Subedar-Major is the senior rank of Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian and Pakistani Armies, and formerly Viceroy's Commissioned Officer in the British Indian Army.
Although commissioned, they would be considered as senior enlisted personnel and fulfil a role similar to that of the most senior NCOs in other armies. A Battalion's single Subedar-Major assists the commander in much the same way as a Regimental Sergeant-Major would (to the extent that this rank, known as Regimental Havildar Major, is now almost obsolete in the Indian Army).
Under British rule a Subedar-Major wore the Crown of a full Major, a tradition which has continued with slight variation after independence. India now use Ashoka Lions with a gold and red stripe below, and Pakistan a Wreathed Star with green and red. These stripes separate Subedar-Majors from full commissioned Majors; in the Old Indian Army this distinction was made by race.
In the Cavalry, the equivalent rank is Risaldar-Major. Subedar Major or Risaldar-Major (Cavalry), equivalents to a British Major; Subedar or Risaldar (Cavalry) equivalents to Captain;