Context:
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of new Cabinet Secretary with a 2-year tenure
Cabinet Secretary (CS):
- Top-most executive official and senior-most civil servant of the Government of India
- Appointed by – Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
- Under the direct charge of the PM and is appointed for a fixed tenure of 2 years.
- Mandate – Responsible for administration of Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961.
- Ex-officio Chairman of Civil Services Board (CSB).
- She/he ranks 11th on the Indian order of precedence
- Ensures inter-ministerial coordination, irons out differences among ministries and departments, etc.
- Has no authority over working departments, as CS is regarded as primus inter pares among secretaries of Union Government.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?
1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committee
3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Cabinet Secretariat is not involved in the allocation of financial resources to the Ministries.
