NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The recent appointment of an Additional National Security Advisor (ANSA) and restructuring of reporting lines within the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and with Union ministries has gone largely unnoticed despite its significance.

National Security Council

• About: It is an executive agency of India, headed by Prime Minister of India.
• Establishment: November 19, 1998, by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with Brajesh Mishra as its first National Security Advisor.
• Role: The NSC of India advises the Prime Minister's Office on national security and strategic interests.
• Predecessor: Before the NSC, these responsibilities were managed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
• Composition: Members include the National Security Advisor (NSA), Deputy NSAs, and Ministers of Defence, External Affairs, Home, and Finance, along with the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.
• Appointment Process: Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) chaired by PM and Home Minister.
• Responsible for appointments like the National Security Advisor.
• Organisational Structure

o Apex Body: The NSC serves as the highest authority within India's three-tiered national security management structure.

o Three Tiers: Includes the Strategic Policy Group, the National Security Advisory Board, and a secretariat provided by the Joint Intelligence Committee.