In the state governments, a principal secretary ranks above a secretary but it is below the designations of additional chief secretary and chief secretary. Principal Secretaries act as administrative heads of the department they are assigned to.
In Jammu and Kashmir High Court, there is a Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice, he is of a senior district and sessions judge rank. He attends matters pertaining to the employees of subordinate judiciary such as appointments, 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.[citation needed]