Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)

28.04.2025

Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)

Why in the news?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Noting the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam recently, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) announced a series of extraordinary retaliatory measures against Pakistan.

About Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS):

• The CCS, headed by the Prime Minister, is responsible for important discussions and decisions on defence policy, expenditure, and matters related to national security.
• It is also the apex body when it comes to the appointments of the officials in the national security bodies.

History of the Cabinet Committee on Security:

• A committee comparable to the current CCS structure was first formed in independent India in 1947 by then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Formed against the background of a newly independent nation facing national security challenges, the committee was constituted with the primary aim of assessing and addressing the political, economic, and military situations in India's border areas.
• The first emergency meeting of this committee was reportedly called during the Indo-Pak War of 1947–48.
• It was reportedly chaired by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, with Home Minister Sardar Patel and Defence Minister Baldev Singh as its members.
• It was after the 1999 Kargil War that the committee evolved to adopt the present formal structure of the CCS and became a high-powered committee for defence and national security.
• Over time, the CCS has evolved into the apex decision-making body concerning internal and external security matters of the Government of India.

Composition of the CCS:

• With the Prime Minister as its chairperson, the committee typically comprises the Home Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and External Affairs Minister as members.
• The National Security Advisor (NSA) acts as secretary-level coordinator on matters within its purview.
• While the defence minister is a permanent invitee to the panel, other members may be included as per requirements.
• The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for maintaining records of all the meetings and proceedings of the CCS.
• The CCS concerns itself with all matters related to defence, foreign affairs, intelligence, nuclear issues, space policy, and major appointments related to national security.

                                                              Source: Indian Express

With reference to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), consider the following statements:

1. It is headed by the Prime Minister.

2. The National Security Advisor (NSA) acts as secretary-level coordinator on matters within its purview.

3. The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for maintaining records of all the meetings and proceedings of the CCS.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C.All three

D.None

Answer C