King's Commissioned Indian Officer

A King's commissioned Indian officer (KCIO) was an Indian officer of the British Indian Army who held a full King's commission after training in the United Kingdom, either at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst for infantry officers, Woolwich for artillery officers, and Chatham and Woolwich for engineer officers. They had full command over British and Indian troops and officers. In contrast, the Indian commissioned officers (ICOs), who were trained at the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun, and the Viceroy's commissioned officers (VCOs), only had authority over Indian troops and officers. KCIOs were introduced in the early 20th century under the Indianisation process. They were equivalent in every way to the British officers holding a King's commission (known in India as King's commissioned officers, or KCOs). In essence, they were commissioned by the King himself at a special induction ceremony. They held the same ranks and privileges as British officers. In fact, most KCIOs served on attachment to a British unit for a year or two early in their careers.

There would be an entrance examination and pre-selection interview for KCIOs.

British Indian Army king's/queen's commissioned officer (KCO/QCO) rank insignia

Rank group	General officers				Field officers				Junior officers
British Indian Army epaulette rank insignia
Rank	Field marshal	General	Lieutenant-general	Major-general	Brigadier	Colonel	Lieutenant-colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second lieutenant	Officer cadet
Abbreviation	FM	Gen	LtGen	MajGen	Brig	Col	LtCol	Maj	Capt	Lt	2Lt	OCdt