

weapons and is fully geared to meet any external aggression on our borders.

Command and Control

7. Command. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of all the Armed
Forces of the country. The Chief of Army staff is the head of the Indian Army and is
responsible for its command, training, operations and administration. He carries out these
functions through Army Headquarters (Army HQ).

8. Command Headquarters. The whole country is divided into seven commands.

These are Northern, Western, Central, Southern, South Western, Eastern and Training
Command. The Command HQ exercises operational responsibility. It is commanded
by an officer of the rank of Lt General.

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9. Field Formations. Corps, Divisions and Brigades. These are commanded by
an officer of the rank of Lt General, Maj General and Brigadier respectively.

10. Static Formations. Area and Sub Area Headquarters. These are commanded by
an officer of the rank of Maj General and Brigadier respectively.
Fighting Arms

11. Armour. Armour by virtue of its mobility, fire power, protection

and shock action is most aptly suited for present day battle field environment. The basic
role of armour is to destroy the enemy by relentless, mobile offensive action, both in
offensive and defensive operations.
12. Infantry. Infantry is essentially an arm of close combat. Its role in attack is to
close in with the enemy and destroy or capture him and capture and hold ground. In
defence it is to hold ground against all forms of enemy’s attack. It is also employed in
counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations.
13. Mechanised Infantry. It is just like infantry with enhanced mobility and fire
power. Mechanised Infantry moves in armoured personnel carrier (APC) which has
adequate protection against small arms fire. Their mobility in conjunction with Armour
enables own troops to obtain most favourable decision in battle. The emphasis is on
mobility, fire power and manoeuvre rather than manpower.
Supporting Arms
14. Artillery. Artillery provides heavy volume of fire at long ranges to damage and
destroy enemy positions before it can be physically captured and occupied by own
ground forces.
15. Engineers. The role of Engineers in war is to provide support for offensive and
defensive operations in mine warfare, bridging, demolitions, construction of field
fortifications and operational roads/tracks.
16. Army Air Defence. Army Air Defence is equipped with air defence guns and
short and medium range surface to air missile systems. Along with Air Force it provides
air defence to Mobile Forces, Vulnerable Areas and Vulnerable Points.
17. Army Aviation Corps. The role of Army Aviation Corps is reconnaissance
and observation by controlling artillery and infantry mortar fire from air. It provides
commanders and staff rapid means for liaison visits. It is ideally suited for evacuation of
battle casualties.
18. Signals. The role of Signals is to provide radio, radio relay and line
communication and establish signal centre during war and peace. It also monitors
enemy’s communication systems.

Supporting Services

19. These elements provide administrative cover to the Fighting and Supporting Arms
thus enabling them to carry out their tasks. The services and the functions of some of
them in brief are :-

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(a) Army Service Corps - Supply of rations, POL and transport.

(b) Army Medical Corps - Provision of medical cover.

(c) Army Ordnance Corps -Supply of armament, ammunition,

vehicles, clothing, tentage and all
equipment.

(d) Corps of Electronics and - Repair, recovery and maintenance of

Mechanical Engineers all vehicles, arms, electrical, electronic
and mechanical equipment.

(e) Remount and Veterinary - Maintain and train animals utilized by

Corps. the army like mules for carrying loads,
dogs for tracking and sniffing, horses for
equestrian activities

(f) Army Education Corps - Impart military and civilian education to

troops.

(g) The Intelligence Corps - Gather intelligence of the enemy and

prevent leakage of own information to the
enemy.

(h) The Corps of Military Police - Help in maintaining discipline relating to

army personnel

(h) Judge Advocate General -Deals with legal matters relating to the
Branch Armed Forces

(k) Army Physical Training -Deals with physical education and sports
Corps in the Armed Forces

(l) The Pioneer Corps -Deals with provision and looking after
manpower for load carriage in the Armed
Forces.

(m) Defence Security Corps - Provide security to VAs ,VPs and other
important installations.

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 NAVY

Introduction

20. Enveloping the country from almost three sides and stretching over 6000 Kms of
our coast line, the sea has always exerted a decisive influence on India’s freedom , trade,
commerce, and culture.

Constituents of the Navy

21. The Indian Navy is equipped with several ships of different types and naval
aircrafts. Shore facilities have been provided at various places in the country to train
personnel for the Navy, repair ships and aircrafts, and provide the fleets with logistic
support.
Organisation and Administration

22. The Naval Headquarters at New Delhi exercises administrative and operational
control over the Navy through various “ Administrative Authorities”. For this purpose the
Navy is divided into three commands. These are:-

(a) Western Naval Command with HQ at Mumbai.

(b) Eastern Naval Command with HQ at Vishakhapatnam.

(c) Southern Naval Command with HQ at Cochin.

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23. The Navy has at present two fleets, viz the Western Fleet and the Eastern Fleet,
each commanded by Flag Officer of the rank of a Rear Admiral. The Southern Naval
Command is basically a Training Command governing the Training Establishments in
the Indian Navy. It has under its command an afloat Training Squadron. It is also allotted
operational ships or aircraft from time to time as the situation warrants.

24. 04 December 1971 was the finest hour of the Indian Navy when its valiant missile
boats daringly attacked Karachi Harbour and caused havoc to Pakistani ships and shore
installations.

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 AIR FORCE

Introduction

25. Indian Air Force is the youngest of the three Services. It was in 1932 that an Act
was passed in Indian Legislature for establishing the Indian Air Force on the
recommendations of Skeen Committee.

Organisation

26. Air Headquarters

(a) Air Headquarters comprises the Chief of the Air Staff and his principal
staff officers.
(b) The staff of Air Headquarters consists of three branches, viz the Air Staff,
Administrative and Maintenance branches, each being organized into
Directorates.

Commands

27. The Air Force is organized into seven commands which are functionally and
administratively controlled by Air HQ. Each Command is placed under the command of
an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. The Commands are :-

(a) Western Air Command.

(b) Central Air Command

( c) Eastern Air Command.

(d) South Western Air Command.

(e) Southern Air Command.

(f) Training Command.

(g) Maintenance Command.

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28. These commands have a number of formations under them.

29. Since independence the IAF has taken part in all the major operations in defence
of our country’s borders e.g. Kashmir operations in 1947-48, Sino-Indian Conflict 1962,
Indo Pak War 1965, 1971 and Kargil Conflict 1999.

30. IAF has always been called upon to render assistance to civil authorities in cases
of various natural calamities like floods, earthquakes and tsunami.

31. IAF contingents have also taken part in the peace keeping missions of United
Nations.

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BADGES AND RANKS

ARMY

Field Marshal

General

Lieutenant General

Major General

Brigadier

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Colonel

Lieutenant Colonel

Major

Captain

Lieutenant

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 Subedar Major Subedar Naib Subedar
Risaldar Major Risaldar Naib Risaldar

Bn . Hav. Major Bn . QM. Hav Coy. Hav. Major

Coy. QM. Hav Havildar

Naik Lance Naik

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 NAVY

Admiral of the Fleet

Admiral

Vice Admiral

Rear Admiral

Commodore

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 Captain

Commander

Lieutenant
Commander

Lieutenant

Sub Lieutenant

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 CAP BADGES

Master Chief Petty Officer Other Ranks

SHOULDER BADGES
GOOD CONDUCT

Master Chief Master Chief Chief 12 Years

Petty Officer(i)Petty Officer(ii) Petty Officer

ARM BADGES

8 Years

Petty Officer Leading Ranks 4 Years

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AIR FORCE

Marshal of the Air Force

Air Chief Marshal

Air Marshal

Air Vice Marshal

Air Commodore

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Group Captain

Wing Commander

Squadron Leader

Flight Lieutenant

Flying Officer

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Master Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer

Junior Warrant Sergeant

Officer

Corporal Leading Aircraftman

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 HONOURS AND AWARDS

Indian Armed Forces Awards

1. For the purpose of classification, Indian Armed Forces Honours and Awards can
be divided in to two categories:-

(a) Gallantry Awards.

(b) Non-Gallantry Awards.

2. Gallantry Awards. Gallantry awards are again divided into two categories:-

(a) Gallantry in the Face of Enemy

(i) Param Vir Chakra.

(ii) Maha Vir Chakra.
(iii) Vir Chakra.
(iv) Sena, Nao Sena and Vayu Sena Medal.
(v) Mention in Dispatches.
(vi) Chiefs of Staff Commendation Card.

(b) Gallantry other than in the face of the enemy

(i) Ashoka Chakra.

(ii) Kirti Chakra.
(iii) Shaurya Chakra.

Note:- These were originally named Ashoka Chakra Class I, Class II, Class III

3. Non-Gallantry Awards are as follows:-

(a) Bharat Ratna.

(b) Padma Vibhushan.
(c) Padma Bhushan.
(d) Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal.
(e) Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
(f) Padma Shri.
(g) Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak.

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 (h) Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.
(j) Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
(k) President’s Police and Fire Service Medal for Gallantry.
(l) President’s Police Medal For Gallantry.
(m) President’s Fire Service Medal For Gallantry.
(n) President’s Correctional Service Medal For Gallantry.
(o) President’s Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal For Gallantry.
(q) Yuddh Seva Medal.
(r) Vishisht Seva medal.

Conditions of Eligibility and Eligible Categories

sConditions of Eligibility and Eligible Categories for some of the awards are givenin
succeeding paras.

Param Vir Chakra

a. Conditions of Eligibility. Awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some

daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice, in the presence of the
enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. The decoration may be
awarded posthumously.

b. Eligible Categories. Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army, the
Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial
Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted Armed Forces. Matrons,
Sisters, Nurses and staff of the Nursing Services and other Services
pertaining to Hospital and Nursing and Civilians of either sex serving
regularly or temporarily under the orders, directions or supervision of any of
the above-mentioned Forces.

c. Monetary Allowances. Rs 1500/-pm and each bar to the decoration another

Rs 1500/-pm to all recipients.

Ashok Chakra

a. Conditions of Eligibility. Awarded for most conspicuous bravery, or some

act of daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice otherwise than in
the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded posthumously.

b. Eligible Categories. Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army,
the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, Territorial
Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted Forces. Members of the
Nursing Services of the Armed Forces. Civilian citizens of either sex in all
walks of life, other than members of Police Force and of recognized Fire
Services.
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 c. Monetary Allowances. Rs 1400/-pm and each bar to the decoration Rs
1400/-pm to all recipients.

Param Vishisht Seva Medal

a. Conditions of Eligibility. For distinguished service of the most exceptional

order.

b. Eligible Categories. All ranks of the Armed Forces including

Territorial Army units, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces (when embodied)
and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces. Nursing officers and other
members of the Nursing Services in the Armed Forces.

Vir Chakra

a. Conditions of Eligibility. For the acts of gallantry in the presence of enemy,

whether on land or at sea or in the air. The decoration may be awarded
posthumously.

b. Eligible Categories. Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army,
the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial
Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted Armed Forces. Matrons,
Sisters, Nurses and staff of the Nursing Services and other Services
pertaining to Hospital and Nursing and Civilians of either sex serving
regularly or temporarily under the orders, directions or supervision of any of
the above-mentioned Forces.

c. Monetary Allowance. Rs. 850/- pm and each bar to the decoration Rs. 850/-
pm to all recipients.

Yuddh Seva Medal

a. Conditions of Eligibility. Awarded for distinguished service of a high order

during war/conflict/hostilities.

b. Eligible Categories. All ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force,
including those of Territorial Army units, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces and
other lawfully constituted Armed Forces when embodied. Nursing officers
and other members of the Nursing Services in the Armed Forces.

Sena Medal

a. Conditions of Eligibility. Awarded for such individual acts of exceptional

devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army, Navy
and Air Force. The award may be made posthumously.

b. Eligible Categories. All ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

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 c. Monetary Allowances. Rs 250/- pm and each bar to the medal Rs 250/-
pm to all Sena Medal (Gallantry) awardees.

NCC Awards

These awards are given to NCC personnel since 1984. It includes NCC Whole Time Lady
Officers (WTLO’s), Associate NCC Officers (ANO’s), Girls Cadet Instructors (GCI’s)
and NCC cadets.

Raksha Mantri’s Padak.

Raksha Mantri’s Padak is awarded to NCC personnel and cadets since 1989 for
performance of any exceptional act involving courage, devotion to duty and contribution
of lasting value to the NCC. In addition cash award of Rs 10000/- and a running Veer
Trophy is also given to the recipient of this award. Every year only one Raksha Mantri’s
Padak is awarded.

Raksha Mantri’s Prashansa Patra.

Raksha Mantri’s Commendation Card with Rs.7500/- cash is awarded to NCC personnel
and cadets since 1989 for any outstanding act involving leadership, courage or devotion to
duty, which enhances the image of the NCC. Every year maximum three Raksha Mantri’s
Commendation Cards are awarded.

Raksha Sachiv’s Prashansa Patra.

The Commendation Card with Rs 5000/- cash, is awarded since 1984 for outstanding act
or deed in the field of adventure sports, training or for outstanding contribution in social
or cultural activities. Every year maximum ten Raksha Sachiv Commendation Cards are
awarded.

Maha Nideshak’s Prashansa Patra.

This Commendation Card with Rs 1000/- cash, is awarded since 1984 for outstanding
act or deed in the field of adventure sports, training or for outstanding contribution in
social or cultural activities. There is no limit to the number for award of Maha
Nideshak’s Prashansa Patra.

Maha Nideshak’s Prashansa Patra To Civilian Personnel.

It is awarded to Central Government civilian officers/staff posted at various levels in the
NCC, for displaying outstanding and distinguished service, dedication and devotion to work
and outstanding contribution for efficient management of various NCC activities including
camps.

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 CONCEPT OF COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES

Introduction

1. The nature of modern warfare is characterized by technological complexities

that demand that our armed forces fight as a team. A country like India endowed
with a geostrategic location in the Asian sub- continent must have basic structures
and systems to manage its national security. Modern wars have become total,
complex and highly specialized requiring suitable organizations to wage wars. The
fast-changing scenarios have overtaken the present Indian system making it
redundant. The times when each Service could fight its own war in isolation and
without integration of the other two services is a legacy of the past. Military
thinking throughout the world accepts as a truism that modern war must be fought
by all three services under a single commander and unless done, the chances of
success will be small.

Concept

2. The concept of three dimensional warfare or combined operations wherein

the three wings of the armed forces i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force, have to operate
as a single cohesive force against the enemy is the norm of the day.

3. Efforts have been made in this direction in our country also. Exchange of
officers among the three services during various training course, sand model
discussion and exercises at various levels is very useful in understanding the
working ethos of other services. It ultimately leads to cohesiveness at ground level.
A very good example of inter services co-operation is Indo Pak war 1971 and recently
Kargil war 1999 where in Army and Air Force worked in unison achieved
remarkable results.

4. Currently Integrated Command having all the three services under its wing is
established at Port Blair to institutionalize the concept of three-dimensional warfare
and same is working very efficiently.

Conclusion

5. National defence is not a concern of either military forces or the national

government but of the nation as a whole. A nation’s security rests on many
resources: human, economic, natural, technological, political to name but a few. The
national aim during any war would be to win, for which all the national
resources will be employed. The defence services are the most important tool
available with the government to achieve its aim. However, individually no single
service on its own can achieve this aim. Therefore, there is a need to adopt a
joint/common approach towards attainment of the national aim and this is only
possible when the three services work and operate together, both during peace and
war.

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1. write to and false
i. present chief of Army staff is General Bipin Rawat false
ii. Shivaji was born and Shivneri true
iii. Subhash Chandra Bose is the first army chief of India False
iv. The northern command is in Chhattisgarh False
v. president is the supreme commander of Indian Army True

2. fill in the blanks

i. Field Marshal Manekshaw was the chief of Army of India during war against Pakistan in
1971
ii. Fort William is the headquarter of eastern command
iii. China invaded India in the year and 1962
iv. Kargil war was fought in the year 1999 Against Pakistan
v. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister of India during Kargil war
vi. Tiger Hill is situated in brass sector of J and K

3. write short notes on surrender of Pak army in Dhaka

under the command of Lieutenant General JS arorah the three corps of Indian Army which had
invaded East Pakistan entered Dhaka and forces pak forces to surrender on 16 December 1971 one day
after the battle of basantar after pak's Lieutenant General A K niazi signed the instrument of surrender
India took more than 90000 Pak prisoners of War

4. where first atom bomb was dropped?

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

5. what are the reasons of War?

1.Economic 2.Social 3. Political 4. Ideological 5. Emotional Factors

6. write a short note on Battle of Haldighati in about 50 words?

a) Battle of Haldighati was fought between Rajput and Mughal army in 1576
b) it was fought between 20000 Rajput and 80000 Mughal Army
c)the battle was indecisive
d) Maharana Pratap was saved by his strange brother however his famous Royal horse Chetak died
while saving Maharana

7. Fill in the blanks

i. During which period did Akbar ruled Mughal emperor 15th October 1542 - 27 october 1605
ii. Which was the fourth War fought between India and Pakistan the Kargil War
iii. Battle of Saraighat was fought between Mughals and Ahomes of Assam
iv. WOTA is located in Gwalior
v. Siachen Glacier is the highest battlefield of the world
vi. The first nuclear attack was launched by American at Hiroshima of Japan on 6th August 1945

8. Give out reasons for the success of guerrilla Warfare?

a) Public support
b) Latest information
c) Base and terrain
d) Destruction of infrastructure
e) Leadership and discipline
f) Flexible plan
g) Fluclity
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9. Match the following
a 1962 Indo China war
b 1965 Indo Pakistan war
c 1576 Haldighati Yudh
d 1999 Kargil
e 1757 Battle of Plassey
f 1671 Battle of Saraighat

10. what are the reasons for 1971 Indo Pak war? Explain in short?
a) East Pakistan was considered second-rate citizen by West Pakistan
b) General elections were held in December 1970 and Awami League of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
was against PPP(Pakistan People’s Party).
c) Mujibur Wanted full power for his elected members and form government.
d) Bhutto and Ayub Khan leaders of PPP did not like this idea.
e) General Tikka Khan consent to East Pakistan to suppress agitation by forces.
f) He launched operation blitz on unmanned civilians, and many were attacked.
g) This resulted in flow of about 10 million refugees to India.
h) Indians try to solve the issue between Khan and Muneebur.
i) Thus, the war was fought from 3 December 1971 to 16 December 1971 to free Bangladesh

11. write short notes on Field Marshal km Cariappa?

a) He was first chief of Army staff of Indian Army
b) First Indian to be commissioned at the age of 19
c) Born in Karnataka in 28 Jan 1899
d) Actively participated in 1962 1965 and 1971 Wars
e) He was also the first Field Marshal of India
f) He died at the age of 94 on 15th March 1993

12. Name some major operations and defence since Independence?

Operation Meghdoot
Operation Rajiv
Operation Pawan
Operation Cactus
Operation Vijay
Operation Parakram

13. Fill in the blanks

Third battle of Panipat was fought in 14th Jan 1765
NDA is at Khadakwasla
IMA main is at Dehradun
First time India explore nuclear device in Pokaran
Army Day celebrated on 15th Jan
2nd world war ended in September 1945
Gunpowder in battle in India first time was used by Mughal
The Tashkent agreement was signed in 1965 between India and Pakistan

14. Name two Field Marshal of Indian Army?

Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw
Field Marshal KM Cariappa

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15. What all major operations have been fought by Indian Army since independence?
16. What are names of Army commands?
17. Name the fighting arms?
18. Name the supporting services of the Army?
19. Name the various commands of the Navy?
20. Name the various commands of Air Force?
21. Name officers' ranks of Army in ascending order.
22. Name officers' ranks of Air Force in descending order.
23. Name officers' ranks of Navy in ascending order.
24. Name the gallantry awards in the face of the enemy?
25. Name the gallantry awards other than in the face of the enemy?
26. Name the NCC awards for NCC personals?
27. What is the concept of combined defence services?

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