Cabinet committees

Cabinet committees

Context: After the Union Cabinet is sworn in and ministerial portfolios are assigned, the high-profile Cabinet committees are formed by the Prime Minister.

Cabinet Committees

• The cabinet committees consist of selected cabinet members who address specific functions.
• Each committee has 3-8 members and may occasionally include non-cabinet ministers or special invitees.
• The Prime Minister can adjust the number of committees and their assigned functions.
• Committees propose solutions, formulate proposals for cabinet consideration, and make decisions within their assigned areas. The cabinet can review these decisions.

Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)

• The PM heads it and comprises Finance, Defense, Home Affairs, and External Affairs ministries.
• The scope of responsibility is National security discussions and appointments, Defence expenditure decisions, Law & order, and internal security, Foreign affairs related to security, Atomic energy matters.
• The term “cabinet” is explicitly mentioned only in Article 352(3) (Proclamation of Emergency) of the Indian Constitution. It was added by the 44th Constitution (Amendment) Act of 1978.