Central Secretariat

Central Secretariat
Name	Central Secretariat
Jurisdiction	National executive authority
Headquarters	Secretariat Building, Raisina Hill
Chief1 name	Cabinet Secretary
Chief1 position	Head of Secretariat
Parent department	Executive Office

Central Secretariat is the administrative core of the national executive, located in the precinct around the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House complex on Raisina Hill. It serves as the nexus linking ministries such as Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence and institutions like the Cabinet Secretariat and the Prime Minister's Office. The Secretariat interfaces with constitutional offices including the President of India, the Vice President of India, and the Election Commission of India while coordinating with intergovernmental mechanisms such as the Inter-State Council, the Finance Commission, and the NITI Aayog.

History

The Secretariat traces its origins to colonial administrative arrangements under the East India Company and the British Raj, evolving after the passage of the Government of India Act 1919 and the Government of India Act 1935. Following independence and the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950, institutional reforms led to reorganization influenced by reports like the Santhanam Committee and administrative commissions such as the Second Administrative Reforms Commission. The Secretariat's architecture and precinct reflect planning by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker and the broader urban design of New Delhi conceived during the Delhi Durbar era. Its functions were refined through landmark events including the Emergency (India) period and subsequent civil service reforms prompted by inquiries linked to the Kher Committee and the Gopalaswami Ayyangar Committee.

Structure and Organization

The Secretariat is organized into divisions and cadres mirroring the structure of major ministries such as Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of External Affairs. Principal units include the Cabinet Secretariat, the Legislative Department, the Department of Personnel and Training, and the Audit and Accounts Division. Administrative leadership is provided by the Cabinet Secretary and supported by Secretaries to the Government of India drawn from the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, and specialist services like the Indian Revenue Service and Indian Audit and Accounts Service. Coordination mechanisms use standing committees such as the Empowered Committee and inter-ministerial panels convened in conference rooms adjacent to India Gate and the North Block and South Block complexes.

Functions and Responsibilities

The Secretariat performs policy coordination for ministries including Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce and Industry, secretarial services to the Cabinet Committee on Security, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, and the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs. It processes cabinet notes, attestation of statutes from the Ministry of Law and Justice, and routing of files related to bilateral treaties such as the Indo-US Nuclear Deal and multilateral instruments like agreements negotiated at UN General Assembly sessions. The Secretariat administers appointments to constitutional posts including the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, and coordinates emergency responses with agencies such as the National Disaster Management Authority and the Indian Armed Forces through the Ministry of Defence and Home Ministry channels.

Key Offices and Departments

Prominent offices housed within or linked to the Secretariat precinct include the Cabinet Secretariat, the Prime Minister's Office, the Finance Ministry secretariat, and the secretariat wings of Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Railways. Departments with specialized mandates include the Legislative Department, the Department of Economic Affairs, the Department of Expenditure, the Department of Personnel and Training, and the Department of Revenue. Supporting institutions and boards interacting frequently with the Secretariat include the Reserve Bank of India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, and the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Personnel and Appointments

Senior appointments are made from cadres such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Revenue Service, and the Indian Audit and Accounts Service. Statutory appointments include the Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries to various ministries, Joint Secretaries, and Director-level officers drawn through the Union Public Service Commission and internal empanelment processes. The Secretariat maintains liaison with service associations like the All India Services Association and oversight bodies including the Central Vigilance Commission and the Central Information Commission to administer discipline, transparency, and integrity in appointments and conduct.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The Secretariat complex comprises office blocks such as the North Block and South Block, the Secretariat Building, conference halls used for inter-ministerial meetings, and archival repositories housing records linked to constitutional instruments and treaties like agreements signed under the Indus Waters Treaty and memoranda from summits such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Security and access are controlled in coordination with agencies including the Special Protection Group, Central Reserve Police Force, and the Delhi Police. Ancillary facilities include protocol sections for state visits coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and logistical support coordinated with the Central Public Works Department.

Category:Government of India