UPSC Prelims 2000 Q9: Indian Polity – Constitutional Framework & Development
Consider the following functionaries:
I. Cabinet Secretary
II. Chief Election Commissioner
III. Union Cabinet Ministers
IV. Chief Justice of India
Their correct sequence, in the Order of Precedence is
- (a) III, IV, II, I
- (b) IV, III, I, II
- (c) IV, III, II, I
- (d) III, IV, I, II
Answer: (c) IV, III, II, I
Explanation
Order of precedence: Cabinet Secretary, Chief Election Commissioner, Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Justice of India
| Functionary | Rank in the Table of Precedence |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of India | 6 (with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha) |
| Union Cabinet Ministers | 7 |
| Chief Election Commissioner | 9A (with the Chairman of the UPSC and the CAG) |
| Cabinet Secretary | 11 |
In the Table of Precedence issued by the President's Secretariat, the Chief Justice of India ranks 6th with the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Union Cabinet Ministers come 7th, the Chief Election Commissioner 9A, and the Cabinet Secretary 11th.
So the correct sequence is IV, III, II, I.
Answer: (c) IV, III, II, I.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Chief Justice ranks above Cabinet Ministers, not below.
- (b) Incorrect. The Chief Election Commissioner ranks above the Cabinet Secretary.
- (c) CORRECT. CJI (6), Cabinet Ministers (7), CEC (9A), Cabinet Secretary (11).
- (d) Incorrect. It puts Cabinet Ministers above the CJI and the Cabinet Secretary above the CEC.
Key point
Top of the table: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Governors in their States, former Presidents.
Remember
CJI > Cabinet Minister > CEC > Cabinet Secretary.
Common mistakes
- Placing Cabinet Ministers above the Chief Justice.
- Ranking the Cabinet Secretary, the top civil servant, above constitutional heads like the CEC.
- Thinking the table follows the Warrant of Precedence of pay scales.
Exam tip
Judiciary head (6) → ministers (7) → constitutional bodies (9A) → top bureaucrat (11).
Sources
- Ministry of Home Affairs — Table of Precedence (President's Secretariat, as amended)
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, appendix 'Table of Precedence'