A few days after PK Mishra was appointed Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and PK Sinha as Principal Advisor, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has defined the working areas of both officials under the leadership of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

As per the order issued by the Principal Secretary, Mishra will look into policy issues and matters related to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and other appointments, besides the Ministries of Personnel and Law. As per the order, he will also look into issues related to the Cabinet Secretariat, list of subjects for the Cabinet meeting, anti-corruption unit, PMO establishments, and all-important policy issues and matters.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will handle all matters related to national security and policy matters except appointments. He will also look into matters related to the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Space, Atomic Energy and the country's external intelligence agency 'Research and Analysis Wing' (RAW). Doval has also been given the responsibility of negotiating with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) separatists.

As per the order issued on 13 September, Principal Adviser to Prime Minister PK Sinha will oversee the policy issues and matters relating to all the Ministries / Departments / Agencies / Bodies specifically allotted to the Principal Secretary and the NSA. Sinha is a former Cabinet Secretary who was an OSD in the PMO before being appointed as the Principal Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mishra and Doval have equal status as cabinet ministers.