Syllabus: 

GS2: Statutory, Regulatory and various Quasi-judicial Bodies.

GS3: Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.

Context: 

Recently, the Government has reorganised the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) amid the ongoing tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

More on the news:

Alok Joshi, former Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing, has been appointed as a chairman. 

Other new members of the board include 

• Former Ambassador to Russia D. B. Venkatesh Varma
• Former Southern Army Commander Lt Gen A. K. Singh 
• Former Western Air Commander Air Marshal P. M. Sinha
• Rear Admiral Monty Khanna
• Former IPS officers Rajiv Ranjan Verma 
• Shri Manmohan Singh 
• Shri A. B. Mathur.

National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) 

• The NSAB was established in December 1998 and serves as an advisory body to provide inputs on national security matters referred by the National Security Council (NSC). 
• The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) supports the functioning of the NSC, NSAB, and the Strategic Policy Group.

Legal mandate

• The NSAB holds neither statutory nor constitutional status and functions under the framework of the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). 
• It is an advisory body whose recommendations are non-binding but carry significant influence.

Composition

• NSAB never has a fixed number of members, allowing flexibility in its composition based on evolving national security needs. The current strength is sixteen.
• The board's members are appointed for a term of two years. 
• The members of NSAB are appointed by the PMO on the advice of the NSA. 
• The NSAB includes reputed individuals from outside the government, often former officials with notable experience and integrity.
• The chairperson and members are chosen from the military, academia, and civil society, with expertise in security, foreign affairs, defense, science, and economic matters.

Functions and Mandate 

• To undertake long-term analysis and provide perspectives on national security issues to the National Security Council (NSC).
• To recommend measures/solutions and policy options on the issues referred to it by the National Security Council, as per a written reply given by the Government in Parliament. 
• In the past, NSAB has contributed to the Nuclear Doctrine (2001) and National Security Review (2007).