The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is a key decision-making body in India on matters related to national security, defence and foreign affairs.
Composition of the CCS
- Chaired by the Prime Minister of India
- Includes Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of External Affairs
- National Security Advisor serves as the secretary; Cabinet Secretary is convener
- Other cabinet ministers may be invited to meetings when needed
Key Functions and Responsibilities
- Formulate policy on defence, national security, foreign affairs and atomic energy
- Take strategic decisions to address threats to India’s security including terrorism, insurgency and boundary issues
- Oversee nuclear command authority and nuclear policy
- Approve armament acquisitions for the Armed Forces
- Review and monitor border management policy and infrastructure development
- Assess national security implications of financial and economic issues
Recent Decisions and Developments
Defence, Security and Border Issues
- Approved creation of post of Chief of Defence Staff in December 2022 to enhance coordination among armed forces
- Approved procurement of 100 Predator combat drones from the US in 2023
- Modernization of weapons, systems and technology for the Army, Navy and Airforce over 2022-2024
- Enhanced budgetary allocation for border infrastructure development by 50% in 2024
Terrorism and Insurgency
- National Policy and Action Plan adopted in 2023 to counter radicalization and terror funding
- Recommended further extension of AFSPA in certain conflict zones in Jammu and Kashmir
Foreign Affairs
- Strengthening strategic partnerships with India’s immediate neighbors
- Revised strategic cooperation agreements with France, Australia, Japan and ASEAN
- Trade and border tensions between India and China discussed; additional troops deployed
Atomic Energy
- Approved construction of 6 new indigenous atomic reactors over 2022-2025
- Enhanced security infrastructure for nuclear establishments following intelligence warnings
Ongoing Priorities and Emerging Issues
- Enhancing technical intelligence gathering capabilities
- Developing capabilities for cyber security and cyber warfare
- Strengthening coastal and maritime security framework
- Responding to intelligence inputs warning of terror threats to major cities
- Addressing potential implications of economic crisis in China for India’s security
- Managing increased militant activity in Afghanistan and security issues in Af-Pak region
Key Data Table
| Year | Defence Budget (in billion USD) | % Change |
| 2022 | 71 | 9% |
| 2023 | 77 | 8% |
| 2024 | 82 | 6% |
Defence Procurement and Manufacturing
- Approved a budget of $2.5 billion for domestic procurement of ammunition and missiles in 2023
- ‘Make in India’ initiatives to expand domestic defence manufacturing capabilities:
- Collaboration with France to manufacture fighter jet engines and submarines in India
- Partnerships with Israel and UAE to manufacture drones and anti-tank missile systems
Internal Security Threats
Left-wing extremism
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- Additional paramilitary battalions deployed in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha
- Multi-pronged strategy approved encompassing development projects and community outreach in Maoist affected districts
Northeast insurgencies
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- Peace accords signed with key insurgent groups in Nagaland and Assam in 2023
- Progress made in deportation of illegal immigrants issue raised by Assam groups
Space and Cyber Domains
- Establishing integrated defence cyber agency and cyber monitoring cells
- Enhanced budget allocation for Space Situational Awareness and Space Surveillance projects over 2023-2025
- Committee to review existing cybersecurity policies and make recommendations for legal frameworks
Border Infrastructure and Surveillance
The CCS has accorded high priority to upgrading border infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC) through new roads, bridges and rail links.
- In 2023, approval was granted for building 18 strategic border roads by 2025 with an allocated budget of $3 billion to improve connectivity.
- Real-time surveillance systems called Integrated Surveillance System Tiers are also under implementation in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat covering over 1,000 km of vulnerable patches along Pakistan and China borders.
- They encompass radar, thermal imagers, unattended ground sensors that can detect border crossings and help interdict infiltration bids.
- The BOLD-QIT (Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique) project approved in 2022 will enhance BSF’s anti-infiltration capability along the Indo-Pak border by deploying smart perimeter intrusion detection systems.
- Over 2022-2024, 5,500 thermal imagers and more than 30,000 hand-held thermal cameras have been sanctioned for soldiers on border deployment.
