Write a short note on the Functions of the Cabinet Secretariat

Cabinet Secretariat Functions

The Cabinet

Secretariat functions directly under the Prime Minister.
The administrative head of the Secretariat is the Cabinet Secretary who is also the ex officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
The business allocated to the Cabinet Secretariat under Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 includes

(i) Secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees;

(ii) Rules of Business.

The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Government of India (Transaction of Business).

The Secretariat assists in decision-making to the Government by

Ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination, ironing out differences amongst Ministries/Departments and evolving consensus through the instrumentality of the standing/ad hoc Committees of Secretaries.
Management of major crisis situations in the country and coordinating activities of various ministries.

The organisation of Cabinet Secretariat

The Cabinet Secretariat has three wings

Civil wing
Military wing
Intelligence wing
Civil wing – It is the main wing and provides aid, advice and assistance to the Union cabinet.
Military wing – provides secretarial assistance to the defence committee of the cabinet, the military affairs committee etc.
The intelligence wing – it deals with the matters pertaining to the joint intelligence committee of the cabinet. Other organizations are – RAW, Director General of Security, SPG, Joint intelligence group, DG public grievances (1988), National Authority, Chemical Weapons Convention.

Support to Cabinet Committees

The secretarial assistance, provided by Cabinet Secretariat to the Cabinet and Cabinet committees, includes
Convening of the meetings of the Cabinet and its Committees on the orders of the Prime Minister.
Preparation and circulation of the agenda.
Circulation of papers related to the cases on the agenda.
Preparation of record of discussions.
Circulation of the record of discussions after obtaining the approval of the Prime Minister.
Monitoring implementation of decisions taken by the Cabinet and its Committees.

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