CAPF AC 2020 Q38: Defence & Security – Armed Forces & Operations
Which one among the following is the equivalent rank of 'Wing Commander' of Indian Air Force in Indian Army?
- (a) Lieutenant
- (b) Captain
- (c) Lieutenant Colonel
- (d) Colonel
Answer: (c) Lieutenant Colonel
Explanation
Equivalent ranks in the three Services
How to think: count the steps from the bottom of the officer ladder.
Wing Commander is the fourth rank in the Air Force.
The fourth rank in the Army is Lieutenant Colonel.
| Step | Army | Navy | Air Force |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer |
| 2 | Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant |
| 3 | Major | Lieutenant Commander | Squadron Leader |
| 4 | Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander |
| 5 | Colonel | Captain | Group Captain |
| 6 | Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore |
Trap: a Captain in the Navy equals a Colonel in the Army, not an Army Captain.
Answer: (c) Lieutenant Colonel.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. An Army Lieutenant equals a Flying Officer in the Air Force.
- (b) Incorrect. An Army Captain equals a Flight Lieutenant.
- (c) CORRECT. A Wing Commander equals a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army.
- (d) Incorrect. An Army Colonel equals a Group Captain, one step higher.
Key point
Lieutenant Colonel (Army) = Commander (Navy) = Wing Commander (Air Force). Colonel = Captain (Navy) = Group Captain.
Remember
Wing Commander = Lieutenant Colonel = Commander (Navy).
Common mistakes
- Placing Wing Commander one step too high, equal to Colonel.
- Treating a Navy Captain as equal to an Army Captain.
- Forgetting Squadron Leader, which equals a Major.
Exam tip
Air Force ladder: Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain.
Sources
- Indian Air Force — Rank structure of officers
- Ministry of Defence — Equivalent ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force