Order Of Precedence And Protocols - Explained

Order Of Precedence And Protocols – Explained

Table of Contents

Every country has an “Order of Precedence,” which is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance. Many organizations and governments utilize it in the context of people, especially for extremely formal and official occasions. It can also be applied to awards, medals, and decorations.

The grade of a person in a chain of command does not always indicate functional importance, but rather ceremonial or historical significance; for example, it may determine where dignitaries are seated.

Precedence

According to the Chambers Encyclopedia Precedence is the order of priority accorded to the more eminent members of classes of community on state or public occasions and on formal social services.

Precedence can therefore be seen as an aspect of protocol that takes care of issues which border on stratified placements of individuals in an occasion of state or public functions. Precedence demands the right of a person to occupy the place of honour at a ceremony or on official meetings.

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Protocol

According to Encyclopedia Americana, Protocol means “the indication of the arrangement and etiquette of diplomatic conduct and ceremonia ”(Encyclopedia Americana,1988:694). The dictionary of international law defines protocol “as a code of behaviour and tradition observed by government institutions, diplomatic missions, diplomatic agents and other officials in the sphere of international relations.

Order Of Precedence

An order of precedence is a sequential grading of nominal importance and can be applied to individuals, groups, or organizations. Most often it is used in the circumstances of people by many organizations and governments, for very formal and state occasions, especially where legates are present.

Generally orders of precedence for different countries for state purposes are made under the assumption that such occasions are held in the capital. Within an institution, the officials of that institution are probably to rank much higher in the order than in a general order of precedence— for example ,the chancellor or president of a university may well precede anyone except a head of state. The same might be true for a mayor in their own city.

The Order of Precedence in India is a protocol list in which the Government of India’s functionaries and authorities are listed by grade and office. If there are more than one person of similar rank, then they will be listed in alphabetical order. The order of precedence between themselves is determined by the date of entry into that position/rank’s. It is designed for State and Ceremonial occasions. It has no application in the government’s day-to-day operations.

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Order Of Precedence And Protocols Of India

Government of Kerala

Order of Precedence

Article of the warrant	Name of the Post
1	President
2	Vice President
3	Prime Minister
4	Governor
5	Former Presidents of India
6	Chief Justice of India Speaker of the Lok Sabha
7	Cabinet Ministers of the Union Chief Minister
7A	Holders of Bharat Ratna Decoration
8	Chief Ministers of States outside their respective States Governors of States outside their respective States
9	Judges of Supreme Court
10	Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chief Minister Ministers of State of the Union
14	Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Chief Justice of the High Court Kerala Lok Ayukta
15	Cabinet Ministers of the State Government Chief Government Whip Deputy Ministers of the Union Government Leader of the Opposition Vice Chairman, State Planning Board
17	Chairman, Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes Chairperson, Kerala State Human Rights Commission Kerala Upa lok Ayukta President, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Puisne judges of the High Court
18	Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly Mayor
21A	Members of Parliament
21B	Members of the Legislative Assembly
23	Army Commanders/Vice Chief of Army Staff or equivalent in other Services Chief Secretary to Government Flag officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command Members of Kerala State Human Rights Commission Members of the Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes Officers in the rank of Chief Secretary Officers of the rank of Lt. General or equivalent rank Chairman, Kerala Public Service Commission
25	Advocate General Members of Kerala Public Service Commission Chief Information Commissioner Commissioners and Secretaries to Government Director General of Police Lt. Governors of Union Territories visiting the State Officers of the Rank of the Director General of Police Presidents of District Panchayats within their jurisdiction Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Members of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Kochi Vice Chancellors
26	Accountant General Chief Conservators of Forests Collector of Customs and Central Excise Commissioner of Income Tax Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre General Manager, Telecommunications Inspector General of Police and officers of the rank of Inspector General of Police Major Generals or officers of equivalent rank Post Master General Secretaries to Government and Members of Indian Administrative Service on super time scale Secretary, Legislative Assembly Secretary to Governor
27	Chairman of Statutory Corporations District and Sessions Judges within their jurisdiction District Collectors within their jurisdiction Special Secretaries to Government
28	Additional Secretaries to Government Brigadier in Command of Brigade and Officers of equivalent rank DIG of Police Conservators of Forests District and Sessions Judges outside their jurisdiction District Collectors outside their jurisdiction Judicial Officers of the rank of District Judges Major Heads of Departments Managing Directors of Statutory Corporations
29	Chief Judicial Magistrates and Sub Judges within their jurisdiction Heads of Medium Departments Joint Secretaries to Government Superintendents of Police within their jurisdiction
30	Chief Judicial Magistrates and Sub Judges outside their jurisdiction Deputy Secretaries to Government Heads of Minor Departments Officers in the senior scale of All India Services

Note 1	The order in this Table of Precedence is meant for State and ceremonial occasions and has no application in the day-to-day business of Government.
Note 2	Persons in the order of precedence will take rank in the order of the number of articles. The entries in the same article are arranged alphabetically. Persons included in the same article will take precedence inter se according to the date of entry into that Article.
Note 3	In Article 7, the Chief Minister concerned will take precedence over Cabinet Ministers of the Union in official functions held in the State.
Note 4	In Article 8, Governors of States outside their respective States will enblock rank above Chief Ministers of State outside their respective States.
Note 5	In article 26, Secretary to Governor and Secretary to Legislative Assembly have been placed in position indicated based on the rank equivalent to a Secretary to Government. If officers of any other rank occupy the position, their rank in the warrant will also automatically change.