Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)

Latest News

• Retaliatory Measures: Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam with cross-border linkages, the CCS announced extraordinary retaliatory actions against Pakistan, underscoring its role in shaping India’s national security response.

About the CCS

• Role:

  • Apex decision-making body for defense policy, national security, and major security-related appointments.

  • Addresses matters related to defense, foreign affairs, intelligence, nuclear policy, space strategy, and internal security.

• Authority: Directly accountable to the Prime Minister (PM) and the Union Cabinet.

Historical Evolution

1. 1947: Predecessor committee formed by PM Jawaharlal Nehru to address post-independence security challenges.

   • First emergency meeting during the 1947–48 Indo-Pak War.

2. 1999 Kargil War: Formalized into the current CCS structure to streamline defense and security decision-making.

3. Present: Evolved into India’s highest authority on internal and external security matters.

Composition

• Chairperson: Prime Minister.

Core Members:

• 1. Home Minister.

  2. Defence Minister.

  3. Finance Minister.

  4. External Affairs Minister.

• Key Roles:

  • National Security Advisor (NSA): Acts as secretary-level coordinator.

  • Cabinet Secretariat: Maintains records of meetings and decisions.

• Ad Hoc Participation: Other ministers/invitees included as needed.

Functions & Responsibilities

1. Defense & Security:

   • Approve major defense procurements (e.g., Rafale deal).

   • Oversee nuclear policy and counterterrorism strategies.

2. Appointments:

   • Heads of armed forces, intelligence agencies (RAW, IB), and senior bureaucrats in security roles.

3. Crisis Management:

   • Coordinate responses to wars, terror attacks, and border disputes (e.g., Balakot airstrikes, 2016 Uri attack response).

4. Policy Formulation:

   • Draft national security doctrines, space and cybersecurity policies.

Cabinet Committees: Broader Framework

• Constitutional Status: Extra-constitutional (not mentioned in the Constitution).

• Purpose: Reduce workload on the Union Cabinet by delegating specialized tasks.

• Total Committees: 8, including:

  • CCS (headed by PM).

  • Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

  • Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

• Formation: Constituted/reconstituted by the PM post-elections or Cabinet reshuffles.

Key Takeaways

• Apex Security Body: The CCS is India’s most powerful committee for defense and strategic decisions.

• Crisis Response: Plays a pivotal role during conflicts (e.g., Kargil War, Balakot strikes).

• Strategic Appointments: Oversees critical leadership roles in security agencies.

• Evolution: Transformed from an ad-hoc 1947 committee to a structured, high-powered entity post-1999.

FAQs

1. Who heads the CCS?

   • Ans: Prime Minister.

2. Who coordinates CCS matters?

   • Ans: National Security Advisor (NSA).

3. Which body maintains CCS records?

   • Ans: Cabinet Secretariat.