Cabinet Secretary (India)
| Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of India | |
|---|---|
 Emblem of India | |
 | |
| Reports to | |
| Residence | 32, Prithviraj Road, New Delhi[1] |
| Seat | Cabinet Secretariat of India, South Block, New Delhi |
| Appointer | Appointments Committee of the Cabinet The Cabinet Secretary is usually the senior most IAS officer of the senior most batch. The appointee for the office is approved by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister, based on appointee's ability and strong confidence with Prime Minister. |
| Term length | No fixed tenure is imposed on the office but term can be extended. |
| Inaugural holder | N. R. Pillai, ICS |
| Formation | 1950 |
| Salary | ₹250,000 (US$3,100) monthly[2][3] |
| Website | Official Website |
The Cabinet Secretary (Mantrimandal Sachiv) is the top most executive official and senior-most civil servant of Government of India. The Cabinet Secretary is the ex-officio head of the Civil Services Board, the Cabinet Secretariat, the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and head of all civil services under the rules of business of the Government of India.
The Cabinet Secretary is generally the senior-most officer of the Indian Administrative Service. The Cabinet Secretary ranks 11th on the Indian Order of Precedence.[4][5][6][7] The Cabinet Secretary is under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. Though there is no fixed tenure, the office-bearer's tenure can be extended.
History
Origin
The Executive Council (precursor of the Cabinet) of the Viceroy of India used to have a Secretariat, which was headed by the Private Secretary of the Viceroy. Initially the role of this Secretariat was merely taking care of the paper work related to the Executive Council. As work of the individual departments (precursor of Ministries) under the Council increased, the work of the Secretariat, too, became more complex. The Private Secretary came to be known as the Secretary of the Secretariat. And this post became more powerful over time as the Secretariat’s main role became coordinating work of departments. In 1946, the Secretariat became Cabinet Secretariat and the Secretary became Cabinet Secretary.
After Independence in 1947, the functions of the Secretariat underwent major changes. A series of committees on economic, defence and intelligence matters were constituted under the Cabinet Secretariat. Most of the departments created after Independence functioned under the Cabinet Secretariat, and were later on shifted to the respective ministries. The position holder is accountable for ensuring that the civil service is equipped with the skills and capability to meet the everyday challenges it faces and that civil servants work in a fair and decent environment. For nearly 25 years after independence of India, the post of the Cabinet Secretary was occupied by members of the erstwhile Indian Civil Service (ICS). All members of ICS were young since the upper age limit for joining was 24 years.
The retirement age in the Government of India before 1962 was 55 years. Therefore, the ICS officers would become Cabinet Secretaries after about 32 years of service. When the retirement age increased to 58 years in 1962, the Cabinet Secretaries had an experience of about 34–35 years before they occupied that post. With further increase in retirement age to 60 years in 1998, Cabinet Secretaries have generally served for 37–38 years of service before their appointment.
Functions
The following are the functions of the Cabinet Secretary:
- Head of the All India Services.
- Acts as the Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
- Ensures that the Cabinet decisions are implemented
- Act as the Chairman of the Committee of Secretaries on Administration
- Act as the Chairman of the Conference of Chief Secretaries of States.
- Acts as the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
- Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister of India.
- Provide assistance to the Council of Ministers.
- Prepares the agenda of the Cabinet.
- Attends the meetings of the Cabinet.
- Provide an element of continuity and stability to administration during crises.
Power and role
In the Government of India Allocation of Business Rules, 1961 "Cabinet Secretariat" finds a place in the First Schedule to the Rules. The subjects allotted to this Secretariat are, firstly, secretarial assistance to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees, and secondly, the administration of the Rules of Business.
The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Government of India Transaction of Business Rules, 1961 and the Government of India Allocation of Business Rules 1961, facilitating smooth transaction of business in Ministries/Departments of the Government by ensuring adherence to these rules. The Secretariat assists in decision-making in Government by ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination, ironing out differences amongst Ministries/Departments and evolving consensus through the instrumentality of the standing/adhoc Committees of Secretaries. Through this mechanism new policy initiatives are also promoted.
The Cabinet Secretariat ensures that the President of India, the Vice-President and Ministers are kept informed of the major activities of all Departments by means of a monthly summary of their activities. Management of major crisis situations in the country and coordinating activities of the various Ministries in such a situation is also one of the functions of the Cabinet Secretariat.
The Cabinet Secretariat has 3 wings: Civil, Military and Intelligence. The Civil wing is the main wing and provides aid, advice and assistance to the Union Cabinet. The purpose of having the Military wing is to provide better coordination in Intelligence and to provide secretarial assistance to the Defence Committee of the Cabinet and the National Defence Council. The Military wing is represented by Major General (or equivalent) who is designated as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. The Intelligence wing deals with matters pertaining to the Joint Intelligence Committee of the Union Cabinet. The chief of Research and Analysis Wing R&AW also officially first reports to the Cabinet Secretary, and is officially designated Secretary (R) in the Cabinet Secretariat.
The Administrative Reforms Commission (1966-70) found that the average tenure of the Cabinet Secretary was two years and eight months, which was considered to be inadequate. It recommended a tenure of three to four years. It also wanted that Cabinet Secretary to act as the principal staff officer to Prime Minister, the cabinet and the cabinet committees of important matters.
Emolument, accommodation and perquisites
The Cabinet Secretary to Government of India is eligible for a Diplomatic passport. The official earmarked residence of the Cabinet Secretary is 32, Prithviraj Road, New Delhi, a Type-VIII bungalow.[1]
The salary and emolument in this rank is equivalent to Chief of the Army Staff,[11] in the rank of General, and equivalent posts in Indian Armed Forces.[11]
| Base Salary as per 7th Pay Commission (Per month) | Pay Matrix Level | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| ₹250,000 (US$3,100)[2][3] | Pay Level 18 | [2][3] |
Head of the All India Civil Services
As head of the All India Civil Services, the incumbent position holder is accountable for ensuring that the Civil Services are equipped with the skills and capability to meet the everyday challenges it faces and that civil servants work in a fair and decent environment. The Cabinet Secretary is arguably India's most powerful bureaucrat and right hand of Prime Minister of India.[12][13]
List of Cabinet Secretaries of India after 1950
| Name | From | To | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N. R. Pillai | 6 February 1950 | 13 May 1953 | 2 years, 7 months, 8 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. He was the first head of the civil service since Independence of India. |
| Y. N. Sukthankar | 14 May 1953 | 31 July 1957 | 4 years, 2 months, 17 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| M. K. Vellodi | 1 August 1957 | 4 June 1958 | 10 months, 3 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. He later served as Chief Minister of Hyderabad State. |
| Vishnu Sahay | 1 July 1958 | 10 November 1960 | 2 years, 4 months, 9 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| B. N. Jha | 10 November 1960 | 8 March 1961 | 3 months, 26 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| Vishnu Sahay | 9 March 1961 | 15 April 1962 | 1 year, 1 month, 6 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| S. S. Khera | 15 April 1962 | 18 November 1964 | 2 years, 7 months, 3 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. He is the first Sikh to become Cabinet secretary. He was known for use of tanks against rioters in meerut riots of 1947. |
| Dharma Vira | 18 November 1964 | 27 June 1966 | 1 year, 7 months, 9 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| D. S. Joshi | 27 June 1966 | 31 December 1968 | 2 years, 6 months, 4 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| B. Sivaraman | 1 January 1969 | 30 November 1970 | 1 year, 10 months, 29 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| T. Swaminathan | 1 December 1970 | 2 November 1972 | 1 year, 11 months, 1 day | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| B. D. Pande | 2 November 1972 | 31 March 1977 | 4 years, 4 months, 29 days | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service. |
| N. K. Mukarji | 31 March 1977 | 31 March 1980 | 3 years | He was a member of the Indian Civil Service and the last ICS officer to become head of the civil service of Independent India. |
| S. S. Grewal | 2 April 1980 | 30 April 1981 | 1 year, 28 days | He belongs to the IAS (PB:1949 batch). He was the first IAS officer to be appointed to this post. |
| C. R. Krishnaswamy Rao | 30 April 1981 | 8 February 1985 | 4 years, 9 months, 9 days | He belongs to the IAS (AP:1949 batch). He is the longest serving Cabinet Secretary ever in history of Independent India. |
| P. K. Kaul | 8 February 1985 | 22 August 1986 | 1 year, 6 months, 14 days | He belongs to the IAS (UP:1951 batch). |
| B. G. Deshmukh | 23 August 1986 | 27 March 1989 | 2 years, 7 months, 4 days | He belongs to the IAS (MH:1951 batch). |
| T. N. Seshan | 27 March 1989 | 23 December 1989 | 8 months, 26 days | He belongs to the IAS (TN:1955 batch). |
| V. C. Pande | 23 December 1989 | 11 December 1990 | 11 months, 18 days | He belongs to the IAS (RJ:1955 batch). |
| Naresh Chandra | 11 December 1990 | 31 July 1992 | 1 year, 7 months, 20 days | He belongs to the IAS (RJ:1956 batch). |
| S. Rajagopal | 1 August 1992 | 31 July 1993 | 11 months, 30 days | He belongs to the IAS (MH:1957 batch). |
| Zafar Saifullah | 31 July 1993 | 31 July 1994 | 1 year | He belongs to the IAS (KA:1958 batch). |
| Surendra Singh | 1 August 1994 | 31 July 1996 | 1 year, 11 months, 30 days | He belongs to the IAS (UP:1959 batch). |
| T. S. R. Subramanian | 1 August 1996 | 31 March 1998 | 1 year, 7 months, 30 days | He belongs to the IAS (UP:1961 batch). |
| Prabhat Kumar | 1 April 1998 | 31 October 2000 | 2 years, 6 months, 30 days | He belongs to the IAS (UP:1963 batch). |
| T. R. Prasad | 1 November 2000 | 31 October 2002 | 1 year, 11 months, 30 days | He belongs to the IAS (AP:1963 batch). |
| Kamal Pande | 1 November 2002 | 14 June 2004 | 1 year, 7 months, 13 days | He belongs to the IAS (UK:1965 batch). |
| B. K. Chaturvedi | 14 June 2004 | 13 June 2007 | 2 years, 11 months, 30 days | He belongs to the IAS (UP:1966 batch). |
| K. M. Chandrasekhar | 14 June 2007 | 13 June 2011 | 3 years, 11 months, 30 days | He belongs to the IAS (KL:1970 batch). |
| Ajit Seth | 14 June 2011 | 13 June 2015 | 3 years, 11 months, 30 days | He belongs to the IAS (UP:1974 batch). |
| P. K. Sinha | 14 June 2015 | Incumbent | - | He belongs to the IAS (UP:1977 batch). |
See also
References
- ^ a b "PK Sinha is the top boss". GFiles Magazine. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c "Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission of India" (PDF). Seventh Central Pay Commission, Government of India. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Biswas, Shreya, ed. (29 June 2016). "7th Pay Commission cleared: What is the Pay Commission? How does it affect salaries?". India Today. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Order of Precedence" (PDF). Rajya Sabha. President's Secretariat. 26 July 1979. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Table of Precedence" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. President's Secretariat. 26 July 1979. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Table of Precedence". Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. President's Secretariat. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Maheshwari, S.R. (2000). Indian Administration (6th Edition). New Delhi: Orient Blackswan Private Ltd. ISBN 9788125019886.
- ^ "Powers & Duties of Officials". Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "What does the Cabinet Secretary do?". Rediff.com. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Sen, Amit (20 August 2013). "Powers of Cabinet Secretary". Important India. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Army Pay Rules, 2017" (PDF). Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "PK Sinha to be next cabinet secretary: All you should know about India's most powerful bureaucrat". Firstpost. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "From Power Secretary to the most powerful bureaucrat". Business Line. The Hindu. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Cabinet Secretaries Since 1950". Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
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