The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) is a powerful, standing institutional body within the Union Government, often described as the "super cabinet." It is an extra-constitutional body, meaning it is not mentioned in the Constitution of India. The authority for its creation and functioning is derived from the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961, which are framed under Article 77 of the Constitution. The concept of Cabinet Committees evolved to reduce the workload of the full Cabinet and expedite decision-making. The CCPA was specifically formed to manage the Centre-state relationship and address political issues requiring a wider perspective.
The committee is invariably chaired by the Prime Minister and comprises senior cabinet ministers, acting as the top political coordination body for sensitive issues. Its key functions include dealing with problems related to Centre-State relations and considering economic and political issues that require a broad perspective. It also handles policy matters concerning foreign affairs, provided they do not have internal or external security implications, which are typically handled by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The CCPA is one of the eight standing Cabinet Committees. The Prime Minister has the power to constitute or discontinue these committees and modify their functions. The CCPA was reconstituted by the Prime Minister according to the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 after the 2019 general election, and the Prime Minister continued to head it after the 2024 reconstitution of cabinet committees.