Indianised and gender-neutral designations in the navy soon

The Indian Navy has completed a review of ranks held by sailors, inherited from the British era, and is set to replace them with Indianised designations as part of a larger drive to jettison colonial military traditions, with gender-neutral changes to the ranks also to be announced shortly, two officials aware of the matter said on Sunday. More than 65,000 sailors will now get new ranks.

- Rahul Singh

Seven ranks in the navy's personnel below officer rank (PBOR) cadre will be redesignated, including three existing titles that are not gender-neutral in a service that began inducting women as sailors for the first time earlier this year, one of the officials said.

The Indianised ranks will be the latest in a series of changes introduced by the navy in the past one year to discard traditions associated with the British empire, including adopting a new ensign, doing away with batons for commanders and allowing traditional Indian wear in officers' messes.

The ranks that will be made to align with Indian traditions are Master Chief Petty Officer Ist Class, Master Chief Petty Officer IInd Class, Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer, Leading Seaman, Seaman Ist Class and Seaman IInd Class, HT has learnt.