Correct Answer:
Option A —
ii, iii, i,iv
The Table of Precedence is a protocol list established by the President's Secretariat that determines the hierarchy of functionaries in the Government of India. It is primarily used for state ceremonies and seating arrangements.
Hierarchy Breakdown
Here is where each of these functionaries sits on the official list:
Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Rank 6): Along with the Chief Justice of India, the Speaker holds the 6th position. This high rank reflects their status as the head of the people’s house in the legislature.
Judges of the Supreme Court (Rank 9): Supreme Court judges are placed at rank 9. Interestingly, they share this rank with the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Chief Election Commissioner.
Chief Election Commissioner (Rank 9A): While the CEC used to be lower, they are currently placed at 9A (directly after the SC Judges). In practical protocol, they are often grouped very closely with the judges.
Attorney General of India (Rank 11): As the chief legal advisor to the government, the Attorney General appears further down the list at rank 11, sharing this position with the Cabinet Secretary and Lieutenant Governors (within their respective UTs).
Detailed Table of the Top Hierarchy
Why this order matters
The order reflects the "Warrant of Precedence." You'll notice that the Speaker (Legislature) and Judges (Judiciary) are ranked higher than the Attorney General (Executive advisor). This reinforces the constitutional importance of the heads of the different branches of government over administrative or advisory roles.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
