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RAW: India’s External Intelligence Agency

An Indian commando running into Taj Hotel before a gun battle in Mumbai, November 28, 2008.

India’s primary espionage agency and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have long been at odds in a long-standing battle for influence.

Backgrounder by Jayshree Bajoria

November 7, 2008 1:59 pm (EST)

Introduction

India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has long faced allegations of meddling in its neighbors’ affairs. Founded in 1968, primarily to counter China’s influence, over time it has shifted its focus to India’s other traditional rival, Pakistan. RAW and Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) , have been engaged in covert operations against one other for over three decades. The ongoing dispute in Kashmir continues to fuel these clashes, but experts say Afghanistan may be emerging as the new battleground. Islamabad sees India’s growing diplomatic initiatives in Afghanistan as a cover for RAW agents working to destabilize Pakistan. It accuses RAW of training and arming separatists in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province along the Afghan border. RAW denies these charges, and in turn, accuses the ISI of the July 2008 bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul.

The History of RAW

Until 1968, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), which is responsible for India’s internal intelligence, also handled external intelligence. But after India’s miserable performance in a 1962 border war with China, the need for a separate external intelligence agency was clear. During that conflict, “our intelligence failed to detect Chinese build up for the attack,” writes Maj. Gen. VK Singh, a retired army officer who did a stint in RAW, in his 2007 book, India’s External Intelligence: Secrets of Research and Analysis Wing .

Intelligence

As a result, India established a dedicated external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing. Founded mainly to focus on China and Pakistan, over the last forty years the organization has expanded its mandate and is credited with greatly increasing India’s influence abroad. Experts say RAW’s powers and its role in India’s foreign policy have varied under different prime ministers. RAW claims that it contributed to several foreign policy successes:

the creation of Bangladesh in 1971;
India’s growing influence in Afghanistan;
the northeast state of Sikkim’s accession to India in 1975;
the security of India’s nuclear program;
the success of African liberation movements during the Cold War.

Over the last forty years the organization has expanded its mandate and is credited with increasing India’s influence.

RAW’s first leader, Rameshwar Nath Kao, led the agency until he retired in 1977. Many experts, including officers who worked with him, credit Kao with RAW’s initial successes: India’s triumph in the 1971 war with Pakistan, and India’s covert assistance to the African National Congress’s anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. “To a large extent, it was Kao who raised RAW to the level of India’s premier intelligence agency, with agents in virtually every major embassy and high commission,” writes Singh. But the organization has been criticized for its lack of coordination with domestic intelligence and security agencies, weak analytical capabilities, and complete lack of transparency.

The Structure and Function of RAW

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Not much is known regarding the structure of RAW, say experts. The organization started with 250 people and about $400,000. It has since expanded to several thousand personnel, but its staffing and budget remain secret. However, an estimate by the U.S.-based Federation of American Scientists suggests that in 2000, RAW had about eight to ten thousand agents and a budget that experts place at $145 million . Unlike the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Britain’s MI6, RAW reports directly to the prime minister instead of the Ministry of Defense. The chief of RAW is designated secretary (research) in the Cabinet Secretariat, which is part of the prime minister’s office. Some officers of RAW are members of a specialized service, the Research and Analysis Service, but several officers also serve on deputation from other services such as the Indian Police Service.

RAW had two priorities after its formation, writes B. Raman, a former RAW official, in the 2007 book, The Kaoboys of R&AW: Down Memory Lane . The organization worked to strengthen its capability for intelligence gathering on Pakistan and China and for covert action in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Some experts say that RAW’s efforts in East Pakistan, which was created from the partition of the Indian state of Bengal and completely separated from the rest of Pakistan, was aimed at fomenting independence sentiment. Over time, RAW’s objectives have broadened to include:

monitoring the political and military developments in adjoining countries, which have direct bearing on India’s national security and in the formulation of its foreign policy.
seeking the control and limitation of the supply of military hardware to Pakistan, mostly from European countries, the United States, and China.

Experts disagree on the amount of influence RAW asserts on India’s foreign policy. Sumit Ganguly , a professor of political science at Indiana University, says the agency has no influence on foreign policy. However, Dipankar Banerjee , a retired army official and founding director of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, a New Delhi-based think tank, says the head of RAW has direct access to the head of state, to whom he provides input and analysis.

From the early days, RAW had a secret liaison relationship with the Mossad, Israel’s external intelligence agency. The main purpose was to benefit from Israel’s knowledge of West Asia and North Africa, and to learn from its counterterrorism techniques, say experts.

RAW’s Role in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka

RAW played a significant role in the formation of Bangladesh along with the Indian army and other Indian security and intelligence agencies. Besides providing intelligence to policymakers and the army, RAW trained and armed Mukti Bahini, a group of East Pakistanis fighting for the separate state of Bangladesh. Analysts say that RAW also facilitated the northeastern state of Sikkim’s accession to India in 1975, and provided military assistance to groups hostile to the pro-China regime in Myanmar, such as the Kachin Independence Army.

It was the support for the Tamil separatist group that brought RAW much criticism from human rights organizations.

But it was the support for the Tamil separatist group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka, that brought RAW much criticism from human rights organizations. RAW helped train and arm the LTTE in the 1970s, but after the group’s terrorist activities grew in the 1980s—including its alliances with separatist groups in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu—RAW withdrew this support. In 1987, New Delhi made a pact with the Sri Lankan government to send peacekeeping troops to the island, and Indian forces ended up fighting the group RAW had armed. In 1991, Rajiv Gandhi, prime minister of India at the time of the peacekeeping force deployment, was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber.

Covert Action in Afghanistan and Pakistan

In retaliation, in the mid-1980s, RAW set up two covert groups of its own, Counter Intelligence Team-X (CIT-X) and Counter Intelligence Team-J (CIT-J), the first targeting Pakistan in general and the second directed at Khalistani groups. The two groups were responsible for carrying out terrorist operations inside Pakistan, writes Pakistani military expert Ayesha Siddiqa . Indian journalist Praveen Swami writes that a “low-grade but steady campaign of bombings in major Pakistani cities, notably Karachi and Lahore” was carried out. This forced the head of ISI to meet his counterpart in RAW and agree on the rules of engagement as far as Punjab was concerned, writes Siddiqa. The negotiation was brokered by then-Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan bin-Talal, whose wife, Princess Sarvath, is of Pakistani origin. “It was agreed that Pakistan would not carry out activities in the Punjab as long as RAW refrained from creating mayhem and violence inside Pakistan,” Siddiqa writes.

In the past, Pakistan also accused RAW of supporting Sindhi nationalists demanding a separate state, as well as Seraikis calling for a partition of Pakistan’s Punjab to create a separate Seraiki state. India denies these charges. However, experts point out that India has supported insurgents in Pakistan’s Balochistan, as well as anti-Pakistan forces in Afghanistan. But some experts say India no longer does this. As this Backgrounder explains, Pakistan is suspicious of India’s influence in Afghanistan, which it views as a threat to its own interests in the region. Experts say although it is very likely that India has active intelligence gathering in Afghanistan, it is difficult to say whether it is also involved in covert operations.

Relations With the CIA

The CIA assisted in the creation of RAW, says South Asia expert Stephen P. Cohen of the Brookings Institution. However, India’s intelligence relations with the CIA started even before the existence of RAW, note experts. After India’s war with China in 1962, CIA instructors trained Establishment 22, a “covert organisation raised from among Tibetan refugees in India, to execute deep-penetration terror operations in China,” wrote Swami.

But the CIA’s operations with the ISI to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s made RAW very wary. However, it did not stop RAW from seeking the CIA’s assistance in counterterrorism training. Raman writes: “One had one more bizarre example of how international intelligence cooperation works.” The CIA trained the officers of the ISI in the use of terrorism against an adversary, and at the same time, he writes, it trained RAW and IB officers “in some of the techniques of countering that terrorism." India’s intelligence agencies also feel the lack of an equal relationship with the CIA, say experts. Swami says RAW’s grievance is that they get little information on Pakistan from the United States; however, Washington expects New Delhi to provide it with intelligence on Afghanistan.

In 1997, Prime Minister I.K. Gujral shut down both the CITs aimed at Pakistan on moral grounds. Before Gujral, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao had ended RAW’s eastern operations in the early 1990s, as part of his efforts to build bridges with China and Myanmar, say analysts.

Successive RAW leaders attempted to gain fresh authorization for deterrent covert operations, but without success, says Swami. Siddiqa wrote: “The Indian government probably realized that encouraging covert warfare would not only destabilize bilateral relations but was also dangerous for the peace and stability of the entire region.”

Weaknesses in RAW

The intrusion of Pakistan-backed armed forces into the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999 prompted questions about RAW’s efficacy. Some analysts saw the conflict as an intelligence failure. However, RAW officials argued they had provided the intelligence but political leadership had failed to act upon it. The Indian government formed a committee to look into the failure and recommend remedial measures. The report of the Kargil review committee was then examined by a group of ministers, established in 2000. The group recommended a formal written charter and pointed out lack of coordination and communication within various intelligence agencies.

Following the review, a new organization was set up: the National Technical Research Organization (NTRO)—modeled on the U.S. National Security Agency—which would be the repository of the nation’s technical intelligence-spy satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and spy planes. The government also decided to create a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), whose head would be the advisor to the Chief of Staffs Committee and the defense minister. The DIA was empowered to conduct transborder operations.

However, the shakeup of the intelligence apparatus has not removed some problems, especially relating to the overlap of agency activities, say experts. Earlier, RAW was the only organization permitted to conduct espionage operations abroad. Now, both the IB and DIA have the authority to conduct such operations, writes Singh.

There have also been occasional media reports of penetration inside RAW by other agencies, in particular the CIA. Swami writes that RAW is exceptional amongst major spy agencies in maintaining no permanent distinction between covert operatives who execute secret tasks, and personnel who must liaise with services such as the CIA or public bodies, such as analysts and area specialists. “As a result, personnel with sensitive operational information are exposed to potentially compromising contacts,” he writes.

This Congressional Research Report outlines the history and objectives of the Indian government’s Research and Analysis Wing.

CFR’s Pakistan Crisis Guide delves into the country’s regional security conflicts.

Global Security provides a general history of the agency’s activities in this article .

V.K. Singh’s 2007 book India’s External Intelligence: Secrets of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) gives first-hand insight into the agency.

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Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW): Inside India’s Foreign Intelligence Agency

April 27, 2024

1. Introduction to RAW

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is one of the key intelligence agencies in India . The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) stands as one of India’s key intelligence agencies. It initially focused primarily on China and Pakistan , but over the past forty years, it has expanded its mandate, significantly bolstering India’s global influence. RAW’s primary responsibility is to provide the government with strategic and comprehensive information to facilitate challenging decision-making. Collaborating with numerous intelligence services globally, such as the CIA, MI6, and Mossad, RAW actively plans, executes, and exchanges intelligence.

2. Organisation

2.1 structure .

The Prime Minister of India directly oversees RAW through its director. Assisting the director is a deputy director and other senior officers responsible for overseeing various operational units and departments. RAW divides its operational sections based on specialisation and area of competence. The primary divisions of RAW are:

External Intelligence : This section is in charge of compiling and analysing data that originates from sources outside of India.
Technical Support Division : This division seeks to collect and process intelligence through the use of technology. Furthermore, it offers technical assistance to other RAW departments.
Aviation Research Centre : This division manages a fleet of aircraft and conducting aerial surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Joint Intelligence Committee : The Joint Intelligence Committee coordinates all Indian intelligence institutions’.
Operations : The department bears the responsibility of planning and executing covert operations to fulfil India’s national security goals.

Besides these divisions, RAW comprises several other operational units. An example is special teams, a highly competent group of individuals conducting clandestine operations. RAW accepts applications from both military and civilian organisations in India.

In the end, the primary goals of RAW’s operational structure include gathering outside intelligence, carrying out covert activities, and advising the government on matters pertaining to national security. Thus, to safeguard India’s security interests, all of RAW’s sub departments convene and address threats to the country’s issues. [ source ].

2.2 Ranks

There are many types of ranks in RAW, and each rank has its own importance. According to the post, the officer has many responsibilities.

2.2.1 Class I/Group A Officer

1. Secretary/Additional Secretary (R)
2. Joint Secretary
3. Director/Deputy Secretary/Attach

2.2.3 Group A Officer

1. Senior Field Officer
2. Field Officer
3. Sub Area Officer
4. Assistant Field Officer

2.3 Job Profile of RAW Agent

A RAW agent’s duties include keeping tabs on military and political developments in the nations surrounding India. In essence, RAW agents in India have the principal duties and roles outlined below:

1. Gathering foreign intelligence
2. Conducting anti-terrorism operations
3. Advising policymakers in the country
4. Counter-propagation
5. Securing the country’s nuclear program [ source ].

2.4 Recruiting

In India, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) hires personnel from a variety of government agencies, armed forces, intelligence services, police departments, and administrative services, among others. However, this does not imply that these services are the only ones available for choosing in RAW.

It takes a significant amount of professional experience, besides strong educational credentials to become a RAW agent. Joining India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is an extremely tough task. Candidates aspiring to join this esteemed organisation must maintain good physical and mental health to qualify. Additionally, they need to possess a graduating degree from a recognized institution or organisation to be eligible for job opportunities at RAW. The candidate must be proficient in at least one foreign language. Indeed, applicants should be proficient communicators with a keen recall. In addition, the candidates must be younger than 56 years old. In addition, the applicant ought to have over 20 years of service experience, a citizen of India and no criminal history or an active court case. Otherwise, they will not be qualified to work as a RAW agent

2.4.1 RAW Selection

RAW frequently selects talented applicants who have passed the UPSC Civil Services Test and opted to become IPS and IFS officials to serve as RAW officers. Only after completing the foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration does a government servant become eligible for selection in RAW.

The instructors administer a psychological exam and conduct a raw interview at the end of the course. Those that make the shortlist begin a one-year internship at RAW. Appropriate people are recruited by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the Indian civil services, which include the IAS, IPS, IFS, and other related services. Given that, the UPSC Civil Services Test is divided into three phases. UPSC Mains and Personality Test, UPSC Interview, and UPSC Preliminary Examination [ source ].

3.0 RAW Operational Information

3.1 foreign intelligence.

RAW supports numerous significant operations on foreign land with intelligence. It collaborates closely with intelligence agencies in India, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Through both overt and covert missions, the agency gathers military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence. Additionally, it keeps an eye on gangs involved in importing weapons and ammunition into India and terrorist groups. The primary focus of RAW is India’s neighbors. Additionally, RAW also provides Indian officials with gathered information, which they then utilize to modify the country’s foreign and national security policies. [ source ].

3.2 Achievements of RAW

Over the years, the leading foreign intelligence agency in India, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been instrumental in numerous noteworthy accomplishments. Among its notable accomplishments are:

Role in the creation of Bangladesh : Early in the 1970s, RAW played a significant role in supporting the Bangladeshi independence movement against Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. [ source ].
Strategic Intelligence in Kargil War : RAW gave crucial intelligence regarding the opponent’s military coordinates, position, force size, etc. during the 1999 Kargil conflict. This aided the Indian Army in organizing and hitting the military locations of the adversary. [ source ].
Pakistan’s Nuclear Programme : In the 1980s, Pakistan was developing a nuclear program that posed a major threat to the Indian government. RAW was instrumental in providing intelligence about this program, which finally led to Pakistan’s arrest. Other nations put pressure on them to cease their nuclear activities. [ source ].
Surgical Strike : Numerous Indian troops were killed when Pakistan assaulted India’s Uri military camp in 2016. The counterattack was skillfully orchestrated and executed by the Indian Army. The RAW agency supplied details regarding the enemy’s personnel, positions, and other aspects [ source ].
Balakot Airstrike : 2019 saw attacks on Indian Army soldiers in Pulwama. RAW assisted in organizing and carrying out the 2019 Balakot Airstrike as a counterattack. The bombing resulted in the destruction of a terrorist training facility in Pakistan, causing significant damage and deaths. [ source ].
RAW has been instrumental in a number of noteworthy achievements that have significantly impacted India’s national security. It made significant contributions to the Kargil War, the Bangladeshi independence movement, and the discovery of Pakistan’s nuclear program, to name a few. RAW is still needed to conduct clandestine operations, get outside intelligence, and counsel the government on matters pertaining to national security.

4.0 Recent Operations

4.1 ‘the print’ article on raw .

The Delhi High Court denied a request asking the Central Government to order the publication of an article on Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) by the digital news site “The Print” to be blocked. In essence, it stated that publication encompasses both the right to know and elements of press freedom.

The appeal of lawyer Raghav Awasthi to establish norms prohibiting media outlets from publishing any source-based speculation regarding the whereabouts of government officials or diplomats sent overseas was denied by a division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora. employed by an Indian spy agency.

The Print released the contentious piece on 30 November of last year. The article is titled “Nijjar-Pannun effect: RAW closes doors in North America for the first time since founding in 1968.” According to Awasthi, the report jeopardises the careers of the officers it mentions because they are now stigmatised as intelligence officers and therefore cannot serve for any other Indian mission [ source ].

The Government of India keeps the right, under applicable law, to take action against any magazine or to remove any article which, in its opinion, compromises national security. “In the prima facie opinion of this Court, the impugned article does not compromise the career of the officers, or cause any physical harm to the lives of their family members.” It stated that intelligence matters and the relationship between the Indian government and foreign governments should be handled extremely cautiously and that the Central Government does not need any advisory support from Awasthi. [ source ].

4.2 Canadian Sikh Leader’s Killing Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

In the midst of the escalating diplomatic crisis between India and Canada after New Delhi accused him of assassination, the death of a Sikh leader with Canadian citizenship on 18 J2023, close to Vancouver, western Canada, where a large number of Sikhs reside, highlights the growing work of the Indian intelligence agency and its reliance on expanding its network in the West under the rule of Narendra Modi.

The Canadian government announced the expulsion of an Indian diplomat it claimed was engaged in the assassination, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the death of Hardeep Singh Nigar.

Rejecting these charges, New Delhi stated that terrorists and extremists who it said threatened India’s security are given sanctuary in Canada.

According to R. said K. Yadav’s memoirs, India’s foreign intelligence agency “transformed into a bold organization, capable of carrying out its operations across the globe to protect the interests of Indian citizens.” Yadav was an officer in the agency for nearly forty years [ source ].

Canada-India diplomatic tensions worsen over accusations about Sikh leader's murder | South China Morning Post

4.3 Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan

There has been a notable increase in terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The most recent incident was a suicide bombing on 29 September 2022, which targeted a religious gathering in the Mastung area of Balochistan province, southwest Pakistan, during the Prophet’s Mohamed Birthday celebration. The attack claimed the lives of sixty people. Numerous people suffered injuries.

A few hours later, another explosion rocked a mosque during Friday prayers in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwest Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least five people and injuries to twelve others.

Although no one has yet claimed responsibility for the two most recent attacks, Pakistan’s Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti alleges Indian involvement in the Balochistani attack. In Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, he briefed reporters, implicating the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of the Indian Intelligence Agency in the recent terrorist attacks in the Karachi region, located in the south of the country. [ source ].

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) stands as a crucial pillar in India’s intelligence infrastructure, dedicated to providing strategic intelligence crucial for national security decision-making. Moreover, its structured organisational setup, comprising various departments and operational units, underscores its multifaceted approach towards gathering external intelligence and executing covert operations. Notably, RAW’s achievements, spanning from its pivotal role in the creation of Bangladesh to its contributions during conflicts like the Kargil War and operations against terrorism, highlight its significant impact on India’s security landscape.

Recruitment into RAW demands stringent criteria, including educational qualifications, experience, and expertise in foreign languages, thereby ensuring a highly skilled and capable workforce. Furthermore, collaboration with other intelligence agencies and governmental bodies, coupled with its proactive stance in gathering intelligence, serves to strengthen India’s defence and policy-making capabilities.

However, recent events, such as the diplomatic tensions following accusations of RAW involvement in incidents abroad and the escalating terrorist attacks in neighbouring Pakistan , underscore the ongoing challenges and complexities faced by intelligence agencies in maintaining regional stability and safeguarding national interests.

As the geopolitical landscape evolves, RAW’s adaptability and effectiveness in addressing emerging threats while upholding principles of transparency and accountability will remain paramount. Moreover, collaborative efforts, both domestically and internationally, are essential to counteract evolving security challenges effectively. Therefore, RAW’s continued commitment to excellence and innovation will be instrumental in shaping India’s security paradigm in the years to come.

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History of RAW - India’s external intelligence agency

A path-breaking history of india’s covert operations by the fabled research and analysis wing, based on extensive interviews with both serving and former intelligence operatives who share stories of triumphs and tragedies in the realm of spycraft..

Published : May 12, 2022 06:00 IST

“RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations” by Yatish Yadav, Westland Books, 2020.

Did the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) set up a monitoring station in the 1960s, with a plutonium device buried somewhere under the snow and earth on the slopes of the Nanda Devi, to spy on the Chinese? According to Morarji Desai (Prime Minister of India from 1977-1979), the device was “buried in an avalanche and could not be located”. A new device was installed. It “functioned normally for a while but was removed subsequently in 1968 and the equipment was returned to the US”.

What happened to the first device? According to Yatish Yadav, author of RAW : A History of India’s Covert Operations, “[the] Atma Ram panel suggests that new techniques need to be adopted to locate the device. The Committee has also considered the possibility of the device being still intact but lying buried somewhere. It has pointed out that even in this case there is no hazard unless the device is disturbed or disintegrated.”

Sounds apocryphal, like accounts of the Yeti, the “abominable snowman” of the Himalaya? Not quite, if we were to read notes provided by Yatish Yadav in his fascinating book.

The story of the missing plutonium device high up in the Himalaya serves as a perfect metaphor for the perennial lure of spy fiction across cultures and societies.

From Eric Ambler to Ian Fleming and John le Carre, authors of espionage narratives focus on solitary, flamboyant, larger-than-life figures who are pitted against evil predators that threaten nation states and the civilised world order. Such fiction intersects the genres of crime thrillers, adventure narratives and catastrophe fiction. Spy stories thrive in conflict situations on the world stage, and therefore the First World War, the Second World War and the Cold War have given rise to classic spy stories. From Mata Hari to Richard Sorge, from the “Atomic Spy” Klaus Fuchs to “Carlos the Jackal”, and their fictional counterparts in the Cold War era such as the iconic 007, licensed to kill, such characters proliferate the espionage landscape. Once treated as part of the entertainment industry, today spy fiction is serious academic business in leading universities of the world: it reveals deeper subtexts and anxieties in cultural and ideological terms. Spy fiction is more than guns, girls and machismo.

Origins of RAW

Founded in 1968, RAW “began with 200 officers who left the I.B. [Intelligence Bureau] to join the newly created external intelligence agency named in a nondescript manner”. It would function with “glamour and anonymity in unchartered territory”.

Led by the legendary Rameshwar Nath Kao, the first batch of RAW officers joined service in 1971 and soon saw action in the formation of Bangladesh and other hotspots. RAW developed its own cadre even as members of the Indian Police Service (IPS) continued to serve the organisation on deputation. Debates over the two services continue to date. Officers and operatives, as Yatish Yadav explains, learnt to speak one or many languages such as Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Sinhalese, German, Polish and Urdu. By the time of Morarji Desai, RAW had a staff of “more than five thousand on its payroll”. Desai turned out to be inhospitable to RAW and Kao, and K. Sankaran Nair left the organisation. N.F. Suntook took charge and “saved the agency”.

Supporting & opposing the LTTE

In Sri Lanka, RAW propped up the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and had to follow the contradictory path of support and opposition following the dictates of the political masters in Delhi. RAW operative Pawan Arora believes that “launching the IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) in Sri Lanka was a ‘political blunder’”. While the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) gained from the clandestine support by RAW through the supply of aerial photography of LTTE positions, the SLA seemed to have reneged on its assurance and embarked on total annihilation of vast sections of the civilian population, committing war crimes that would bring it notoriety in the United Nations and other international forums. These are issues that are far from over, even as Sri Lanka undergoes a serious economic crisis and turmoil today.

The riveting narrative is assisted by Yatish Yadav’s astute political commentary. His verdict is that “Sri Lanka remains one of the most disastrous espionage operations ever. The political decision to first support the insurgents and subsequently turn the guns against them had little gains for India besides holding on to influence in the neighboring country for a few decades.”

Tales of betrayal

The book also chronicles stories of betrayal. The chapter titled “Hunting the RAW traitor” reveals the sordid career of the RAW agent Rabinder Singh, an ex-Army man who sold national secrets to the CIA for money. A loving father who quoted the Bhagavad Gita to his daughter, Singh led parallel lives and passed on classified information to the foreign power. Although given asylum in the U.S., he was soon forsaken by the CIA and met with an unexplained road accident there. The RAW agent Delta, whom Yatish Yadav spoke to “neither confirmed nor denied” any role the RAW might have played to eliminate the “traitor”.

Yatish Yadav also points out the hurdles, both bureaucratic and political, that have hampered RAW’s functioning. According to older agents, only three Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha Rao, “genuinely appreciated espionage statecraft”.

At the global level, aside from the U.S., RAW has also had its footprints in the Iran-Iraq conflict, in the Russian scene, elections in the U.K., the Nuclear Arms Race, the India-Iran relationship, corruption issues and pillow talks. In the epilogue, Yatish Yadav explores the role and relevance of spy operations and human intelligence in the digital world: “Could data accessed via cyberespionage replace a good spy behind the enemy lines?” Yatish Yadav firmly believes that machines and eyes in the sky cannot replace the human agent. He quotes Chanakya’s words in this context: “A king needs trusted spies not just to steal secrets of his enemies, but also to sow seeds of dissension among the opposition. A fiery spy working undercover can change the destiny of a nation.”

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Intelligence Agencies of India: IB and RAW

Last updated on August 2, 2022 by ClearIAS Team

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is India’s intelligence agency and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is the external intelligence agency. Read here to know more about the agencies.

The National Security of India is a topic of high importance- apart from the defense and paramilitary forces in India, various intelligence and investigation agencies too play their part in ensuring the security of the country.

Two of the important intelligence agencies are IB and RAW. While Intelligence Bureau (IB) is the internal intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is the external intelligence agency.

Table of Contents

Intelligence Bureau (IB) – Internal Intelligence agency

Intelligence Bureau (IB) is India’s intelligence agency which gathers intelligence from within the country and also executes counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism tasks.

It functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is headquartered in New Delhi.

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The IB draws its employees from law enforcement agencies such as the Indian Police Service (IPS), the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and the military.

The IB director is part of the Strategic Policy Group and the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) of the National Security Council, and reports directly to the Prime Minister.

History of IB

Intelligence Bureau was founded in 1887 as Central Special Branch by the British Indian government.

It is reputed to be the oldest such organization in the world.

In 1909, the Indian Political Intelligence Office was established in England in response to the development of Indian revolutionary activities.

By 1921, it came to be called Indian Political Intelligence (IPI) constituting a surveillance and monitoring agency.

It was run jointly by the India Office and the Government of India and maintained close contact with Scotland Yard and MI5.

After Indian independence in 1947, IPI was renamed as the Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Until 1968, it handled both domestic and foreign intelligence after which Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was formed specifically for foreign intelligence.

The establishment of RAW led to IB being primarily assigned the role of domestic intelligence and internal security.

Functions of IB

IB is used to garner intelligence from within India and also execute counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism tasks.

In addition to domestic intelligence responsibilities, the IB is particularly tasked with intelligence collection in border areas.

ll spheres of human activity within India and in the neighborhood are allocated to the charter of duties of the Intelligence Bureau.

Most of the activities of the IB are classified hence less information is available about its functioning and missions.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) – External Intelligence agency

The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) is the foreign intelligence agency of India.

The agency’s primary function is gathering foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, advising Indian policymakers, and advancing India’s foreign strategic interests.

The head of RAW is designated as the Secretary (Research) in the Cabinet Secretariat and is under the authority of the Prime Minister of India without parliamentary oversight.

On an administrative basis, the Director of RAW reports to the Cabinet Secretary, who reports to the Prime Minister.

History of RAW

Foreign intelligence was initially handled by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). But the intelligence failure in the Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965 , the need for a separate external intelligence agency was realized.

In 1968, India’s first foreign intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing was established.

Other child agencies such as the Radio Research Center and the Electronics & Tech. Services were added to R&AW in the 1970s and 1990s.

In 1971, the Government set up the Aviation Research Centre (ARC). The ARC’s job was aerial reconnaissance. It replaced the Indian Air Force’s old reconnaissance aircraft.

In 2004 Government of India added yet another signal intelligence agency called the National Technical Facilities Organisation (NTFO), which was later renamed as National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).

Objectives of RAW

Monitoring the political, military, economic, and scientific developments in countries that have a direct bearing on India’s national security and the formulation of its foreign policy.
Molding international public opinion and influencing foreign governments.
Covert Operations to safeguard India’s National interests.
Anti-terror operations and neutralizing elements pose a threat to India.
Monitors the political and military development in the neighboring countries, which have a direct bearing on India’s national security and in the genesis of its foreign policy.

Activities of RAW

RAW was instrumental during the Bangladesh liberation war of 1971 and was responsible for supplying information, providing training, and heavy ammunition to Mukti Bahini.

RAW has trained intelligence officers of many independent African countries. It has also assisted in the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and Namibia.

RAW also provided intelligence for Operation Cactus for quelling the insurgency in the Maldives in 1988.

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June 12, 2023 at 8:11 pm

It is exilent for the safety of the nation and provides the exact information to the government. I am a huge fan of this agencies and want to join this but in my initial studies I do not know about it but I want to do something for my nation.

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Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India: History, Purpose & Challenges

From its inception, RAW embraced unconventional methods, often relying on deception, misinformation, and audacious covert operations to achieve its objectives.

Moto: controversial, multifaceted mandate: safeguarding india’s interests, disintegration of pakistan, ravindra kaushik, afghanistan, controlling kashmir insurgency, challenges and controversy of shadows, future imperatives: adapting to a changing world, conclusion: silent guardian stands watch.

In the realm of international espionage, shrouded in secrecy and whispered legends, operates India’s enigmatic intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Established in 1968, RAW stands as a sentinel,safeguarding the nation’s security through meticulous intelligence gathering, daring covert operations, and unwavering counter-terrorism efforts.

To delve into the world of RAW is to embark on a thrilling journey through the shadows, where unseen hands shape global events and national destinies hang in the balance.

Genesis of RAW: Brahmanical Imprint?

Foreign intelligence failure during the 1962 Sino-Indian War led then-Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to order a dedicated foreign intelligence agency to be established.

However Nehru died in 1964 and later Indira Gandhi (Nehru’s daughter) government decided to create a full-fledged intelligence agency based on the blueprint submitted by Rameshwar Nath Kao, then a deputy director of the Intelligence Bureau. Kao was subsequently also appointed as the first chief of RAW.

RN Kao was born in Varanasi on 10 May 1918 to a Kashmiri Brahmin family who migrated from Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir. He was brought up by his uncle Pandit Trilokinath Kao. From 1989, Kao dedicated his time largely to the task of restoring the dignity and honour of the Kashmiri Pandits .

The Motto of RAW is Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah a Sanskrit phrase from Manusmriti which means “ Dharma protect those who protect it ”. Does it mean that the purpose of RAW is to protect the Dharma (birth based occupational duties determined by the Caste or Varna System) as envisioned in Manusmriti and other Brahmanical scriptures like Bhagavad Gita .

For the unversed, Manusmriti is a controversial Brahmanical book symbolically burnt by BR Ambedkar , the architect of India’s constitution to liberate vast majority of Bahujan classes (OBCs, SCs & STs) from Brahmanical oppressions.

With respect to this Dharma, Bhagavad Gita in chapter 3 verse 35 says that one should rather die discharging their prescribed Dharma (caste determined duties) faultly, than discharging other’s prescribed duties perfectly as it has extremely dangerous consequences.

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् | स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: || 3:35||

It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty, though tinged with faults, than to perform another’s prescribed duty, though perfectly. In fact, it is preferable to die in the discharge of one’s duty, than to discharge other’s prescribed duties as it has extremely dangerous consequences. 3:35

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् | स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् || 18:47||

It is better to do one’s own prescribed occupational duties, even though imperfectly, than to do another’s prescribed occupational duties, even though perfectly. By doing one’s innate duties, a person does not incur sin. 18:47

There are certain other elite Brahminical ideas that makes it extremely dangerous for human fraternity and equality. These include philosophies like-

Aham Brahmasmi (I am God): Through this elite and Brahmanical classes justify all they do thinking themselves to be God leading to a system devoid of any remorse, responsibility and accountability. Perhaps, this is the reason they never apologised for the caste atrocities.
Sam Daam Dand Bhed (Lets prevail over others by any hook or crook): Interestingly, mighty empires and dynasts based on this philosophy still crumbled as Holy Quran says “ They plan and plot and God also plans and the God is the best amongst planners ”.
Advaita Vedanta (Creator and Creation are one and same): This legalizes idol worship , ritualism, etc as a wholesale religious cooperative with Brahmins at the helm; also prevents unity and liberation of masses engulfed in endless religious jargon and superstitions.

All of the above is well reflected in working styles of RAW which since its inception embraced unconventional methods, often relying on deception, misinformation, targeted killings & assassinations and audacious covert operations to achieve its objectives.

According to noted constitutional law scholar Rajeev Bhargava “It [Brahmanism] is a sociopolitical ideology that encodes a memory of an ideal past and a vision of society in the future, one in which Brahmins occupy the highest place not only as exclusive guardians of a higher, spiritual realm but also as sole providers of wisdom on virtually every practical issue of this world. They possess superior knowledge of what a well-ordered society is and how a good state must be run. More importantly, their superior position in society and their superior knowledge stems from birth. This makes them naturally, intrinsically superior to all other humans, so superior that they form a separate species ( jati ) altogether. Nothing can challenge or alter this fact. No one becomes a Brahmin, but is born so. This sociopolitical ideology makes hierarchy necessary, rigid and irreversible. Brahmanism then is the most perfect form of conservatism, a status-quoist ideology par excellence, entirely suitable to elites who wish to perpetuate their social status, power and privilege. Paradoxically, this is the also the reason why it spread everywhere in India and beyond and why it endures: regardless of your religio-philosphical world view, if you are a privileged elite, you would find this ideology irresistible.”

وَمَكَرُوْا وَمَكَرَ اللّٰهُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَیْرُ الْمٰكِرِیْنَ And they plan. God also has planned and God is the best of planners. Holy Quran 3:54

RAW’s primary functions encompass a vast spectrum. Gathering foreign intelligence on matters concerning national security, thwarting and infiltrating terrorist networks, and safeguarding India’s strategic interests abroad are at the core of its mandate.

The agency’s tentacles reach far and wide, from monitoring foreign governments and militant groups to conducting covert operations to disrupt potential threats before they materialize.

R&AW maintains active liaison with other agencies and services in various countries. Those agencies include SVR of Russia, Afghanistan’s NDS, Israel’s Mossad, Germany’s BND, the CIA and MI6 have been well-known, a common interest being Pakistan’s nuclear programme

A Legacy of Triumph: RAW’s Pivotal Moments

One of RAW’s most celebrated successes lies in its crucial role during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

Through covert operations and tactical support to Mukti Bahini rebels, RAW played a pivotal role in dismantling Pakistan’s Eastern wing and paving the way for Bangladesh’s independence. This operation cemented RAW’s reputation as a formidable force in the world of international espionage.

R&AW’s most successful spy Ravindra Kaushik spied in Pakistan in the 1970s. Ravindra Kaushik was born in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan on 11 April 1952 in Brahmin family. His father, JM Kaushik, was an Indian Air Force officer.

Kaushik was trained in Delhi for two years to be an undercover Operative in Pakistan. He was also trained to live life as a Muslim and was taught the Urdu language.

Kaushik converted to Islam, underwent circumcision and was given the cover name “Nabi Ahmed Shakir”.

After successfully getting admission in Karachi University, he completed his LL.B. After his graduation, joined Pakistan Army as a commissioned officer and was eventually promoted to the rank of major. He married a local girl named Amaanat and fathered a boy, who died in 2012–2013.

From 1979 to 1983, Kaushik worked as a Pakistani army officer, sending valuable information to India’s R&AW. He was given the title of ‘Black Tiger’ by the Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi.

However, in September 1983, Kaushik was caught & captured by ISI and tortured for two years at an interrogation center in Sialkot. He was sentenced to death in 1985; his sentence was later commuted to a life term by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

He managed to secretly send letters to his family in India, which revealed his poor health and the trauma he faced in Pakistani jails. In one of his letters, he wrote:

Kya Bharat jaise bade desh ke liye kurbani dene waalon ko yahi milta hai?” (Is this what people who sacrifice their lives for a big country like India get?)

In November 2001, he died of pulmonary tuberculosis and heart disease in Central Jail Mianwali in Pakistan. According to Ravindra’s family, the Indian government had refused to recognise him and had made no effort to help him.

During the Soviet War in Afghanistan, R&AW had recruited three powerful warlords, including Ahmad Shah Massoud.

In 1996, R&AW had built a 25-bed military hospital at the Farkhor Air Base. This airbase was used by the Aviation Research Centre, the reconnaissance arm of R&AW, to repair and operate the Northern Alliance’s aerial support. This relationship was further cemented in the 2001 Afghan war.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, R&AW provided the intelligence to western countries that there were over 120 training camps operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, run by a variety of militant groups .

On 15 June 2023, Avtar Singh Khanda, the UK-based chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) was suddenly admitted to the hospital with a case of blood cancer, and later died. His followers in the UK believe that Indian intelligence had him poisoned and are demanding the full medical report.

On 19 June 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar , a prominent Khalistani leader and alleged chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force was shot to death outside the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

This was heavily seen as an R&AW assassination operation by not only followers of Nijjar, but also from Canadian officials.

On 18 September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally accused the Indian government of the killing and acknowledged the expulsion of a prominent Indian diplomat responsible for R&AW activities in the country.

Operation Chanakya also marked the creation of pro-Indian groups in Kashmir like the Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen, Muslim Mujahideen etc.

These counter-insurgencies consist of ex-militants and relatives of those slain in the conflict. Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen leader Kokka Parrey was himself assassinated by separatists.

In 1998, Mirza Dilshad Beg, a Nepalese parliamentarian and an ISI informant was assassinated by R&AW.

Assassination of Raju Pargai & Amit Arya was shot in 2011, who was running Mirza Dilshad Beg entire network in Uttarakhand.

In 2015, it was allegedly reported by the Sri Lankan newspaper The Sunday Times, that R&AW had played a role in uniting the opposition, to bring about the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa . There had been growing concern in the Indian government, on the increasing influence of economic and military rival China in Sri Lankan affairs.

From its inception R&AW has been criticised for being an agency not answerable to the people of India (R&AW reports to Prime Minister only) . Fears arose that it could turn into the KGB of India.

The main controversy which has plagued R&AW in recent years is over bureaucratisation of the system with allegations about favouritism in promotions, corruption, ego clashes, no financial accountability, inter-departmental rivalry, etc .

Noted security analyst and former Additional Secretary B. Raman has criticised the agency for its asymmetric growth; “ while being strong in its capability for covert action it is weak in its capability for intelligence collection, analysis and assessment. Strong in low and medium-grade intelligence, weak in high-grade intelligence. Strong in technical intelligence, weak in human intelligence . Strong in collation, weak in analysis. Strong in investigation, weak in prevention. Strong in crisis management, weak in crisis prevention. “

Over the years, RAW has faced numerous challenges, navigating the treacherous terrain of Cold War politics, tackling the rise of global terrorism, and countering internal threats. From the hijacking of IC-814 in 1999 to the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008, RAW has been at the forefront of India’s response to these crises, often operating under immense pressure and public scrutiny.

Despite its successes, RAW remains shrouded in an aura of mystery . Its operations are rarely acknowledged, and its agents operate under assumed identities, their sacrifices often unsung .

The veil of secrecy surrounding the agency is both necessary and controversial. While it allows RAW to operate with impunity and effectiveness, it also fuels speculation and accusations of human rights violations and illegal activities.

However, one aspect of RAW’s operations remains undeniable: its unwavering commitment to India’s national security.

From its role in securing India’s nuclear program to its covert operations against terrorist networks, RAW has played a crucial role in shaping India’s position on the global stage.

Looking ahead, RAW faces new challenges in the form of cyber warfare, rising regional tensions, and the ever-evolving landscape of global terrorism.

The agency must adapt its methods, embrace technological advancements, and continue to recruit and train the best minds in the country to safeguard India’s future.

The Research and Analysis Wing stands as a testament to India’s resolve and strategic prowess.

As the world grapples with an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, RAW’s role as India’s silent guardian becomes even more vital.

While its operations may remain shrouded in secrecy, its impact on India’s national security is undeniable.

The veiled eye of RAW continues to watch, ensuring that India stands tall amidst the shadows of the international stage.

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American bison (Bison bison) also known as buffalo or plains buffalo on the prairie, western U.S.

Research and Analysis Wing

Learn about this topic in these articles:, intelligence operations.

…is a civilian service, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The RAW’s operations are for the most part confined to the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The RAW also has directed efforts in the United States aimed at influencing that government’s foreign policy.

How Bollywood has indulged subtle propagation of Islamist agenda and whitewashing under the garb of ‘creative freedom’

‘fake gathering of legislators’, prominent baloch leader resigns from pakistan national assembly amid purge of common baloch, ministry of home affairs seeks sc action against west bengal for willful non-cooperation with cisf at r.g. kar medical college and hospital, indian company to complete arghandi substation project in afghanistan, afghanistan: targeted attack on attorney general’s office in kabul, 6 killed, a war in shadows: the ‘covert operations’ of the research and analysis wing (raw).

India, due to the changing geopolitics, is perpetually at a war in the shadows; thus, peace here is an illusion. As the soldiers in uniform, guard our borders, on all three fronts: Water, Air and Land; A group of highly trained and motivated soldiers patrol the globe under disguise and code names, to gather information, activate sleeper spies and double agents, set honey traps, and bribe the informants – all for protecting our beloved country, India.

These unseen, unsung heroes are the spies of India’s formidable spy agency: ‘Research and Analysis Wing’ (RAW). Theoretically, RAW is India’s external intelligence agency, placed to uncover sinister plans against the nation and to eliminate the traitors at great personal risk but practically, its operational reach and remit are unlimited, the agency has a massive budget. The RAW was intentionally established as a ‘wing’ to bypass the agency reporting requirements to Parliament and thus is also exempted from the Right to Information Act of 2005.

Working undercover across the globe, the contacts and the chase; Working with India’s premier intelligence agency is such an Adrenaline pumping occupation. Let’s explore this Intelligence unit inside-out, through its genesis, covert operations and see if it’s worth it all.

‘Declassified’ RAW Operations: A truly epic tale to tell

Operation Smiling Buddha

Smiling Buddha, the code name which was chosen for India’s first nuclear programme designated as Pokhran-1 in May 1974, under the leadership of Indira Gandhi. At a first, RAW was getting involved in a project inside India. The task was to keep the entire operation under wraps from the CIA.

Finally, on May 18th, India successfully tested the 15-kiloton of plutonium device at Pokhran and became a member of the elite group of nuclear-ready nations. With this feat, outside the five permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members, India became the first country to conduct a nuclear test. The operation was carried out without any critical hindrance and with such precision that the intelligence agencies across globe were taken by surprise.

After the test, Dr Raja Ramanna (the then director of India’s premier nuclear research institute Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) called the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and told her, “The Buddha has smiled”.

Operation Kahuta

RAW got to know about Pakistan’s nuclear programmes at Khan Research Laboratories in a small town called Kahuta, which also is was an emerging centre of its long-range missile development, in the Rawalpindi district.

By analysing the hair samples from the barber shops nearby, RAW figured out the isntallation of gas centrifuge enrichment technology to produce Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU). RAW started operation Kahuta to infiltrate Pakistan’s nuclear energy installations, and this could have been a huge success on intelligence front but it went horribly wrong.

It is said that once during a telephonic conversation, Morarji Desai informed the then Pakistan President, Zia-ul-Haq, that India was aware of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. According to reports, acting on this “tip-off”, the Pakistani intelligence managed to track and kill all of RAW’s officers and sources in Kahuta, leaving India in the dark about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program from then on.

Curbing the Khalistan Movement

Backed by the ISI, the Khalistani militancy reached its peak in the mid-80s. RAW set up two covert task forces to counter the militants in Punjab. RAW managed to flush out Khalistani militants from the streets of Punjab, and also destabilised several major cities in Pakistan, eventually forcing ISI to retreat.

Operation Meghdoot

Operation Meghdoot, the code name for the Indian Armed Forces’ operation launched to seize control of the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir. It is a perfect example of how keeping one’s eyes and ears open can save a lot for your nation.

Executed on the morning of 13 April 1984, on the highest battlefield in the world, Operation Meghdoot pre-empted Pakistan’s impending Operation Ababeel (intended to achieve the same objective) and was a success, resulting in Indian forces gaining control of the Siachen Glacier in its entirety. The tip off came to RAW from a London-based garment company that informed them that Pakistan too had bought similar Arctic weather gear which they had earlier supplied to the Indian troops for the Northern Ladakh region.

Operation Chanakya

During the peak of the Kashmir violence, RAW was assigned the task of infiltrating the Kashmiri separatist groups backed by ISI and restoring peace in the beautiful Kashmir valley.

RAW successfully managed to infiltrate in the area and gather evidence of ISI’s involvement in the funding and training of Kashmiri separatist groups. Operation Chanakya also marked the creation of pro-Indian groups in Kashmir like the Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen, Muslim Mujahideen etc. which later helped in infiltrating and neutralising the militancy in the Kashmir valley.

Operation Cactus

Operation Cactus, the codename given to the intervention of India to defeat the 1988 Maldives coup d’état attempt when around 200 Tamil rebels invaded the Maldives to overthrow the Government. The Indian Armed Forces, at the request of the Maldives’ President, with RAW’s assistance, launched a military campaign to clean out the mercenaries. Paratroopers were lifted from Agra to the Maldives by the Indian Air Force. A precise operation was carried out by all three forces and RAW, and they helped restore the government’s rule in the island nation within hours.

Operation Leech

One of the most unheard of but also the most controversial intelligence operation put out was Operation Leech. Operation Leech is the name given to an armed operation on the Indo-Burmese border in 1998.

Myanmar has always been a tricky area for Indian intelligence. As per the report, India wanted to establish a stable government. RAW established pro-democracy parties like the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). But, relations with KIA turned sour and RAW initiated Operation Leech. The mission was to assassinate the rebel leaders. In 1998, six top rebel leaders were shot dead and 34 Arakanese guerrillas were arrested on the account of gun-running in the country.

Snatch Ops for the Intelligence Bureau on Foreign Land

RAW has also been carrying out snatch ops. RAW officers, on input from agencies in India, bypass a lengthy extradition process by catching the suspect in a foreign country and getting them into the country for interrogation in undisclosed locations.

In over a decade, RAW has taken up more than 400 such operations. Some famous terrorists nabbed are Yasin Bhatkal founder leader of the proscribed terrorist organisation Indian Mujahideen; Lashkar militants Tariq Mehmood and Abdul Karim Tunda; Bhupinder Singh of the Khalistan Commando Force; Sheikh Abdul Khwaja, one of the handlers of the 2008 Mumbai attacks among others.

Amalgamation of Sikkim into India

Sikkim, bordered by the Indian state of West Bengal and India’s neighbours, Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan in the Eastern Himalayas was a Monarchy. After India’s Independence in 1947, Sikkim became a protectorate under India, which controlled its defence, external affairs, diplomacy and communications.

In 1972, Indira Gandhi authorised RAW to install a pro-Indian democratic government there. RAW did wonders. After widespread demonstration and rioting against the Monarchy in Sikkim, in 1975 a referendum was held in which 97.5% of the electorate (in a nation where 59% of the population could vote) voted to join the Indian Union. And, in less than three years after RAW initiated its operation, on April 26, 1975, Sikkim became the 22nd State of the Indian Union.

War of 1971 and the birth of Bangladesh

RAW played a crucial role in the creation of Bangladesh. RAW is credited with training, supplying ammunition and intelligence inputs to the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi Guerilla Organisation) of Bangladesh. Nearly 10 Million refugees fled to India in the aftermath of Pakistan’s military crackdown in the then East Pakistan. Special Frontier Force (the paramilitary wing of RAW) actively participated in military operations along the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

One failed mission amidst this was preventing the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which RAW claimed that its input was ignored by the leader and later he was killed along with 40 other members of his family. But, the they successfully thwarted the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina (the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh).

Operation Sri Lanka

RAW played a double game in Sri Lanka wherein it helped the Sri Lankan Army to destroy the ‘Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’ (LTTE) while protecting Indian assets against President Rajapaksa’s hitmen and the Tigers.

Later, the Indian govt took a principled decision by supporting the Sri Lankan army’s offensive over LTTE because the entire international community had outrage over the LTTE’s string of suicide bombings. Between 2007 and 2009, when Sri Lanka declared complete victory over the LTTE, it was R&AW which transferred the satellite imagery evidence of all the Tigers’ camps in the eastern and northern provinces to the Sri Lankan military.

Operation Satori

There is no documented evidence of this Operation, nor do any declassified files exist but RAW did conduct this operation in Sri Lanka with the help of a ‘mysterious’ maid named Sundari, a Sinhalese-speaking Tamil woman who worked to evacuate the RAW officials and secrets from Sri Lanka after they were brought to the notice of president Gotabaya Rajapaksa spies’.

RAW had the confirmed report that the Chinese were secretly providing arms and ammunition to the Sri Lankan army during the civil war and going to invest more than $2 billion in Sri Lanka.

Operation Hornet

Operation Hornet was launched by RAW in two cities; Paris and London simultaneously, to neutralize the UK-based Abdul Khan, a Pakistani national, who was planning attacks in India with the intervention of ISI and some Indian-Sikh businessmen based in the UK namely, Avtaar Sethi, Harbakhsh Singh, BN Sandhu, and Harpreet Ahuja in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star of 1984.

This one operation had every element of a blockbuster Spy movie; Honey trap, Greediness, Phone tapping, Psy-Ops, Recruiting the Mole, Surveillance, Breaking of the Terror Funding, the Chase and finally Knockout. Sanjeev Jindal, the Indian RAW agent, along with foreign informer and operatives Clarke and Sophie, laid the trap, and Khan was shot dead.

Concluding Remarks and References

RAW, apart from these, took several other intelligence operations to safeguard India’s interests. War in Fiji, and Shadowy War in Washington to hunt traitors are some of the other disclosed operations carried out by RAW, the details of which can be found in the Books;

‘RAW: A history of India’s covert operations’ by Yatish Yadav
‘India’s External Intelligence: Secrets of R&AW’ by Major General VK Singh
‘RN Kao: Gentleman Spymaster’ by Nitin A Gokhale
‘The War that made RAW’ by Anushka Nandkumar and Sandeep Saket
‘Spy Stories – Inside the secret world of the RAW and ISI’ by Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott-Clark

As the first line of defence against overseas threats, the agency continues to provide intelligence to the prime minister and various security agencies, speaking truth to power. At the same time, the intelligence agency requires a clear political direction with zero interference if it is to maintain its neutrality, speed and efficiency.

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IC 814 hijack, indecision, and 'goof-ups': Former RAW chief on what went wrong

Speaking to india today tv, as dulat, the former chief of research and analysis wing (raw), admitted that there were "goof-ups" when it came to decision-making and the hijacked ic 814 plane shouldn't have been allowed to leave amritsar..

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Netflix series on IC 814 hijacking stirs controversy
Ex-RAW chief AS Dulat admits decision-making 'goof-ups'
Dulat says ISI definitely had a role in hijacking

The 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, IC 814, has become a centre of controversy lately after the release of a mini-series on Netflix. The series has reignited debate on a number of issues, including the handling of the situation by the government and different agencies involved.

Speaking to India Today TV, AS Dulat, who was the chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in 1999, admitted that there were "goof-ups" when it came to decision-making.

"Once the plane landed in Amritsar, we had an opportunity to make sure that it didn't leave Indian territory. But when it left Amritsar, there was no other option but to make a deal. We did the best possible deal with the best possible negotiators," Dulat said.

Flight IC 814 of Indian Airlines, bound from Kathmandu to Delhi, was hijacked by five terrorists as soon as it entered Indian airspace on December 24, 1999. The plane landed in Amritsar for refuelling and was stationed for 50 minutes. Despite this, the authorities, including Punjab Police and central intel forces, could not capture the advantage.

"We were all there and should have taken a call. I don't want to name-blame; after so many years, it is not fair. I am also to blame as much as anybody else," said Dulat.

The former RAW chief talked about his long chat with then Director General of Police (DGP) for Punjab Sarabjit Singh over the hijack situation.

"I had a long chat with the Punjab DGP who told me that he was not KPS Gill, and he was not going to put his job on the line. He said the Chief Minister (Parkash Singh Badal) told him that he didn't want bloodshed in Amritsar. Even Delhi was indicating the same thing. The DGP said they could storm the plane, but they didn't know how many casualties could happen. So in the name of bloodshed, nobody wanted to take a call," he said.

Dulat said that the Punjab Police needed to be told that the aircraft should not leave Amritsar, which did not happen.

Interestingly, DGP Sarabjit Singh had said, on record, that he would have taken a decision if he had got clear instructions from Delhi.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW): India’s espionage agency completes 53 years in service to the nation

Image: PBNS

India’s premier intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) observed its its 54th foundation day on September 21. Established in 1968 to handle the nation’s international intelligence affairs, RAW came into force after the China-India War in 1962. At present, the intelligence arm operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Since its inception, RAW is credited with providing intelligence support to various significant operations on foreign soil. Working closely with India’s intelligence organizations, RAW works in cooperation with the Intelligence Bureau or other Indian intelligence agencies. This delineates RAW’s true analytic capabilities and its overall relevance to the protection of India’s interests.

Genesis of RAW

Until 1968, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was responsible for India’s internal intelligence, and also handled external intelligence. However, after the 1962 China-India war and Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, India established a separate and distinct external intelligence organization – the Research and Analysis Wing.

In 1968, then India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appointed R. N. Kao as the first director of RAW. Started with 250 employees and a budget of $405,600, RAW undertook two major missions:

– To maintain awareness about the military and political activities in the neighboring countries, primarily China and Pakistan

– Promote the control of military equipment supplies into Pakistan

Under the leadership of R. N. Kao (from 1968 to 1977), RAW provided intelligence support, which resulted in India’s successful operations which included the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, the defeat of Pakistan during the Kargil conflict of 1971, the accession of Sikkim in 1975, and the increase of India’s support to Afghanistan.

With the intelligence agency’s successes, RAW quickly grew in both personnel and financing. By the mid-1970s, as a report, RAW’s budget rose to $6.1 million and its workforce increased to several thousand.

Furthermore, as per R. N. Kao’s suggestion, the Indian government established the Aviation Research Center (ARC) to provide aerial reconnaissance of neighboring countries. This capability allowed RAW to better prepare for impending conflict by obtaining overhead images of installations and activities along with India’s international borders.

Many books have been written on R.N. Kao’s life and his style of work

Several books have also been written on R. N. Kao’s life and style, including R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster, The Kaoboys of R&AW, Raw-Indian Detective Saga, A Life in Secret, and Escape to nowhere.

The working mechanism of RAW

The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations. The agency is also charged with monitoring terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.

RAW primarily focuses on India’s neighbors. The collected inputs by RAW also help Indian officials, which are further used in national security policy and revise the foreign policy.

Attached Bodies or Autonomous Bodies

The Aerial Reconnaissance Centre (ARC) collects high-quality overhead imagery of activities and installations in neighboring countries.

Special Frontier Force

The inspector general of a paramilitary force of India, the Special Frontier Force reports to the director-general of security for RAW. While the force has functions independent of RAW, it is often fielded to support covert and overt RAW missions.

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Research and Analysis Wing

Recently, India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) completed 53 years in service to the nation.
Established in 1968, to handle the nation’s international intelligence affairs, RAW came into force after the China-India War in 1962.
At present, the intelligence arm operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office.
RAW provides intelligence support to various significant operations on foreign soil.
RAW works in cooperation with the Intelligence Bureau or other Indian intelligence agencies.
After the 1962 China-India war and Indo-Pakistani war in 1965 , India established a separate and distinct external intelligence organization – the Research and Analysis Wing.
creation of Bangladesh in 1971,
the defeat of Pakistan during the Kargil conflict of 1971,
the accession of Sikkim in 1975,
and the increase of India’s support to Afghanistan.

Working mechanism of RAW

RAW collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations.
It also monitors terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.
It primarily focuses on India’s neighbours. The collected inputs by RAW also help Indian officials, which are further used in national security policy and revise the foreign policy.

Attached Bodies

The Aerial Reconnaissance Centre (ARC) collects high-quality overhead imagery of activities and installations in neighbouring countries.
Special Frontier Force:

Source: AIR

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11 Facts About The India's Research And Analysis Wing (RAW) That Are Unknown To Most Of Us

It must be quite an adrenaline pumping occupation, working for the Research & Analysis Wing or RAW. Undercover operations, being sent to different countries all across the planet, the cool gadgets, the wine, the women. Not to forget, the chase. But do you know how much of it actually holds true? Do movies like the Bourne series, the Mission Impossible series, or the iconic James Bond actually depict intelligence agencies accurately? These facts on RAW, will help us find out.

1. RAW’s motto is ‘धर्मो रक्षति रक्षित:’, which basically translates to he who does not observe Dharma is destroyed, while he who follows it meticulously is protected. Dharma, in this context, stands for the nation.

graemeshimmin.com

2. RAW came into being on September 21st, 1968, after the Sino-Indian war of 1962 and the India-Pakistan war of 1965, which exposed gaps in intelligence gathering undertaken by the Intelligence Bureau (which, until then, handled both domestic and foreign intelligence). Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and her government, felt the need for an agency that would raise an alarm, and protect India before it went to war, or was hit by a terror attack. This agency would counter, or tackle them with whatever step they deemed necessary. RAW's first director was Rameshwar Nath Kao.

2.bp.blogspot.com

3. RAW officials are sent to various places across the country and the world for rigorous training, including countries like United States, United Kingdom and Israel. Trainees receive an exhaustive training in the art of self-defence, mainly Krav Maga, and the use of technical espionage devices.

kravmagaindia.in

4. In 1984, in a very important call to the Indian military, RAW informed that Pakistan's operation 'Ababeel' was planning to capture the Saltoro ridge in Siachen. Thanks to the timely tip, the Indian army was able to launch operation 'Meghdoot', which forced the Pakistan army to retreat even before they could enter the territory.

postimg.org

5. Initially, RAW used to hire people only from IB (Intelligence Bureau), Indian police services, and Indian military or revenue departments. However, being recruited in the Research and Analysis Wing now is comparatively a lot simpler than before. They have even started picking up students from universities. One incredible story was of Ravinder Kaushik, India's biggest mole in Pakistan.

6. RAW was successful in tapping the telephonic conversation that took place between then Pakistan army chief, Parvez Musharraf, and his chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Aziz, which confirmed Pakistan’s involvement in the Kargil incursion.

7. RAW, at any given point of time, is not answerable to the parliament of India on any issue. This same provision keeps it out of reach of the Right To Information (RTI) act.

8. In fact, RAW is only answerable to the Prime Minister of the country, and the Joint Intelligence Committee. The head of RAW is called the "Secretary"(research) in the cabinet secretariat. The current chief of RAW is Rajinder Khanna.

northindiatimes.com

9. Training for RAW generally lasts for a couple of years. There's a basic training, and there's an advanced training.

The basic training generally lasts no longer than 10 days where the trainees are familiarised with the real world of intelligence and espionage (all that the movies tell us is absolute bull). Financial and economic analysis, space technology, information security, energy security and scientific knowledge is given to the trainees. The recruit is made to specialise in a foreign language and are introduced to geo strategic analysis. Case studies of other agencies like CIA, KGB, ISI, Mossad and MI6 are presented for study. The inductee is also taught that intelligence organisations do not identify who is a friend and who is a foe; the country's foreign policy does.

After completing 'Basic Training', the recruit is sent to a Field Intelligence Bureau (FIB). His/her training here lasts for 1–2 years where they are given given firsthand experience of what it was to be out in the figurative cold, conducting clandestine operations. During night exercises under realistic conditions, he/she is taught infiltration and ex-filtration. They are also taught how to avoid capture and if caught, how to face interrogation. He/she learns the art of reconnoitre, making contacts, and the numerous skills of operating an intelligence mission. At the end of the field training, the new recruit is brought back to the school for final polishing.

10. RAW once beat ISI at their own game.

An Indian agent of RAW, Hashum Qureshi in Srinagar was working in league with the BSF. In Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist organisation, launched the Al-Fatah organisation for liberation of J&K from India. 36 of these members were arrested by J&K Police with the help of Indian Intelligence Agencies. In order to get more inside information, RAW decided to infiltrate Qureshi into this organization as he was well aware of the terrain of POK.

But he was won over by the Pakistani Intelligence, the ISI. There, he was given training to hijack a plane by a former Pakistani pilot. When he was sent back to India, the BSF arrested him and he cracked upon interrogation. The plan was to hijack the plane which would be piloted by Rajiv Gandhi, son of Mrs. Indira Gandhi then Prime Minister of India. When this startling disclosure was reported to the head of BSF and RAW, India decided to beat Pakistan at their own game!

RAW and BSF persuaded Qureshi to work for them in order to save him from execution by the Indian authorities. According to the plan, Qureshi would hijack an Indian Airlines aircraft flying from Srinagar to Lahore. In return, he would demand the release of 36 members of the Al-Fatah who were in jail in India. A Fokker Friendship aircraft, Ganga, which was retired from Indian Airlines was inducted for this operation. The plane was hijacked and he was allowed a toy pistol and a fake grenade inside the plane. Pakistani authorities at Lahore allowed the plane to land when there were informed that it had been hijacked by National Liberation Front of POK. All India Radio soon made the broadcast of this hijack. The whole world, by now, was informed that the Pakistani government was behind this hijack. He demanded (as planned) the release of 36 Al-Fatah members in the custody of India, which India declined. Qureshi was given political asylum and hailed as a freedom fighter in Pakistan. He spoke to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Later the passengers of the plane came by road to India and the plane was burned by Pakistan.

Why did India execute this operation?

The Indian government banned all the flights of Pakistan flying over our territory and it exposed that Pakistani state openly and actively supporting terrorists. Pakistan was trying to curb the civil unrest in East Pakistan by using civil flights to send resources. The shortest air route between east and west Pakistan was from Indian Air Space. Any other air route without using India air space was at least 3 times longer and time/fuel consuming. Pakistan had to go around India, via Sri Lanka. The hijacking greatly slowed down the arrival of Pakistani Army through air. This was a master stroke by RAW during the 1971 war for liberation of Bangladesh by India.

airport-data.com

11. Amalgamation of Sikkim

Bordered by Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and West Bengal in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim was ruled by a Maharaja right from Indian Independence. The Indian Government had recognised the title of Chogyal (Dharma Raja) for the Maharaja of Sikkim. In 1972, RAW was authorised by Indira Gandhi to install a pro-Indian democratic government there. In less than three years, Sikkim became the 22nd State of the Indian Union, on April 26, 1975. Kazi Lhendup Dorjee Khangsarpa was the first democratic chief minister of Sikkim.

1.bp.blogspot.com

Most of the information has been taken from this Quora thread.

Football, films and food are the three words to describe Rishabh. A complete movie and sitcom buff, he can spend days in front of the television watching his favourite films, TV shows and the greatest football team in the world - Chelsea. He doesn't believe in getting out of bed unless he absolutely has to. Much like his face, he likes to write on everything funny, obscure, and nonsensical the world has to offer. He believes travelling is the best way to learn anything, and can happily play FIFA all night long.  A creature of the night, Rishabh is also a firm believer that the solution to all life’s problems is Batman

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How To Join RAW India (Research And Analysis Wing)

February 28, 2024
183 Comments

Have you ever wondered how to join RAW and become part of India’s elite external intelligence agency? The Research and Analysis Wing, commonly referred to by its acronym RAW, stands as the forefront of ensuring national security, engaging in critical operations that safeguard India from external threats. Since its inception in 1968, RAW has evolved to become a pivotal player in India’s strategic interests, handling tasks that range from gathering political and military intelligence to performing anti-terror operations.

For individuals who aspire to serve their country in a capacity that transcends conventional frontiers, understanding the full form of RAW, its significant role in protecting India’s security interests, and the agency’s remarkable history, including its role in the formation of Bangladesh and its strategies during the Kargil War, is an essential first step. Raw India’s exploits resonate not just within our nation’s borders but have echoed across continents, influencing global geopolitical landscapes.

Formed	21 September 1968; 51 years ago
Headquarters	CGO Complex, New Delhi, India
Motto	धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः (Sanskrit) transl. ’Justice, when protected, protects’
Employees	Classified
Annual budget	Classified
Minister responsible	Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
Wing executive	Samant Goel, IPS, Secretary
Parent Wing	Cabinet Secretariat
Child agencies	The Aviation Research Centre Radio Research Center Electronics and Technical Services National Technical Research Organisation Special Frontier Force Special Group

Embarking on a journey to join RAW demands a comprehensive grasp of the agency’s meticulous recruitment and training process. Our article aims to shed light on the eligibility criteria you must meet and the precise steps you need to undertake to be considered for a role as a RAW agent.

As a trusted beacon for defense aspirants, we recognize your ambition to rise above the ordinary and we strive to mentor you on how to become a RAW agent, uncovering details such as the RAW agent salary and career progression within the agency. Joining RAW is not just about harnessing skills; it’s about embodying a sense of purpose that aligns with national pride and duty.

We will navigate through each phase—from the recruitment process to the rigorous training that shapes exceptional RAW agents—ensuring that your pursuit of joining RAW, India’s esteemed intelligence ward, is illuminated with clarity and ambition. Let us inspire and equip you with all you need to realize your potential and embark on a career marked by valor and intelligence, synonymous with RAW’s legacy of excellence.

Understanding RAW and Its Function

As we delve into the essence of RAW, India’s premier intelligence agency, it’s pivotal to comprehend its core functions and the magnitude of its operations. Established in 1968, under the aegis of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, RAW’s inception was a strategic move to bolster India’s intelligence capabilities, particularly in foreign territories. The full form of RAW, which stands for Research and Analysis Wing, encapsulates its mission to conduct research and analysis that is critical to the nation’s safety and strategic interests.

Key Objectives and Functions of RAW:

Monitoring Developments: RAW’s primary mandate involves keeping a vigilant eye on political, military, economic, and scientific advancements in countries that could impact India’s security. This surveillance is crucial in preempting any threats and formulating strategic responses.
Counter-Terrorism: The agency is at the forefront of tracking terrorist factions and disrupting smuggling networks that funnel illicit arms into the country, thereby fortifying India’s defense against internal and external threats.
Covert Operations: RAW agents are trained to execute covert operations with the aim to safeguard India’s national interests. These operations are often shrouded in secrecy but are vital in maintaining the country’s sovereignty and security.

Notable Achievements and Structure:

Historical Impact: The agency has been instrumental in several key operations, including the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 and the integration of Sikkim in 1975, showcasing its pivotal role in shaping India’s geopolitical narrative.
Direct Reporting: Unlike other intelligence bodies, RAW maintains a direct reporting line to the Prime Minister, facilitated through the Joint Intelligence Committee, ensuring swift and confidential communication of sensitive information.
Organizational Hierarchy: At the structural core, RAW is comprised of the Office of Special Operations, Additional Secretaries, and a dedicated Aviation and Special Services division, all collaborating to fulfill the agency’s expansive mission.

Challenges and Operational Reach:

Equipment and Manpower: Despite being ranked among the top five intelligence agencies globally, RAW faces significant challenges, such as a severe staff shortage, with an estimated 40% deficit in personnel as of 2013.
Strategic Bureaus: The agency extends its intelligence network through 10 field formations, known as Special Bureaus, strategically positioned in major cities near India’s borders, to gather vital intelligence from neighboring nations.
Military Hardware Control: A significant aspect of RAW’s objectives includes monitoring and curtailing the flow of military hardware to Pakistan, predominantly sourced from the United States, China, and Europe, thereby maintaining a balance of power in the region.

In our pursuit of understanding how to join RAW and the full form of RAW, we recognize that aspiring RAW agents must align with the agency’s unwavering commitment to national security. With this knowledge of RAW India, we can appreciate the gravity and prestige associated with becoming a RAW agent. As we continue our exploration, we will uncover the steps on how to become a RAW agent, the raw agent salary, and the profound career paths that lie ahead for those who dare to dream of serving their nation at the highest level of intelligence and valor.

Eligibility Criteria for Joining RAW

Embarking on the esteemed journey to join RAW, India’s premier intelligence agency, necessitates meeting a set of stringent eligibility criteria. These prerequisites are designed to ensure that only the most capable and dedicated individuals are entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding our nation’s security and interests. As aspirants like you seek to understand how to become a RAW agent, it is imperative to familiarize yourself with the fundamental requirements:

Must be an Indian citizen.
Should have a clean record with no criminal background or pending court cases.
A graduation degree from a recognized university is mandatory.
Proficiency in at least one foreign language is highly beneficial.
Candidates often emerge from esteemed positions within the Civil Services, having cleared the rigorous Civil Service Exam, including roles in the IAS, IPS, or IRS.
Recruitment also extends to meritorious individuals from Indian armed forces such as the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Individuals with significant experience, typically more than 20 years in service, are preferred.
Lateral deputation is another pathway, targeting the Officers Corps of Armed Forces or Group A Civil Service Officers.
While the exact age limit is not officially specified, candidates are generally expected to be between 25-45 years old.
Physical fitness is paramount, given the demanding nature of RAW operations.
Exceptional communication skills are essential for the role of a RAW agent.

As a RAW agent, you will be at the vanguard of defending national security, acquiring critical foreign intelligence, and combating terrorism. You will also play a pivotal role in influencing foreign governments and shaping public opinion globally. The raw agent salary and career trajectory reflect the high stakes and significant responsibilities of the position. With the full form of RAW symbolizing the Research and Analysis Wing, your alignment with the agency’s mission and your adherence to these eligibility criteria will be the first step in your journey towards joining RAW India’s cadre of elite intelligence professionals.

The Recruitment Process

Embarking on the path to join RAW, the Research and Analysis Wing of India, is a journey of meticulous selection and dedication. As we continue to explore how to join RAW, we now focus on the recruitment process, which is as strategic and discerning as the operations of RAW itself.

Aspirants must first clear the UPSC Civil Services Exam, which is the gateway for various civil services in India, including the IPS and IFS, from which RAW often recruits.
The full form of RAW stands for precision and excellence, and thus, the agency selects candidates based on stellar performance in the UPSC Exam and their adherence to the eligibility criteria.
Direct Recruitment at the Class I executive level occurs from civil services officers who are undergoing the Foundation Course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
RAW agents, including most secretaries, have historically been officers from the IPS, with other posts being held by officers from the IFS and IRS.
The selection process for RAW agents intensifies with interviews and psychological assessments conducted at the end of the LBSNAA Foundation Course to identify candidates with the right aptitude for intelligence work.
Shortlisted candidates are then inducted to work at RAW India for a one-year period, during which their performance and adaptability to the intelligence culture are evaluated.

Eligibility and Preparation :

Nationality and Legal Standing : Candidates must be unwaveringly loyal Indian citizens, with a clean legal record, free of any criminal background or pending court cases.
Educational and Age Requirements : A graduation degree from a reputed institution is essential, and candidates must be less than 56 years of age, with a requisite number of years’ experience in government service.
Language and Skills : Proficiency in at least one foreign language is highly beneficial, reflecting the global operational reach of RAW agents.

By understanding the full form of RAW and aligning with the agency’s mission, you can prepare to navigate the challenging recruitment process. Remember, the raw agent salary is commensurate with the high-stakes and significant responsibilities that come with the role. As you contemplate how to become a RAW agent, keep in mind the dedication and commitment required to serve India’s premier intelligence agency.

Training of RAW Agents

Embarking on the rigorous journey to become a part of RAW, India’s esteemed intelligence agency, involves a meticulously structured training regimen designed to hone a wide array of skills necessary for the multifaceted role of a RAW agent. We aim to provide insights into the comprehensive training process that each aspirant undergoes, reinforcing the commitment to excellence synonymous with the full form of RAW – Research and Analysis Wing.

Basic Training Curriculum

Upon selection, trainees are initiated into the world of intelligence with a robust basic training module that spans various critical areas:

Espionage Techniques : Trainees are introduced to the art of real-world espionage, learning the nuances of clandestine operations and information gathering.
Technological Proficiency : Space technology and information security form the backbone of modern intelligence; hence, aspirants are equipped with cutting-edge scientific knowledge.
Analytical Acumen : A strong emphasis is placed on financial, economic, and geo-strategic analysis to develop the analytical prowess needed for high-stakes decision-making.
Case Studies : Learning from past successes and failures, trainees study detailed case studies of other intelligence agencies to understand the dynamics of global intelligence work.

Advanced Training: Field Intelligence Bureau (FIB)

After mastering the basics, trainees advance to the Field Intelligence Bureau training, which is an intensive 1-2 year program focusing on:

Survival Skills : Agents are trained to survive in the most hostile environments, ensuring their readiness for any situation.
Covert Operations : Mastery in secret operation management, including infiltration and exfiltration techniques, is imparted to handle sensitive missions.
Interrogation Resistance : Trainees learn to resist and manage interrogation scenarios, a critical skill for maintaining operational integrity.
Operational Execution : From contact management to mission operation, agents are equipped to execute complex intelligence tasks with precision.

Pathway to Permanent Selection

The journey from trainee to a full-fledged RAW agent is marked by a series of evaluations and choices:

Initial Induction : Candidates selected through RAS or direct recruitment at the Class 1 Executive Level undergo a year of intensive training, during which their compatibility with intelligence work is assessed.
Optional Reintegration : At the end of the first year, trainees have the option to return to their parent service, allowing for a reevaluation of their commitment to RAW India’s mission.
Final Selection : Those who exhibit unwavering dedication and exceptional skill are permanently inducted into the Research and Analysis Service, ready to embark on a career filled with challenges and triumphs.

Throughout the training, the raw agent salary reflects the high stakes and rigorous nature of the work. As you deliberate on how to join RAW and how to become a RAW agent, it’s clear that the path is not easy, but for those who are determined, it’s a journey of transformation into an intelligence professional of the highest caliber. The full form of RAW is a testament to the comprehensive education and preparation that each agent receives, ensuring their readiness to protect and serve with intelligence, valor, and an unwavering sense of duty.

Career Path and Roles in RAW

Embarking on a career with RAW India, the full form of RAW being Research and Analysis Wing, opens up a spectrum of roles that are pivotal to the nation’s security. Here, we outline the career path and roles within RAW, providing a roadmap for aspirants like you, who are seeking to understand how to join RAW and become integral to India’s intelligence framework.

Career Path in RAW

The journey begins with selection into an elite government job such as IAS or IPS, followed by a national aptitude test in intelligence and psychology, and an interview process.
Successful candidates are recruited through the Research and Analysis Service (RAS) cadre, part of the Central Staffing Scheme, and undergo a one-year training period to assimilate into RAW’s culture and operations.
Senior Roles : Secretary/Additional Secretary (R), Joint Secretary
Mid-level Roles : Director/Deputy Secretary/Attache
Operational Roles : Senior Field Officer, Field Officer, Deputy Field Officer, Assistant Field Officer
Advancement through these ranks is contingent on performance, dedication, and the successful execution of missions.
RAW officials receive the opportunity for international training, equipping them with global intelligence perspectives and operational techniques, which are crucial for RAW agents working in diverse geopolitical landscapes.

Roles and Responsibilities in RAW

Foreign Intelligence Gathering : As a RAW agent, you will be at the forefront of collecting sensitive information from foreign lands, which is critical for shaping India’s foreign policy and strategic decisions.
Counter-Terrorism Operations : RAW agents play a decisive role in thwarting terrorism, ensuring the safety of India’s populace and its sovereign interests.
Policy Advisory : Leveraging the intelligence gathered, RAW agents provide invaluable insights to policymakers, influencing decisions at the highest levels of government.
Nuclear Security : A RAW agent’s role extends to securing India’s nuclear program, a task of profound national importance.

Maintaining Integrity and Performance

Performance Review : RAW agents are consistently evaluated for their performance. Those who excel are rewarded with progression, while those who do not meet the standards may face forced retirement.
Integrity Assurance : The integrity of a RAW agent is paramount. Any doubts regarding an agent’s loyalty or conduct can lead to termination, ensuring the agency remains uncompromised.

As you consider how to join RAW and how to become a RAW agent, it’s clear that the path is demanding yet rewarding. The raw agent salary and benefits are reflective of the high-stakes nature of the work. With RAW India, you are not just choosing a job; you are committing to a lifestyle of vigilance, patriotism, and excellence. Your role within RAW will be instrumental in shaping the security narrative of the nation, and as such, every step of your career will be marked by the pursuit of brilliance and an unwavering dedication to the service of India.

Some of the known activities and operations of RAW are as follows:

ELINT operations aimed at China
Bangladesh liberation and aftermath
Operation Smiling Buddha
Amalgamation of Sikkim
Kahuta’s Blueprint
Operation Lal Dora
Operation Meghdoot
Kanishka Bombing case
Special Operations
Operation Cactus
Operations in Sri Lanka
Anti-Apartheid Movement
Operation Chanakya
Overthrowing monarchy in Nepal
Help to the Northern Alliance
Operation Leech
War on Terror
2008 Mumbai attacks
Snatch operations with IB
2015 Sri Lankan presidential election

Different Job Roles (Designations ) in RAW

Designation	Level
Secretary (R)	Class I / Group A Officers
Special Secretary/Additional Secretary	Class I / Group A Officers
Joint Secretary	Class I / Group A Officers
Director/Deputy Secretary/Attache	Class I / Group A Officers
Senior Field Officer	Group B / C Officers
Field Officer	Group B / C Officers
Deputy Field Officer	Group B / C Officers
Assistant Field Officer	Group B / C Officers

1. What is the process to become an agent in RAW India?

To pursue a career as a RAW agent, candidates must first clear the Combined Graduate Preliminary Exam (CGPE) conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Subsequently, they need to qualify for the ‘Group A’ Civil Services exam under the Central Staffing Scheme and excel in all stages of the Civil Service examination.

2. Is it possible to join RAW without taking the UPSC exams?

Direct recruitment into RAW is not available; therefore, candidates must go through the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination process.

3. Where is the headquarters of RAW located in India?

The headquarters of RAW is situated in New Delhi, which serves as the capital of India and is part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is also the administrative hub for all three branches of the Government of India.

4. What is India’s primary secret intelligence agency?

India’s main foreign intelligence agency is the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

5. How challenging is it to work for RAW?

Working as a RAW agent is not an easy task; it demands significant hard work, dedication, and a rigorous training process.

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Comment (183)

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I couldn’t clear NDA, CDS but fire is still in me for the nation for force way of life. currently, I preparing for UPSC. i have learned boxing, I’m a linguistic person, I’m good at acting .qualification 10th from Christian missionary, 12th science. B.A . in politics. Family background ‘0’. So, I have decided to join Research and Analysis wings.or CApf.

हेलो सर मैं आपना नाम नहीं बता सकता पर मैं RAW में शामिल होना चाहता हूं

Sir I am Retd from Corps of signals on 30 Apr 2021 after completion of 30 year service . My trade is (OSS) Yeoman of signals intelligence.I have more experience to Analysis and interception our target country and internally trts activity . I served in j&k 18 years 06 years in north east . Two decoration has received . I have interested same platform to lead and improve ndian security. Pls guide me and give me chance thx

मेरी मौत बहुत नजदीक है पर मरना तो है लेकिन देश के लिए नोकरी नहीं करनी है वो तो कहीं भी मिल जाएगी पर मुझे जो चाहिए वो देश के लिए त्याग करने पर मिलेगा वो नाम जो हर किसी को नहीं मिलता शहीद मुझे खुफिया एजेंसी सीआईए में शामिल कर लिजिए

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Me tooo Lol

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I am a proud INDIAN who wants to join RAW and wants to work for my motherland. Thanks

I am a proud INDIAN who wants to join RAW and wants to work for my people. Thanks

Dear sir I am from Imphal ,Manipur where communal clash have been going on since 3rd May, 2023 but still not in silent . This is the act of terrorism which attacked by the Burmese Terrorists to the people of Manipur who are living nearby the Hilly Areas. People are roaming here and there to get shelter. Some are stayed with their relatives and others are in the relief camps opened by the state government. They are facing many problems economically and mentally. Most of their wards are dropped out from the schools. Besides these things, people at the plain areas as well as at the hearth of the city are also facing economical problems as they cannot run their business properly and many organizations are emerged and started donation from the public. Meanwhile some people are trying to get a chance for looting private properties. For the correction of these unfair things I want to join in any of the Central Intelligence service. My contact number is

Dear Sir My contact number is 8787822102

How can i approach for giving an information releated with POK?

I will be glad if i can share this info with R&AW

I will be glad if i can share this with R&AW

research and analysis wing i am join of kolkata partime job I am not interested money

Jai Hind!! I’m just an 8th grade student ,I aspire to Join R&AW.

Code Name: BlackNinja

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India's External Intelligence: Secrets of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Hardcover – July 30, 2007

Print length 185 pages
Language English
Publisher Manas Publications
Publication date July 30, 2007
Dimensions 7.87 x 1.97 x 9.84 inches
ISBN-10 8170493323
ISBN-13 978-8170493327
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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Manas Publications; 2013th edition (July 30, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 185 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8170493323
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8170493327
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.3 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.87 x 1.97 x 9.84 inches
#24,106 in Political Science (Books)

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Best Sellers Rank: #59,715 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books )

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Daily News Analysis

Source: Wikipedia

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

A 55-year-old man, who impersonated as an officer of R&AW, was arrested.

The Research and Analysis Wing commonly referred to as R&AW is the primary external intelligence agency of India.
It is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining national security through the collection of foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism measures, and covert operations.
It also assures the security of India's nuclear programme and impediment the proliferation of nuclear weapons .
Headquarter s: New Delhi.

The Intelligence Bureau of India is the country's internal security and counterintelligence agency. It was created as Central Special Branch in 1887, reputed to be the oldest such organisation in the world.

Before R&AW came into existence, IB used to handle all intelligence during British rule in India-both domestic and foreign.
But the Sino-Indian War of 1962 exposed the weaknesses of the then existing intelligence apparatus .
Therefore, R&AW was created in 1968 under the leadership of Rameshwar Nath Kao, then a Deputy Director of the IB.
It also played an important role in accession of Sikkim in 1975.
During Bangladesh Liberation War 1971, R&AW played an important role in the training and arming of Mukti Bahini.
Secretary (Research) reports directly to the Prime Minister of India and the National Security Adviser (NSA) with no parliamentary oversight
Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries
Special Bureaus

Regional Desks:

Area One – Pakistan
Area Two - China and Southeast Asia
Area Three - Middle East and Africa
Area Four - other countries

Field Formations:

There are 10 Special Bureaus in India that create special focus on neighbouring countries with field officers abroad.

Recruitment:

It recruits its officers from the Armed Forces, IPS, and other civil services.

Basic training at R&AW Academy on Intelligence gathering, Intelligence analysis, and field operations. Advanced Training: More special types of training include cyber intelligence, aerial reconnaissance, and Covert Operations.

Additional Agencies

Aviation Research Centre was established for the development of aerial reconnaissance capability.
Radio Research Centre focuses on signals intelligence and electronic warfare.
Electronics and Technical Services handles technical intelligence and cyber operations.
Special Frontier Force is a paramilitary unit that conducts covert operations.
National Technical Research Organisation was established in 2004 to support R&AW with technical intelligence, including satellite imagery and communication monitoring.
Since R&AW functions directly under the Prime Minister, this raises several questions about accountability and transparency in its function.
Right since its very inception, the agency has faced charges on continuous political vendetta, corruption, and departmental rivalry.
It has also been criticised for asymmetric growth -a strong in covert operations but remarkably weak in high-grade intelligence gathering and analysis.
Past controversies- alleged misuse of the agency during the Emergency , for example-came up calling into question the role and functioning of the agency.

Current Developments

R&AW has increasingly begun to concentrate on state-of-the-art intelligence methods, cyber espionage and satellite surveillance.
From the rise of China to political turmoil in neighboring states, such as Afghanistan, R&AW is faced with new challenges.

Way Forward

Constitute a parliamentary committee with security clearances to provide greater transparency without compromising operational secrecy on R&AW matters.
HUMINT Strengthening: Better training and diversified expert recruitment, forging international relationships in the sphere of intelligence, will help in high-grade intelligence gathering.
Invest in Technology: Increase investment in areas like emerging AI, cyber intelligence, and satellite reconnaissance that will help in enhancing real-time intelligence and counter new emerging threats.
Retain silence during crisis times while allowing controlled leakage during peacetime to frame the story.
Need-to-Know Public Engagements: Engage in social media and media literacy to build positive image and counter misinformation.

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Departments/Agencies

Research and Analysis Wing

India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is the country’s premier intelligence agency. Established to satisfy the need for increased intelligence that was identified during the 1962 Sino-Indian Border War and during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, RAW was created in 1968 to handle India’s external intelligence affairs.

Currently, RAW operates under the Prime Minster’s Office, and was intentionally established as a “wing” versus an “agency” in order to bypass agency reporting requirements to Parliament’s Right to Information Act. Accordingly, it is hard to find detailed information about the organization.

Since its inception, RAW is credited with providing intelligence support to many significant operations on foreign soil. However, as with all of India’s intelligence organizations, RAW is not without flaws. RAW is known for not working in cooperation with the Intelligence Bureau or other Indian intelligence agencies. This lack of cooperation and coordination has led to multiple inquiries into RAW’s true analytic capabilities and their overall relevance to the protection of Indian interests.

Prior to 1968, India’s Intelligence Bureau (IB) was responsible for all of India’s internal and external intelligence activities; however, the bureau was not equipped to handle the demands of both missions. This became apparent when India’s lack of Foreign Intelligence collection against China resulted in India’s defeat during the 1962 Sino-Indian border war. Three years later, the Indo-Pakistani war reinforced India’s need for a separate and distinct external intelligence organization.

In 1968, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi appointed R. N. Kao as the first director of RAW. With 250 employees and a budget of $405,600, RAW undertook two primary missions:

Maintain awareness of the political and military activities of neighboring countries, primarily China and Pakistan
Promote the control of military equipment supplies into Pakistan

Under Kao’s leadership, from 1968 to 1977, RAW provided intelligence support, which resulted in many successful operations; the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, the defeat of Pakistan during the Kargil conflict of 1971, the accession of Sikkim in 1975, and the increase of Indian influence in Afghanistan.

With all of the organization’s successes throughout its first decade, RAW quickly grew in both personnel and financing. By the mid-1970’s, reports indicate RAW’s budget had jumped to $6.1 million and their workforce increased to several thousand. Additionally, as intelligence gaps were identified, Kao petitioned the Indian government to establish the Aviation Research Center (ARC), which would be responsible for providing aerial reconnaissance of neighboring countries. This capability allowed RAW to better prepare for impending conflict by obtaining overhead images of installations and activities along the Chinese and Pakistani borders.

Today, while there is no concrete data available to the public pertaining to the budget and staffing of RAW, a study conducted by the Federation of American Scientists suggests the organization has approximately 8,000 to 10,000 employees and a budget estimated at $145 million USD. One of the largest debates that presently surrounds RAW is the lack of transparency for their large budget.

Today, RAW is responsible for collecting military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations. RAW is also charged with monitoring terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.

RAW’s main area of focus is India’s neighbors, particularly China and Pakistan. Indian officials rely on the intelligence collected by RAW to shift national security policy, revise foreign policy, and to influence international public opinion. Additional responsibilities of RAW include:

Using the National Technical Facilities Organization (NTFO)
Utilizing technical espionage to monitor political and military changes in neighboring countries
Providing security services for India’s nuclear program
Collecting intelligence about the capabilities, limitations, leadership, and organization of known insurgent groups that operate in neighboring countries and project influence into India

Attached Bodies or Autonomous Bodies

Aerial Reconnaissance Centre

The ARC is responsible for collection of high quality overhead imagery of activities and installations in neighboring countries.

Special Frontier Force

A paramilitary force in India, the Special Frontier Force is headed by the inspector general who reports to the director general of security for RAW. While the force has functions independent of RAW, it is often fielded to support covert and overt RAW missions.

National Technical Facilities Organization/National Technical Research Organization

The function of the NTRO is suspected to be technological espionage. There are also indicators to suggest they perform imagery and communications analysis via varying platforms.

One of the controversies that surrounds RAW is the lack of transparency pertaining to its budget. Due to the highly sensitive nature of the organization’s mission, they do not have to answer to Parliament and are therefore exempt from the Right to Information Act that would require disclosure of use of funds. With speculation that RAW has a questionable analytical capability and that they don’t coordinate with India’s domestic intelligence organizations, there is growing pressure for RAW to provide information about how their budget is used.

RAW’s Lack of Transparency

Due to the highly secretive nature of RAW, the organization is open to significant levels of speculative controversies. The greatest controversy surrounding the organization since the time of its inception is the lack of transparency and lack of accountability to the Indian citizens. The fact that RAW is not answerable to the Right to Information Act leaves many questions in the minds of Indian citizens. For example, how does RAW spend its allocated budget? How many people does RAW employ? Is RAW tied into other intelligence agencies in India?

All of these are legitimate questions that become even more pressing when events such as the attacks in Mumbai occur with no advance warning. The citizens of India want to know that their premier intelligence agency is capable, competent, and effectively tied into India’s other agencies to ensure overall effectiveness of India’s intelligence apparatus.

Indian Spy Agencies To Come Under Parliament Oversight? (IANS)

India: possible misuse of new techint capabilities – analysis (by b. raman, eurasia review).

Sleuths Oppose Making Intelligence Agencies Accountable (by Iftikhar Gilani, Tehelka)

Accusations of Corruption

Another controversy that plagues RAW today is the suspicion of corruption at senior officer levels of the organization. The accusations against RAW include favoritism for promotion, misuse of funding, and internal rivalries that minimize the organization’s overall effectiveness.

An editorial in one of Sri Lanka’s leading papers, The Daily Mirror , accused RAW personnel of being morally bankrupt and spiritually barren. This comment was made in reference to an affair between a senior member of RAW and a senior member of another country’s “spy” agency, indicating that this was just one of many questionable activities occurring in the ranks of RAW.

Tale of RAW’s Underworld Mafia Don (by Makhdoom Babar, Daily Mail)

Maj Gen VK Singh's Fight against Corruption in RAW (Fight Corruption Now)

Support to Baloch Separatists

It is common knowledge that one of the main reasons RAW was initially established was to track activities of neighboring rival, Pakistan. The controversy, however, is to what degree India’s “spy agency” has been involved in trying to weaken Pakistan through covert activities supporting separatists in Balochistan .

One of RAWs claimed success stories is their involvement in Bangladesh’s declaration of independence from Pakistan in the 1970’s. Today, multiple reports indicate that RAW is playing a similar role in aiding the Baloch separatists who are trying to gain their independence from Pakistan as well. Pakistani’s believe India is supporting this activity in an attempt to weaken Pakistan and, eventually, aid in its collapse. India denies allegations of their involvement in Balochistan separatist activities and counters Pakistani claims by accusing Pakistan’s ISI of supporting the July 2008 bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul.

RAW Backed Baloch Separatists Attended Bonn Conference (Pakistan Observer)

India Running Terror Training Camps for Baloch Youths: Pak (by Rezaul H. Laskar, Outlook India)

'RAW Is Training 600 Balochis In Afghanistan' (by Mariana Baabar, Outlook India)

In the 1970’s, RAW provided weapons and training to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) insurgency in order to promote instability in Sri Lanka. India’s reasoning behind this was that Sri Lanka had provided support to Pakistan during the Indo-Pak War. Then, in the 1980’s, LTTE’s terrorist activities grew out of control, even carrying over into the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In 1989 India made a pact with Sri Lanka, agreeing to send peacekeeping troops into the country to try and contain the LTTE. This mission resulted in a humiliating loss for India when they lost to the LTTE soldiers they had trained and LTTE aggression was not contained. The final blow came when an LTTE suicide bomber assassinated Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

Today, controversy persists about the degree of RAW’s involvement and the level of their competence during operations in Sri Lanka. Many human rights organizations continue to criticize India and RAW for their involvement with LTTE.

Support to Sri Lankan LTTE (Council on Foreign Relations)

Understanding Relations Between RAW and LTTE (by Afshain Afzal, Daily News)

Indian Army & RAW Train Tamil Tiger [LTTE] Terrorists (IBNLive)

India’s Unconventional War Strategy (by Dr Shireen M Mazari, Defense Journal)

Establishment of Intelligence Oversight

The most common suggested reform pertaining to RAW is the call for the institution of an Oversight committee to maintain awareness of RAW’s capabilities, limitations, and financial expenditures. In September 2011 a bill was introduced to Congress – the Intelligence Services (Powers and Regulation) Bill, 2011. This bill called for monitoring of the Intelligence Bureau, the NTRO, and RAW.

Proponents of establishing intelligence oversight claim that these agencies need to have accountability to maintain effectiveness and to avoid the temptations of corrupt practices. The dissidents of intelligence oversight claim that the agencies in question will be weakened by such a requirement and that national security will be jeopardized.

Until Congress passes a bill that they find suitable to provide some oversight without compromising security, it is likely that citizens will continue to draft and recommend intelligence oversight reform plans for consideration in Congress.

Electronic Surveillance

One debate that currently persists is centered on recent reports of RAW acquiring legal permission to intercept Indian citizens’ phone calls, emails, and electronic communications. For the first time in the history of RAW, the organization is being granted permission to “spy” on Indian citizens. While the Indian government insists this is a necessary step, most Indian citizens are outraged.

Pro-Electronic Surveillance:

The Indian government argues that allowing RAW to monitor citizens’ phone calls, emails, and electronic communications is a necessary step to ensure the agency’s ability to legally obtain evidence against terrorists inside of India. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued this order shortly after the Hindu, working in conjunction with WikiLeaks, released multiple articles about India’s intelligence communications capabilities.

Proponents of domestic electronic surveillance argue that, prior to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, investigators had access to intercepted communications between attackers and their Pakistan based handlers. They argue that the only way the intercepted communications would be admissible in court is if the collectors had legal cover.

R&AW Notified To Legally Intercept Phone, Emails (Nagaland Post)

RAW Gets Power To Tap Phones, Track Emails (Times of India)

Now, RAW Can Legally Intercept Calls, Emails (by Vinay Kumar, The Hindu)

Anti-Electronic Surveillance

On the opposite side of the argument, Indian citizens feel that providing RAW with legal permission to tap phones and track electronic activities is diminishing their rights to privacy. A report by Daily News and Analysis compared India’s domestic intelligence collection policies to those in the United States and Britain indicating that the U.S. and Britain have acts of Parliament in place to protect their citizens while the Indian parliament doesn’t offer such protection. They argue that the protective regulations that are in place are not established by Parliament, and therefore, offer limited protection. Ultimately, opponents to electronic surveillance argue that the right to privacy is the right of every Indian citizen under the Constitution of India and providing RAW legal cover to “spy” on India’s citizens is in direct violation of their guaranteed rights.

DNA Exclusive: RAW Invades your Privacy (by Salkat Datta and Manan Kumar, Daily News and Analysis)

Intelligence Oversight

Intelligence oversight is an ongoing debate in India because there is a fine line between the need for accountability and the need for secrecy within each intelligence agency. RAW’s exclusion from the Right to Information Act and their excessively secretive policies combined with previous incidents of security violations and indications of poorly executed intelligence missions draw increased attention during the debate over the need for intelligence oversight. Consequently, many Indian citizens believe that the increased intelligence oversight would greatly improve the capabilities of India’s intelligence agencies; however, others believe that oversight would do nothing more than jeopardize national security.

Pro-Intelligence Oversight

Congress Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari recently introduced a private member’s bill , the Intelligence Services (Powers and Regulation) Bill, 2011, to Congress. Along with supporters of the intelligence oversight debate, Tewari believes that the lack of checks and balances for India’s IB, RAW, and NTRO have lead to problems like corruption, inaccurate intelligence analysis, abuse of funding, and lack of coordination and effectiveness among intelligence agencies. Supporters of intelligence oversight believe that this measure of accountability will enable India’s intelligence agencies to operate much more effectively and efficiently.

Eye on the Spies (The Telegraph)

Anti-Intelligence Oversight

Opposition to the idea of intelligence oversight feels that Parliamentary oversight of the intelligence structure in India will present roadblocks to the operations of the affected agencies. Former National Security Advisor, Brajesh Mishra, is among those who are concerned about the impact oversight will have on the ability of the intelligence community to perform their duties without jeopardizing national security.

The Intelligence Services (Powers and Regulation) Bill, 2011 (by Shayam Prasad, CJNews India)

Sanjeev K Tripathi (2010 – 2012)

Between December 2010 and December 2012, Sanjeev K Tripathi served as the 19th Secretary (Research), the head of RAW.

Born Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, in December 1950, Tripathi joined the Indian Police Services UP cadre in 1972. A few years later, Tripathi transferred to the Research and Analysis Services, RAS, a feeder for India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Tripathi appears to have advanced his career through powerful connections. He married the daughter of GS Bajpai, who headed R&AW in 1990 and 1991, coincidentally; the same year the Sri Lankan separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam assassinated former Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi.

Tripathi later found a mentor in Ashok Chaturvedi—Secretary (R) from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, Tripathi took charge of RAW’s Aviation Research Centre, (ARC).

Despite his connections, Tripathi’s ascent to lead India’s apex spy agency was replete with the sort of high bureaucratic drama that often typifies Indian politics.

Before retiring, Chaturvedi pushed for Tripathi to head RAW but National Security Adviser MK Narayanan prevented the appointment. Narayanan instead tapped his Special Secretary in the agency, PV Kumar—they both hail from Kerala. But the Home Minister, P Chidambaram due to his ongoing turf battle with Narayanan, vetoed the NSA’s efforts and he finally installed his own security adviser, KC Verma, the chief. Chidambaram reportedly forced Narayanan out in January 2010.

Verma was to retire on January 31, 2011, by the time Tripathi would have had already retired. Verma, after in-house political maneuvering, decided to resign in late December 2010, which allowed Tripathi to head RAW.

On becoming the chief, Tripathi thwarted hopes of AK Arni to lead the agency. Arni was the last of the Kaoboys—officers of RAS cadre recruited during first RAW chief RN Kao’s tenure.

Tripathi is no stranger to scandal. During a posting in Mauritius, his wife exhibited her paintings at the Indian High Commission, drawing criticism. While heading ARC, he allowed Chaturvedi and his wife to use the agency’s helicopter for personal travel.

More serious allegations of malfeasance came in 2009, when ARC awarded the Israeli firm ELTA a $300 million USD equipment contract. Though rumored to have an interest in the deal, a government investigation cleared him of wrongdoing in 2011.

Chaturvedi further tainted Tripathi. One former R&AW man, Major General V.K. Singh, published a book accusing Chaturvedi and Tripathi of trying to sabotage his career. And after Chaturvedi’s alcohol-related death in 2011, many more corruption allegations surfaced.

In August 2012, RAW recalled their Beijing station chief and dismissed him. A few national newspapers broke with unspoken media protocol and reported the firing.

K. C. Verma (2009-2010)

K.C. Verma started out at the Intelligence Bureau. After 30 years with the IB, in 2005, he was appointed as the head of the Narcotics Control Bureau. He was later promoted to Secretary of Security and, for a short time, served as the Internal Security Adviser to the Home Minister before being selected to succeed Ashok Chaturvedi as the Chief of RAW.

Verma’s greatest challenge during his time as chief was to implement measures to slow or stop corruption throughout the organization. Controversies that persist today indicate that he failed to accomplish this mission.

Ashok Chaturvedi (2007 -2009)

Ashok Chaturvedi took office amongst layers of controversy, as his appointment was contested by many in the intelligence community who believed he was not qualified for the position, and may ultimately jeopardize Indian national security interests. During his time as the chief of the external intelligence agency, controversies and intelligence failures plagued RAW and damaged the agency’s reputation.

P. K. Hormis Tharakan (2005-2007)

Prior to becoming the chief of RAW, P.K. Tharakan was the director of the Kerala Police. Reports indicate that he transformed the Karala Police and, Prime Minister Singh appointed him to head RAW in hopes that he would transform the spy agency as well. Tharakan was an IPS Officer of the Kerala Cadre, 1968 batch.

C. D. Sahay (2003-2005)

Sahay was appointed as the 15th Chief of RAW. He spent the majority of his career serving in various capacities within RAW, all of which culminated in his appointment as Chief. Sahay is the first RAW Chief to have undergone intelligence training in Israel.

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Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)

A 55-year-old man posing as an officer of intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) was recently arrested after the suspect was caught intimidating locals.

About research and analysis wing (r&aw):.

It was established in 1968 to handle India’s international intelligence affairs .
At present, R&AW is under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Working mechanism : It collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations .
The agency is also charged with monitoring terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.
Until 1968, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was responsible for India’s internal intelligence and also handled external intelligence .
However, after the 1962 China-India war and the Indo-Pakistani war in 1965 , India established a separate and distinct external intelligence organization–the R&AW.
Since its inception, RAW is credited with providing intelligence support to many significant operations on foreign soil.

Q1 : What is the Intelligence Bureau (IB)?

IB is an internal intelligence agency of India which is used to gather intelligence from within India and also execute counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism tasks. In addition to domestic intelligence responsibilities, the IB is particularly tasked with intelligence collection in border areas, following the 1951 recommendations of the Himmatsinhji Committee (also known as the North and North-East Border Committee), a task entrusted to military intelligence organizations, prior to independence in 1947. It comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The IB activities are highly confidential, and no publications other than the internal ones reveal their arcane workings.

Source: Man posing as R&AW officer held in Noida, fake ID papers seized

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It's a decent read on the operational and administrative aspects of raw.Maj general VK Singh has done a decent job in highlighting the issues within raw and it's rivalry with other Indian agencies dealing with espionage but it's often comparison with the army is a little questionable.Overall it's a good book to get insights about the processes ...
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RAW: India’s External Intelligence Agency

Introduction

The History of RAW

The Structure and Function of RAW

RAW’s Role in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka

Covert Action in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Relations With the CIA

Weaknesses in RAW

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Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW): Inside India’s Foreign Intelligence Agency

1. Introduction to RAW

2. Organisation

2.2 Ranks

2.2.1 Class I/Group A Officer

2.2.3 Group A Officer

2.3 Job Profile of RAW Agent

2.4 Recruiting

2.4.1 RAW Selection

3.0 RAW Operational Information

3.2 Achievements of RAW

4.0 Recent Operations

4.2 Canadian Sikh Leader’s Killing Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

4.3 Terrorist Attacks in Pakistan

5. Conclusion

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History of RAW - India’s external intelligence agency

Origins of RAW

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