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Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
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- The civil leadership, in the form of the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security), is the only body authorized to order a nuclear strike against another offending strike: In effect, it is the Prime Minister who has his finger “on the button.”
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Nuclear Command Authority (NCA)
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- On January 4, 2003, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) constituted the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA). NCA has two councils: the Executive Council and the Political Council.
- The Executive Council is chaired by the National Security Advisor (NSA) while the Political Council is chaired by the Prime Minister.
- The National Security Advisor gives the inputs to the Political Council, which authorities a nuclear attack when deemed necessary. This mechanism of the Political Council is advised by the Executive Council and letting the “nuclear button remain with PM” was implemented to ensure that Indian nukes remain firmly in civilian control and that there exists a sophisticated Command and Control (C2) mechanism to prevent their accidental or unauthorized use.
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Strategic Nuclear Command or Strategic Forces Command
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- Strategic Nuclear Command, forms part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA). India’s Strategic Nuclear Command was formally established in 2003.
- The Joint Services SNC is the custodian of all of India’s nuclear weapons, missiles, and assets. It is also responsible for executing all aspects of India’s nuclear policy.
- The directives of the NCA are to be operationalized by the Strategic Forces Command under the control of a Commander-in-Chief of the rank of Air Marshal (or its equivalent) in charge of the management and administration of the tactical and strategic nuclear forces. (So as it is clear, Strategic Nuclear Command is the implementing agency of the nuclear decision.)
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National Security Council (NSC) of India
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- The National Security Council (NSC) of India is the apex agency looking into the country’s political, economic, energy, and strategic security concerns. (Please note that the NSC has roles beyond nuclear deterrence.
- The chief executive is the National Security Adviser. Before the formation of the NSC, these activities were overseen by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister).
- The three-tiered structure of the NSC comprises the Strategic Policy Group, the National Security Advisory Board, and a Secretariat represented by the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC).
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