Principal Secretary (India)

Principal Secretary is a post and a rank in State governments of India. The position holder is a civil servant and a government official of high seniority. Principal Secretaries are the administrative heads of all the departments in a state government.

In north eastern states and also few other states like Karnataka, Bihar usually an officer equivalent to Joint Secretary to Government of India is appointed as and holds the post of Principal Secretary in State Government.

In the state governments, a Principal Secretary ranks above a Divisional Commissioner/Secretary but below the rank of Chief Secretary.

The post of Principal Secretary to Prime Minister was created during the tenure of Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister. The Principal Secretary to PM is the head of the Prime Minister's Office.

In Jammu and Kashmir High Court there is a unique creation of Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice, he is of a senior District and Sessions judge rank. He attends matters pertaining to employees of Subordinate Judiciary such as transfers, promotions, and leave. He is also ex officio Secretary of Public Interest Litigation Cell. He also attends all other matters assigned by the Chief Justice. He is overall in charge of chief justice's secretariat.

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