Government of India- Table of Precedence

The Table of Precedence (sometimes also called the “Order of Precedence”) in India is a ceremonial ranking of key functionaries, dignitaries, and officials for protocol and state functions. It is issued by the President’s Secretariat and maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The list has no legal status in terms of powers or authority, and does not imply succession rights; rather, it serves purely for ceremonial order during state functions.

Below is a representative version of the Table of Precedence (as issued in July 1979, with later amendments).

Key Ranks in the Table of Precedence (Selected)

1. President of India
2. Vice-President of India
3. Prime Minister of India
4. Governors of States within their respective States
5. Former Presidents of India
   Deputy Prime Minister (when the office is occupied)
6. Chief Justice of India
   Speaker of the Lok Sabha
7. Union Cabinet Ministers
   Chief Ministers of States (within their own States)
   Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
   Former Prime Ministers
   Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
   Holders of the Bharat Ratna
8. Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary / High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries accredited to India
   Chief Ministers outside their States
   Governors outside their States
9. Judges of the Supreme Court of India
   Chairperson, UPSC
   Chief Election Commissioner
   Comptroller & Auditor General of India
10. Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha
    Deputy Chief Ministers of States
    Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha
    Members of Planning Commission
    Ministers of State of the Union (and any other Minister in the Defence Ministry for defence matters)
11. Attorney General of India
    Cabinet Secretary (Central)
    Lieutenant Governors within their Union Territories
12. Chiefs of Staff holding the rank of full General (or equivalent rank in other services)
13. Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary accredited to India
14. Chairmen and Speakers of State Legislatures (within their States)
    Chief Justices of High Courts within their jurisdiction
15. State Cabinet Ministers (within their States)
    Chief Ministers of Union Territories / Chief Executive Councillor, Delhi (within UT boundary)
    Deputy Ministers of the Union
16. Officiating Chiefs of Staff at Lieutenant General (or equivalent)
17. Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal
    Chairman, Minority Commission
    Chairperson, National Commission for SC & ST
    Chief Justices of High Courts outside their jurisdiction
    Puisne Judges of High Courts (within jurisdiction)
18. State-level Ministers outside their States
    Speakers / Chairmen of State Legislatures outside their States
    Chairman, MRTP Commission
    Deputy Speakers / Deputy Chairpersons of State Legislatures
    Ministers of State in States
    Ministers and Executive Councillors in Union Territories (including Delhi)
    Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories
    Chairman Delhi Metropolitan Council (within its territory)
19. Chief Commissioners of UTs (without Ministers) (within their UT)
    Deputy Ministers in States (within their States)
    Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in UTs
    Deputy Chairman of Metropolitan Council, Delhi
20. Deputy Chairman & Deputy Speakers of State Legislatures (outside their States)
    Ministers of State in States outside their States
    Puisne Judges of High Courts outside their jurisdictions
21. Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha)
22. Deputy Ministers in States (outside their States)
23. Army Commanders / Vice Chief of Army Staff (or equivalent in other services)
    Chief Secretaries to State Governments (within their States)
    Commissioners for Linguistic Minorities
    Commissioners for SC / ST
    Members, Minority Commission / SC / ST Commissions
    Officers of rank full General (or equivalent)
    Secretaries to the Government of India
    Secretary, SC / ST Commission / Minority Commission
    Secretary to the President / Vice President / Prime Minister
    Secretaries, Rajya Sabha / Lok Sabha
    Solicitor General of India
    Vice-Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal
24. Officers of rank Lieutenant General (or equivalent)
25. Additional Secretaries to Government of India
    Additional Solicitor General
    Advocate Generals of States
    Chairman, Tariff Commission
    Chargé d’Affaires / Acting High Commissioners a.p. / a.i.
    Chief Ministers of Union Territories / Executive Councillors (outside their UTs)
    Chief Secretaries of State Governments (outside their States)
    Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General
    Deputy Speakers in Legislative Assemblies of UTs (outside their UTs)
    Deputy Chairman, Delhi Metropolitan Council (outside its UT)
    Director, CBI
    Directors General, BSF / CRPF / IB
    Lieutenant Governors (outside their UTs)
    Members, Central Administrative Tribunal
    Members, MRTP Commission / Monopolies & Restrictive Trade Practices
    Members, Union Public Service Commission
    Ministers of UTs / Executive Councillors (outside their UTs)
    Principal Staff Officers of Armed Forces (Major General / equivalent)
    Speakers of UT Assemblies / Chairman, Delhi Metropolitan Council (outside UTs)
26. Joint Secretaries to Government of India and officers of equivalent rank

Notable Features, Rules & Caveats

• Ceremonial Use Only: The Table is used for protocol at state and official functions (e.g. seating, order of introduction, processions) and does not affect* substantive authority or jurisdiction.
• Inter-se Ranking (Within Same Rank/Article): When multiple persons belong to the same precedence article, their relative order is determined by alphabetical order of surname (or title) or by date of assumption of office, depending on context.
• State-Level Adjustments: Within a state, the Governor and Chief Minister often have higher precedence relative to central officials when events are held in that state.
• Foreign Dignitaries: The Ministry of External Affairs may assign equivalent or adjusted ranks for foreign dignitaries, visiting heads of state, envoys, etc., for protocol purposes.
• Amendments Over Time: Though the main warrant dates from 1979, amendments (e.g. inclusion of offices like NITI Aayog) have been made.