Source: IE
Context: In response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) announced a series of extraordinary retaliatory measures against Pakistan.
About Cabinet Committees:
What are Cabinet Committees?
- Cabinet Committees are small groups of ministers formed to reduce the Cabinet’s workload and enable focused decision-making.
- Types:
- Standing Committees – Permanent in nature.
- Ad-hoc Committees – Temporary, formed for specific purposes.
- Formation: Constituted by the Prime Minister based on emerging needs.
- Function: Examine complex issues in detail and recommend or take decisions which may be reviewed by the Cabinet.
About Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS):
- Established: Operational since post-Independence, formalized through executive orders.
- Chaired by: Prime Minister of India.
- Members: Home Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and External Affairs Minister.
- Permanent Invitees: National Security Advisor, Cabinet Secretary, and key Secretaries of Defence, Home, and External Affairs.
- Primary Role:
- Formulate national security and defence policy.
- Decide on strategic military operations and crisis response.
- Supervise internal security matters including law & order.
- Authorize major defence procurement and nuclear policy.
- Coordinate intelligence and foreign security issues.
