(1) The order of precedence in the Indian Naval Forces shall be, Indian Navy, Indian Naval Reserve and Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve. Except as provided hereinafter as regards “Qualified Officer” of the rank of Lieutenant or Lieutenant-Commander, all officers shall take precedence in the order given above, rank for rank, irrespective of seniority.
(2) Qualified officers of the Indian Naval Reserve and Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve shall take precedence with but after officers of the Indian Navy of the same rank and seniority and before officers (other than qualified officers) of the Reserves of the same rank, irrespective of seniority. Among themselves, qualified officers shall take precedence according to their respective seniority.
(3) Officers holding equivalent acting higher rank shall among themselves according to the date of their substantive seniority.