UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies
Question 9: Polity and Governance
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
AnswerThe answer is (c).
In the order of precedence the Chief Justice of India comes first among these, then Union Cabinet Ministers, then the Chief Election Commissioner, then the Cabinet Secretary. The Chief Justice ranks with the Speaker, just below the Prime Minister, Governors and former Presidents. Cabinet Ministers follow, the constitutional office of the Chief Election Commissioner comes next, and the Cabinet Secretary, though the top civil servant, ranks lower still.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Puts the Cabinet Ministers above the Chief Justice, which reverses their order.
- (b) Puts the Cabinet Secretary above the Chief Election Commissioner, which is the wrong way round.
- (c) Right: Chief Justice, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Election Commissioner, Cabinet Secretary.
- (d) Starts with the Cabinet Ministers and also puts the Cabinet Secretary above the Chief Election Commissioner; both are wrong.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.