With swearing-in ceremony, a look at recent members of the all-important Cabinet Committee on Security

The CCS is a cabinet committee of the Government of India that debates and takes final decisions on matters related to security, including senior appointments in the government, and defence procurement. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and it generally includes the Ministers for Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs and Finance. Typically, the leader of the government appoints his most trusted party-members and allies as the heads of these ministries.

In coalition governments, if the single-largest party does not have the majority on its own or is heavily dependent on its alliance partners, then the CCS can end up reflecting the need to manage multiple political interests. Here is a list of the CCS in the most recent coalition governments in India.

First NDA government under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee

In the 1998 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 181 seats, which was short of the 272 mark for majority. George Fernandes’s Samata Party won 12 seats and became a key coalition partner. The other CCS ministers were all from the BJP.

Second NDA government under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The 1999 elections saw the BJP’s tally remain the same. Fernandes retained his portfolio for some time, until the Tehelka defence scam forced his resignation in 2001. However, he was reinstated after a few months.

First UPA government under PM Manmohan Singh

The Congress emerged as the largest party in these elections, but at 145 seats, its share of seats was nowhere near the majority mark. Left parties had a big influence on the government, with the CPI (M) winning 43 seats and the CPI securing 10. CPI (M)’s Somnath Chatterjee was elected as the Speaker, although only Congress ministers were in the CCS.

Second UPA government under PM Manmohan Singh

The 2009 Lok Sabha elections saw the party’s tally improve to 206 seats. Barring a few changes and cabinet reshuffling, it largely retained the same faces as it had in the previous term. Notably, Pranab Mujherjee resigned to file his nomination for the Presidential polls, which he won that year.

First NDA government under PM Narendra Modi

In what was described as a landslide victory, the BJP won 282 seats in the 2014 elections, meaning it did not have to rely on its coalition partners to form the government. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar passed away in 2017.

Second NDA government under PM Narendra Modi

Improving on its already strong position in the Lok Sabha, the BJP secured 303 seats in 2019. With senior leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley passing away in 2019, major changes were witnessed in the CCS. As part of the caretaker government, the ministers are incumbent until the new cabinet is sworn-in.

The writer is an intern with The Indian Express