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Question 59 of 78 · Union Executive: President, VP & PM
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The body that provides secretarial assistance to the Union Cabinet and coordinates the administration of the Government of India is the:

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Answer: Option C — Cabinet Secretariat

Detailed Solution

The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under the Prime Minister and provides secretarial assistance to the Union Cabinet and its committees. It also helps coordinate the work of different ministries.

Head of the Cabinet Secretariat:

  • It is headed by the Cabinet Secretary, who is the senior-most civil servant in the country.
  • The Cabinet Secretary is usually a senior IAS officer.
  • He is also the ex officio chairman of the Civil Services Board.

Functions of the Cabinet Secretariat:

  • Providing secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and its committees, including preparing the agenda and recording decisions.
  • Ensuring that decisions of the Cabinet are followed up and implemented by the ministries.
  • Coordinating the work of ministries and resolving differences between them through committees of secretaries.
  • Administering the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 and the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
  • Assisting in decision-making during crises, through bodies such as the National Crisis Management Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.

Monthly reports:

Every ministry sends a monthly summary of its important activities to the Cabinet Secretariat, which helps keep the Cabinet informed.

History:

  • The Cabinet Secretariat traces its origin to the Secretariat of the Executive Council of the Governor-General.
  • After independence, it was reorganised to serve the Union Cabinet.

N.R. Pillai was the first Cabinet Secretary of independent India.

Difference from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO):

  • The PMO assists the Prime Minister in his role as head of government and handles matters that need his attention.
  • The Cabinet Secretariat assists the Cabinet as a whole.

Organisations attached to the Cabinet Secretariat:

Some intelligence-related organisations function under the Cabinet Secretariat.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗The PMO assists the Prime Minister.
  • ✗The Ministry of Home Affairs deals with internal security and centre-state relations.
  • ✗The Department of Personnel and Training deals with personnel matters.

Quick tip

Remember: Cabinet Secretariat = under the PM, headed by the Cabinet Secretary; serves the Cabinet and coordinates ministries.

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Union Executive: President, VP & PM — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Union Executive: President, VP & PM, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers the Union Executive: the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, and the Attorney General. It includes their election or appointment, qualifications, powers, removal, and the relationship between the President and the Council of Ministers. Common questions cover the electoral college that elects the President, impeachment under Article 61, the President's ordinance-making power (Article 123) and pardoning power (Article 72), and the fact that the Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Lists of past Presidents and Prime Ministers are also tested. Practise the Union Executive questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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