joint secretaries in the union government is analogous to major general and equivalent ranks in indian armed forces and are listed as such in the order of precedence. the special protection group is sometimes headed by inspector general rank, who is designated as joint secretary (security) in the cabinet secretariat. in the cabinet secretariat, the erstwhile military wing was headed by an officer from one of the three armed forces of the rank of major general and equivalent was given designated as joint secretary (military). a principal secretary in a state government can be deputed/posted as joint secretary in the center and a person in this rank can also hold the position of the chief secretary/administrator of a union territory.