Brigadier (India)

Brigadier is a one-star rank in the Indian Army. Brigadier ranks above the rank of Colonel and below the two-star rank of Major General.

The equivalent rank in the Indian Navy is commodore and in the Indian Air Force is air commodore.



History
Colonel K. M. Cariappa was the first Indian to be promoted to the rank of brigadier, when he was promoted to the acting rank on 1 November 1944 during World War II. He however was not appointed a brigade commander, but a member of the Army reorganisation committee. He was appointed to the regular rank of brigadier on 1 May 1945 (the rank of brigadier was then a temporary appointment rather than a substantive rank).

Appointments
Officers in the rank of brigadier command brigades. They also fill staff appointments like Brigadier General Staff (BGS) and Brigadier Administration (Brig Adm) at Corps headquarters. The military attachés and military advisors at India's high commissions and embassies in select countries are officers of the rank of brigadier. At Army headquarters, brigadiers hold the appointments of deputy director general of directorates and branches.

Insignia
The badge of rank has the National emblem over three five-pointed stars in a triangular formation. A brigadier wears gorget patches which are crimson patches with one golden star.

Pay scale
Brigadiers are at pay level 13A, with a monthly pay between ₹139,600 and ₹217,600 with a Military Service Pay(MSP) of ₹15,500. The promotion to the rank is through selection and 25 years of commissioned service is required for an officer to be considered.