Cabinet Committees – UPSC Notes – Indian Polity

Characteristics of Cabinet Committees

1. Emergence: Cabinet Committees arise outside the constitutional framework and are established through the Rules of Business.
2. Types: They are classified as standing or ad hoc, with standing committees being permanent and ad hoc committees formed temporarily to address specific issues.
3. Establishment: Prime Minister forms them based on current needs and circumstances, leading to variations in number, names, and composition.
4. Membership: Typically comprises Cabinet Ministers, ranging from three to eight members, though non-cabinet Ministers may also participate.
5. Inclusivity: Besides relevant Ministers, senior officials may also be included in their composition.
6. Leadership: Primarily chaired by the Prime Minister, though other Cabinet Ministers, such as the Home Minister or Finance Minister, may occasionally lead. However, if the Prime Minister is a member, they invariably preside.
7. Functions: Apart from proposing solutions and policies to the Cabinet, they hold decision-making authority, subject to Cabinet review.
8. Purpose: Designed to alleviate the Cabinet’s workload, enabling thorough policy examination and efficient coordination by applying principles of division of labor and delegation.

Cabinet Committees through the years

1994:

1. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
2. Cabinet Committee on Natural Calamities
3. Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
4. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
5. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation
6. Cabinet Committee on Foreign Investment
7. Cabinet Committee on Drug Abuse Control
8. Cabinet Committee on Prices
9. Cabinet Committee on Minority Welfare
10. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
11. Cabinet Committee on Trade and Investment
12. Cabinet Committee on Expenditure
13. Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure

2013:

1. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
2. Cabinet Committee on Prices
3. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
4. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
5. Cabinet Committee on Security
6. Cabinet Committee on World Trade Organisation (WTO) Matters
7. Cabinet Committee on Investment
8. Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) related issues
9. Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
10. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation

2016:

1. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
2. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
3. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
4. Cabinet Committee on Security
5. Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
6. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation

In June 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the discontinuation of four Standing Committees of the Cabinet. Functions of the Cabinet Committee on Management of Natural Calamities will now be handled by a committee under the Cabinet Secretary whenever natural disasters occur. The Cabinet Committee on Prices‘ functions will be absorbed by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. Matters pertaining to the Cabinet Committee on World Trade Organization will also be managed by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs or the full Cabinet when necessary. Remaining issues related to the Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India will be brought to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, as significant decisions in this area have already been made.

Roles of Cabinet Committees

Among the various cabinet committees, four hold significant importance:

1. The Political Affairs Committee addresses policy matters concerning both domestic and foreign affairs.
2. The Economic Affairs Committee oversees and harmonizes governmental activities within the economic realm.
3. The Appointments Committee is responsible for making decisions on higher-level appointments across the Central Secretariat, Public Enterprises, Banks, and Financial Institutions.
4. The Parliamentary Affairs Committee monitors the progress of government initiatives within the Parliament.

The first three committees are chaired by the Prime Minister, while the Home Minister leads the Parliamentary Affairs Committee. Among these committees, the Political Affairs Committee holds the most influence, often referred to as a “Super-Cabinet.”

FAQs about Cabinet Committees

1. What are Cabinet Committees, and how are they established?
   • Cabinet Committees are bodies formed outside the constitutional framework, established through the Rules of Business. They can be either standing (permanent) or ad hoc (temporary), created by the Prime Minister based on current needs and circumstances.
2. Who typically comprises the membership of Cabinet Committees?
   • Cabinet Committees usually consist of Cabinet Ministers, ranging from three to eight members. However, non-cabinet Ministers and senior officials may also participate, depending on the committee’s focus and requirements.
3. What is the role of Cabinet Committees in decision-making?
   • Cabinet Committees not only propose solutions and policies to the Cabinet but also hold decision-making authority, subject to Cabinet review. They are designed to alleviate the Cabinet’s workload and enable thorough policy examination and efficient coordination.
4. How have Cabinet Committees evolved over the years?
   • Cabinet Committees have undergone changes in their composition and functions over time. For instance, in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the discontinuation of some standing committees, redistributing their functions among other existing committees.
5. What are the key roles of significant Cabinet Committees?
   • Among the various Cabinet Committees, four hold significant importance: the Political Affairs Committee, Economic Affairs Committee, Appointments Committee, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. These committees address policy matters concerning domestic and foreign affairs, oversee economic activities, make higher-level appointments, and monitor government initiatives within the Parliament, respectively.

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