Order of Precedence in India – Exam-Oriented Notes (Updated & Authentic)
Reference:Presidential Notification No. 33-Pres/79
(Source: Ministry of Home Affairs – Table of Precedence)
What is Order of Precedence?
The Order of Precedence is an official hierarchy notified by the President of India, indicating the rank and ceremonial precedence of constitutional, political, judicial, and administrative dignitaries in India.
⚠️ It does not indicate executive power, only protocol and ceremonial rank.
Top Constitutional Positions
- President of India
- Vice-President of India
- Prime Minister of India
High Constitutional Offices
- Governors of States (within their respective States)
- Former Presidents of India
5A. Deputy Prime Minister - Chief Justice of India
• Speaker of Lok Sabha
Union Executive & Legislature (Senior Level)
- Cabinet Ministers of the Union
• Chief Ministers of States (within their States)
• Former Prime Ministers
• Leaders of Opposition (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha)
7A. Recipients of Bharat Ratna
Diplomatic & Inter-State Rank
- Ambassadors / High Commissioners accredited to India
• Chief Ministers of States (outside their States)
• Governors of States (outside their States)
Judiciary & Constitutional Authorities
- Judges of Supreme Court
9A. Chairperson, UPSC
• Chief Election Commissioner
• Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG)
Parliamentary & Administrative Leadership
- Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha
• Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha
• Ministers of State (Union)
• Deputy Chief Ministers of States - Attorney General of India
• Cabinet Secretary
• Lieutenant Governors (within UTs)
Defence & Higher Commissions
- Chiefs of Armed Forces (Full General or equivalent)
- Envoys Extraordinary & Ministers Plenipotentiary
State Legislature & Judiciary
- Speakers of State Legislatures (within State)
• Chief Justices of High Courts (within jurisdiction) - State Cabinet Ministers (within State)
• Chief Ministers of Union Territories
Middle-Level Constitutional Functionaries
- Officiating Chiefs of Armed Forces
- Chairpersons of Constitutional & Statutory Commissions
(CAT, NCST, NCSC, Minority Commission)
Lower Protocol Levels
- State Cabinet Ministers (outside State)
- Deputy Ministers (State level)
- Ministers of State (outside State)
- Members of Parliament