Union Ministries

Ministry of Defence

The Ministry of Defence is the Government of India's apex body for national defence. It frames defence policy and administers the three armed services, defence research and development, and defence production. Working through its departments — including the Department of Military Affairs headed by the Chief of Defence Staff — it is the civilian authority over India's military.

Ministry of External Affairs

The Ministry of External Affairs is the Government of India's department for the conduct of foreign relations — diplomacy, treaties, the diaspora, and representation abroad. It runs India's embassies and high commissions and is the lead agency for the country's borders diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and consular services.

Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance is the Government of India's apex economic department. It prepares the Union Budget, sets tax and expenditure policy, manages public borrowing and disinvestment, and oversees the financial sector. Working through five departments, it is the institution that translates economic strategy into the government's spending, taxation and borrowing.

Ministry of Home Affairs

The Ministry of Home Affairs is the Government of India's department for internal security and domestic order. It oversees the central armed police forces, border management, centre–state relations, disaster management and internal-security policy. It is the institution most responsible for security inside India's borders, as distinct from external defence.