Cabinet Committee on Security: India’s Apex Security Decision-Making Body
- vidyarthee2021
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
In light of recent developments in Pahalgam, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has taken crucial steps to address the emerging national security concerns. The CCS is India’s top decision-making body on strategic and security-related matters, playing a pivotal role in shaping the country's defence and internal security policies.
What is the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)?
The CCS is one of the most significant Cabinet Committees, responsible for decisions that affect the safety, sovereignty, and strategic interests of the nation.
Composition:
Chaired by the Prime Minister
Includes:
Minister of Defence
Minister of Finance
Minister of Home Affairs
Minister of External Affairs
Defence chiefs and senior bureaucrats may be invited depending on the agenda.
Key Functions:
Takes final calls on:
National security and defence policy
Internal security and law & order issues
Foreign policy decisions involving security implications
Appointments to top defence and intelligence positions
Directs response to emergencies and emerging threats
Cabinet Committees: A Quick Overview
Cabinet Committees are extra-constitutional bodies created by the Prime Minister for specific purposes. They help streamline decision-making in specific areas by reducing the burden on the entire Cabinet.
Currently, there are eight Cabinet Committees, including:
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
Cabinet Committee on Security
Others include Committees on Investment and Growth, Employment and Skill Development, etc.
Relevance for UPSC Aspirants
GS Paper 2: Polity and Governance – Cabinet Committees and Institutional Framework
GS Paper 3: Internal Security, National Defence Policy
Prelims: Focus on the composition and functions of various Cabinet Committees
UPSC Prelims MCQ
Consider the following statements regarding the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS):
It is chaired by the Union Home Minister.
The CCS takes decisions on national defence, internal security, and strategic foreign relations.
The composition of the CCS is specified in the Constitution of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (a) 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect – The CCS is chaired by the Prime Minister, not the Home Minister.
Statement 2 is correct – It deals with defence, internal security, and strategic foreign affairs.
Statement 3 is incorrect – Cabinet Committees are not constitutional bodies; they are formed under executive authority.
UPSC Mains Question
Discuss the significance of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in ensuring national security and effective crisis management. How does its functioning reflect executive coordination in India’s governance system? (GS Paper - 2)
Comentarios