The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) - Overview

Why in news?

• Recently, the ACC appointed V Narayanan, a rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert, as the new Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space.

About the Appointment Committee

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) plays a crucial role in making senior appointments within the Government of India.
• Composition: The ACC is headed by the Prime Minister as the Chairperson, with the Minister of Home Affairs as the only other member, forming a two-member committee.
• Responsibilities:
  • Handling senior government appointments, including Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, and Joint Secretaries.
  • Deciding on appointments to top positions in Public Sector Units (PSUs), banks, insurance companies, and autonomous bodies.
  • Delegating lower-level appointments to concerned ministries.

Cabinet Committees Overview

• Nature: Cabinet Committees are extra-constitutional and not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution. They are established under the Rules of Business.
• Purpose: To ensure effective policy examination and reduce the workload of the Cabinet, they provide in-depth analysis and coordination.
• Types: There are two types—Standing Committees (permanent) and Ad hoc Committees (temporary).
• Formation & Membership: Cabinet Committees are formed by the Prime Minister and vary in size, usually comprising 3 to 8 Cabinet Ministers. Non-Cabinet Ministers may also be included.
• Chaired by: The Prime Minister typically heads most committees, except for the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.

Types of Cabinet Committees

There are currently eight Cabinet Committees:

• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
• Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
• Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
• Cabinet Committee on Accommodation
• Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
• Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
• Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth
• Cabinet Committee on Skill, Employment, and Livelihood

Conclusion

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) plays a pivotal role in shaping the leadership of India’s public sector and ensuring smooth administrative operations.
• Its decisions have far-reaching impacts on governance, with the Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs at the helm.