CABINET COMMITTEE ON SECURITY - POLITY

News: What are Cabinet committees, and why is the CCS the most important of them all?

 

What's in the news?

       While the allocation of portfolios is likely to be known soon, it is expected that the BJP — with 240 seats in Lok Sabha — will not cede the four big portfolios of Home, Defence, Finance, and External Affairs to its alliance partners, so it is able to retain its hold on the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

 

Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS):

       The committee is responsible for debates, discussions and appointments of/in the national security bodies.

       Major decisions with respect to the significant appointments, issues of national security, defence expenditure of India are taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

       It is headed by the Prime Minister.

 

Members:

       Prime Minister

       Minister of Defence

       Minister of Home Affairs

       Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs

       Minister of External Affairs

 

Functions:

1. National Security:

       Formulating and coordinating policies concerning national security and defense. This includes both internal and external security matters.

 

2. Defense Policy:

       Overseeing and directing defense policy, including decisions related to defense procurement, the development of indigenous defense capabilities, and the overall strategic posture of the country.

 

3. Strategic Planning:

       Making critical decisions on matters involving India’s strategic interests, including nuclear weapons and missile programs.

 

4. Counter-Terrorism:

       Formulating and implementing policies to counter-terrorism and ensuring the coordination of intelligence agencies and security forces in this regard.