CABINET COMMITTEES
Polity
Constitutional Basis
Cabinet Committees are small groups of ministers created to reduce the heavy workload of the Cabinet. They are extra-constitutional in nature. Their legal basis comes from the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961, framed under Article 77(3) of the Constitution.
Types of Cabinet Committees
1. Standing Committees – Permanent in nature.
2. Ad-hoc Committees – Temporary, created for specific tasks.
Key Features
• Prime Minister forms these committees and decides their functions.
• Number, names and composition of committees change over time.
• Usually 3–8 members, mostly Cabinet Ministers.
• Non-cabinet ministers may also be included.
• Mostly chaired by the Prime Minister; sometimes by Home or Finance Minister.
• If the PM is a member, he always presides.
• They prepare proposals for the Cabinet and also take decisions.
• Cabinet may review their decisions.
Significance
• Reduce Cabinet workload.
• Allow detailed examination of policy issues.
• Improve inter-ministerial coordination.
• Promote division of labour and efficiency.
• Enable faster decision-making.
Present Cabinet Committees
• Cabinet Committee on Appointments
• Cabinet Committee on Accommodation
• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
• Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
• Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
• Cabinet Committee on Security
• Cabinet Committee on Investment
• Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development
CABINET COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS
Head: Prime Minister
Functions:
• Appoints Service Chiefs, DGMO, and heads of Army/Air Commands.
• Handles empanelment and transfers of officers on central deputation.
• Makes appointments of DG Defence Intelligence, DG Ordnance Factories, DG Defence Estates, DG Armed Forces Medical Services.
• Appoints RBI Governor, Railway Board Chairman, Solicitor General, CVOs in PSUs.
• Appoints Joint Secretary and above-level officers.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON ACCOMMODATION
Functions:
• Frames rules for allotment of government accommodation.
• Decides allotment to non-eligible persons/organisations and rents.
• Can allot accommodation from General Pool to MPs.
• Can approve shifting of central offices outside the capital.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Head: Prime Minister
Functions:
• Reviews economic trends and prepares integrated economic policy.
• Fixes agricultural and essential commodity prices.
• Clears investment proposals above ₹1000 crore.
• Handles industrial licensing issues.
• Reviews rural development and PDS.
• Considers disinvestment proposals.
• Deals with matters related to WTO.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
Head: Union Home Minister
Functions:
• Decides Parliament session schedules.
• Monitors government business in Parliament.
• Screens non-government business.
• Decides which Bills and resolutions will be presented.
• Reviews State Bills from national perspective.
• Recommends summoning or proroguing Parliament.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS
Head: Prime Minister
Note: Known as the “Super Cabinet”.
Functions:
• Handles major domestic and foreign policy issues.
• Deals with foreign affairs not involving security concerns.
• Examines Centre–State relations.
• Considers major political and economic issues needing broader perspective.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON SECURITY
Head: Prime Minister
Members: Ministers of Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs
Functions:
• Handles internal security and law & order.
• Deals with foreign affairs involving security issues.
• Examines matters related to atomic energy.
• Approves defence expenditure above ₹1000 crore.
• Oversees Defence Production, DRDO and procurement plans.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON INVESTMENT AND GROWTH
Head: Prime Minister
Functions:
• Identifies key investment projects (₹1000 crore+).
• Sets timelines for approvals from concerned ministries.
• Monitors progress to ensure timely implementation.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT & SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Head: Prime Minister
Functions:
• Provides direction for national skill development policies and schemes.
• Aims to increase employability and workforce participation.
• Identifies sector-wise skill gaps.
• Sets implementation targets and reviews progress.
Advantages
• Saves time for Cabinet Ministers.
• Ensures specialised and focused discussion.
• Improves inter-departmental coordination.
• Prevents arbitrary individual decisions.
• Strengthens collective responsibility.
• Utilises expertise effectively.
Criticism
• Sometimes created for minor issues.
• Junior ministers rarely included.
• Meetings not held regularly.
• Membership often influenced by political considerations.
GROUP OF MINISTERS (GoM)
• Formed for issues requiring coordination across ministries.
• Some GoMs can take decisions; others only recommend.
• Useful in resolving complex cross-ministerial issues.
• Ad-hoc in nature and created for urgent matters.
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Subject: Polity
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