Indian Polity — Cabinet Committees
1. Introduction
- Cabinet committees are extra-constitutional in nature. They are not mentioned in the Constitution.
- However, these are established under the Transaction of Business Rules.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET
- Nature: Extra-constitutional (not mentioned in the Constitution)
- Authority: Established under the Transaction of Business Rules
- Set Up By: Prime Minister
2. Types of Cabinet Committees
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Standing Committees | Permanent in nature. They continue to exist and function regularly. |
| Ad hoc Committees | Established from time to time to deal with special problems. They cease to exist after the task is completed. |
KEY FEATURES
- Cabinet committees are set up by the Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation.
- Their number, nomenclature, and composition vary from time to time.
- There are a total of Eight cabinet committees.
3. List of Cabinet Committees
1. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
2. Cabinet Committee on Security
3. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
4. Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
5. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
6. Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development
7. Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth
8. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation
FUNCTIONS OF KEY CABINET COMMITTEES
| Committee | Key Functions |
|---|---|
| Appointments Committee of the Cabinet | Decides higher-level appointments in the central secretariat, public enterprises, banks, and financial institutions. |
| Cabinet Committee on Security | Deals with defence, national security, and internal security matters. |
| Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs | Directs and coordinates governmental activities in the economic sphere. |
| Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs | Oversees the progress of government business in Parliament. |
| Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs | Addresses policy matters related to foreign and domestic affairs. |
4. Composition of Cabinet Committees
- Cabinet committees are usually composed of 3 to 8 members.
- They include senior ministers and ministers in charge of the relevant portfolios.
- They are mostly headed by the Prime Minister. Sometimes other senior Cabinet ministers also act as their Chairman.
- In case the Prime Minister is a member of a committee, he/she invariably presides over it.
COMPOSITION — KEY POINTS
- Members: 3 to 8 ministers
- Head: Usually the Prime Minister
- Senior Ministers: Included based on portfolio relevance
- PM's Role: Invariably presides if a member
5. Summary: Cabinet Committees at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Nature | Extra-constitutional (not in Constitution) |
| Authority | Established under Transaction of Business Rules |
| Set Up By | Prime Minister |
| Types | Standing (permanent) and Ad hoc (temporary) |
| Total Committees | Eight (8) |
| Size | 3 to 8 members |
| Chairman | Usually the Prime Minister |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Extra-Constitutional: Cabinet committees are not mentioned in the Constitution.
- Transaction of Business Rules: They derive their authority from these rules.
- Set Up By: Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time.
- Types: Standing (permanent) and Ad hoc (temporary).
- Total: Eight Cabinet Committees.
- Key Committees: Appointments Committee, Committee on Security, Committee on Economic Affairs, Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Committee on Political Affairs.
- Composition: 3 to 8 members, usually headed by the PM.
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Cabinet Committees)
Q1. Cabinet committees are mentioned in which part of the Constitution?
Correct Answer: D. Cabinet committees are extra-constitutional in nature and are not mentioned in the Constitution.
Q2. Cabinet committees are established under which rules?
Correct Answer: B. Cabinet committees are established under the Transaction of Business Rules.
Q3. Who sets up the Cabinet Committees?
Correct Answer: B. Cabinet committees are set up by the Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation.
Q4. How many types of Cabinet Committees are there?
Correct Answer: B. There are two types of Cabinet Committees — Standing (permanent) and Ad hoc (temporary).
Q5. How many Cabinet Committees are there in total?
Correct Answer: C. There are a total of eight Cabinet Committees.
Q6. Which committee decides higher-level appointments in public enterprises?
Correct Answer: B. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet decides higher-level appointments in the central secretariat, public enterprises, banks, and financial institutions.
Q7. The Cabinet Committee on Security deals with:
Correct Answer: B. The Cabinet Committee on Security deals with defence, national security, and internal security matters.
Q8. Who usually heads the Cabinet Committees?
Correct Answer: B. Cabinet committees are mostly headed by the Prime Minister. Sometimes other senior Cabinet ministers also act as their Chairman.
Q9. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is responsible for:
Correct Answer: B. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs directs and coordinates governmental activities in the economic sphere.
Q10. Which of the following is NOT a Cabinet Committee?
Correct Answer: C. There is no 'Cabinet Committee on Finance'. The key committees include Security, Economic Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, Political Affairs, Appointments Committee, Employment & Skill Development, Investment and Growth, and Accommodation.