The Order of Precedence is a protocol list in which the functionaries and authorities are recorded by rank and office in the Government of India. It is meant for State and Ceremonial occasions. It has no application in the day-to-day business of Government. The order is established by the President of India and is maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Important for the IAS Exam, this article will provide you with the table of precedence for Indian Polity subject preparation.
Order of Precedence is an important topic in the Indian Polity subject. To prepare for similar topics of UPSC Mains GS 2, aspirants can check the following links:
Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary accredited to India.
14
Chairmen and Speakers of State Legislatures (within their respective States.)
Chief Justices of High Courts (within their respective jurisdictions)
15
Cabinet Ministers in States (within their respective States)
Chief Ministers of Union Territories (within their respective Union Territories) and Chief Executive Councillor, Delhi (within their respective Union Territories)
Deputy Ministers of the Union
16
Officiating Chiefs of Staff holding the rank of Lieutenant General or equivalent rank.
Ministers of Union Territories and Executive Councillors, Delhi,(outside their respective Union)
Territories.
Principal Staff Officers of the Armed Forces of the rank of Major General or equivalent rank
Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories and Chairman of Delhi, Metropolitan Council, outside their respective Union Territories
26
Joint Secretaries to the Government of India and officers of equivalent rank Officers of the rank of Major-General or equivalent rank
UPSC Previous Years Questions Related to Table of Precedence
UPSC Prelims 2000
1. Consider the following functionaries:
Cabinet Secretary
Chief Election Commissioner
Union Cabinet Minister
Chief Justice of India
Their correct sequence in the Order of Precedence is:
A. 3, 4, 2, 1
B. 4, 3, 1, 2
C. 4, 3, 2, 1
D. 3, 4, 1, 2
Answer: C
UPSC Prelims 2003
2. As per Indian Protocol, who among the following ranks highest in the order of precedence?Â
Deputy Prime Minister
Former President
Governor of a State within his state
Speaker of Lok Sabha
Answers: C
UPSC Prelims 2004
3. Which one of the following is the correct sequence in the descending order of precedence in the warrant of the procedure?
Attorney General of India—Judges of the Supreme Court –Members of Parliament—Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Judges of the Supreme Court—Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha—Attorney General of India—Members of Parliament
Attorney General of India Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha—Judges of the Supreme Court—Members of Parliament
Judges of the Supreme Court—Attorney General of India—Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha—Members of Parliament
Answer: B
Quick Facts on Order of Precedence for UPSC Preparation
What does in order of precedence mean?
Order of Precedence refers to the hierarchy of the important positions in the Republic of India. It denotes the ranks of the persons as approved by the President of India.
Who holds the highest rank in the order of precedence?
The President of India holds the highest rank in the table of precedence, followed by the Vice-President and the Prime Minister respectively.
Indian Order of Precedence – Conclusion
It is good to know the table of precedence for the Civil Service as the latter is all about administration and governance.  It is considered as the toughest examination in the country conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Before you prepare for the country’s most prominent and difficult examination, it is essential to know about the basic things about the administration.  That is why polity plays an important role in the Civil Services Examination syllabus. Polity is an important topic at all the three stages of the exam. It shapes an essential piece of administration. The order of Precedence is a very basic thing of the polity.
Order of Precedence/Table of Precedence – UPSC Notes:-Download PDF Here