What are the eligibility requirements and constitutional prerequisites for a Master Mason to be exalted into a Royal Arch Chapter under the Supreme Grand Chapter of India, and what interval must elapse after receiving his Master Mason degree?

Attaining the rank of Master Mason is the fundamental prerequisite for any candidate seeking exaltation into a Royal Arch Chapter 3. Historically, the Order required candidates to have passed through the three probationary degrees of Craft Masonry and, under early English regulations, to have served as an installed Master of a Craft Lodge or met specific age and standing requirements 12. Wilmshurst observes that attaining the Master Mason degree is essential symbolically and spiritually, as one cannot experience that which lies beyond without first passing through the mystical death of the Third Degree 3.

Regarding the interval between degrees, an article on the Grand Lodge of India's website records that a Master Mason may join a Royal Arch Chapter four weeks after being raised into the Third Degree. This four-week interval reflects standard practice derived from the historic English system, where the former requirement of serving in the Master's chair was eventually replaced by a four-week qualification following the Craft degree 2.

While historical regulations detailed strict balloting, personal recommendations by Companions of the Chapter, and character qualifications 1, the core constitutional prerequisite remains that the petitioner must be a Master Mason in good standing and observe the mandated four-week period after receiving his Third Degree before being exalted into the Chapter.

Proposals for exaltation into a Royal Arch Chapter require a candidate to be duly proposed and recommended by two or more Companions of the Chapter 1. Under foundational Royal Arch regulations, this recommendation is submitted at least one Chapter convocation prior to the taking of the ballot, allowing time for notice to be given, except on particular approved occasions 1.

When the Chapter convenes, the minutes of the previous meeting are first read and confirmed before any balloting takes place 1. The ballot for the candidate's admission is then taken 1. Approval requires a favourable ballot; under early regulations governing the Order, a candidate could not be admitted if more than one negative vote was cast against the petition 1.

Once a candidate has been successfully balloted for and elected, the exaltation may proceed, either during the same convocation or at a subsequent meeting if the candidate is unable to attend immediately 14. Historical records of Royal Arch Masonry in India document candidates being proposed, balloted for, elected, and subsequently exalted across regular Chapter meetings 4.

While these historical rules and records detail the general procedures of proposition, notice, balloting, and election, specific modern codified statutes of the Supreme Grand Chapter of India are not separately detailed in the available texts.

Governance of the Supreme Grand Chapter of India is structurally intertwined with the executive leadership of the Grand Lodge of India at both national and regional levels.

At the national level, the Grand Lodge of India's website notes that the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India is automatically the First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter of India. The Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India automatically serves as the Second Grand Principal. Executive administration is likewise shared, as the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of India serves as the Secretary of the Royal Arch, where he is titled Grand Scribe E.

At the regional level, this parallel governance structure is maintained within the Masonic Regions. The Grand Lodge of India's website records that the Regional Grand Master commands the Royal Arch in his area as its Regional Grand First Principal, bearing the formal title of Most Excellent Grand Superintendent. Regional administration is conducted by the Regional Grand Scribe E, who is also the Craft Regional Grand Secretary.