Question 66 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Miscellan eous (General Awarenes s)

Question

Which of the following is/are correctly matched in terms of equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces?
1. Brigadier : Air Commodore : Commander
2. Major General : Air Vice Marshal : Vice Admiral
3. Major : Squadron Leader : Lieutenant Commander
4. Lieutenant Colonel : Group Captain : Captain
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 3 only

Strategy: - Identify corresponding ranks across the Army, Air Force, and Navy, focusing on mid-level officer ranks.
- Use direct factual recall or an understanding of the correct equivalence hierarchy.
- The triad 'Major : Squadron Leader : Lieutenant Commander' forms a correct equivalence.
- Watch for common mismatches, such as:
    - 'Commander' is not equivalent to Brigadier.
    - 'Vice Admiral' is a three-star rank, higher than Major General.
    - 'Captain' in the Navy is not on par with Group Captain or Lieutenant Colonel.

Key Info: Equivalent officer ranks across the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy ensure parity in hierarchy and protocol.

*   Major (Army), Squadron Leader (Air Force), and Lieutenant Commander (Navy) are equivalent mid-level commissioned officer ranks.
*   Brigadier (Army) is equivalent to Air Commodore (Air Force) and Commodore (Navy), not Commander. Commander (Navy) is a lower rank, equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel (Army) and Wing Commander (Air Force).
*   Major General (Army), Air Vice Marshal (Air Force), and Rear Admiral (Navy) are equivalent. Vice Admiral (Navy) is a higher, three-star rank, matching Lieutenant General (Army) and Air Marshal (Air Force).
*   Lieutenant Colonel (Army) matches Wing Commander (Air Force) and Commander (Navy). Group Captain (Air Force) is higher, equivalent to Colonel (Army) and Captain (Navy).
*   The rank structure among the three services is closely harmonized to maintain equivalence for appointments, pay, and command. The Armed Forces are governed by respective service acts--the Army Act, 1950; Navy Act, 1957; and Air Force Act, 1950.

Answer

Option A: 1 and 4

Answer

Option B: 1 and 3

Answer

Option C: 2, 3, and 4