The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word INSIGNIA
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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N
S
I
G
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A
More clues leading to the result INSIGNIA
- Mini casing starts to drop off, making marks
- Elected, one inside gains new badge of office
- Badge one gains in manoeuvres
- Just over half of trivial article forming badge of office
- Latin sign I assume contains symbols associated with office
- Indications of office sin: gin-swilling one on one
- Official marks popular gain and is made to look daft
- Badge insinuating drunken crazy nut should be ousted
- Paganini is to be played without ‘pop’ symbols
- One gains in collecting badges of office
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does INSIGNIA mean?
INSIGNIA noun- A patch or other object that indicates a person's official or military rank, or membership in a group or organization.
- A symbol or token of personal power, status, or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction.
- A mark or token by which anything is known.