The Indian Army has now decided to implement a new grading system for three star officers (Lieutenant General). In the grading system, officers of Lieutenant General rank will be rated on a scale of 1 to 9. Its numbers will be given in their ACR Annual Confidential Report (ACR). This new system will come into effect from March 31. Till now, the grading system in the army was applicable only up to the rank of Major General.
In fact, about two years ago, the Integrated Defense Staff (IDS) had proposed a grading system according to the work of three star officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force. In the proposal, it was said that the work of officers and responsibilities for new postings should be decided according to grading. This grading system has already been implemented in Navy and Air Force, now Indian Army is also taking steps in this direction.
Earlier the grading system was only up to Major General.
Till now the grading system in the Indian Army was limited only to Major General rank. After becoming Lieutenant General, the performance of officers was not evaluated. Under the new system, all Lieutenant General officers except the Army Commander and Vice-Army Chief will be evaluated. However, under the new system, except Army Commanders and Army Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Lieutenant Generals will also have to undergo grading.
What will change with the grading system?
Transparency and efficiency in the army will increase through the new system. Lieutenant General level officers will now be judged on the basis of their seniority as well as their performance and service period (minimum 1.5 years remaining). This arrangement will be especially helpful in leadership selection during the formation of theater commands. A senior Army officer said, “This grading system will identify those officers who are best suited for higher responsibilities, such as corps commander or army commander. This selection will no longer be based on seniority alone.”
How many stars rank wise in army
When an officer becomes a Brigadier after promotion from the rank of Colonel in the Army, he is called a One Star Officer. Major General is a two star rank officer above Brigadier. Similarly, after Major General, Lieutenant General is a three star rank officer and after Lieutenant General, General (Army Chief) is a four star rank officer. Having a grading system will also help in deciding who can become corps army commanders. With this new initiative, the Indian Army wants to ensure transparency and merit-based system in its leadership selection, so that the best officers can be selected for strategic roles.