Research and Analysis Wing of India (RAW)

The RAW is defined as the research and analysis wings. It plays a vital role in the country’s foreign affairs. It is also called India’s most important foreign intelligence body, which collects all confidential information or data to secure the nation from foreign attacks. This agency guides our policymakers on the right track, and RAW headquarters is located in New Delhi. Raw is India’smost vital agency, which works secretly. They spread their agents to worldwide for collecting all critical information.RAW was established in 1968 on the recommendation of Rameshwar Nath Kao. The need for RAW is felt after the Indo-china war and Indo -Pak war, and also, the RAW is not answerable for any of its activities to the PM office.

HISTORY OF RAW

RAW was established in 1968 under Rameshwar Nath Kao’s influence. He was a deputy chairman of the intelligence bureau .when the Intelligence Bureau failed to collect foreign information during Indo-China and Indo –Pakistan wars, the pressure on the intelligence bureau increased, resulting in the development of Raw.RAW is also known as the first wing of the intelligence bureau. In 1970 two unique bodies were added under Raw 1st one was a radio research center, and 2nd one was electronic and tech services. The joint intelligence committee is a link between the RAW, the intelligence agency, and the Defence intelligence agency and is also responsible for evaluating and reviewing intelligence activities. In 2004 government of India added another agency in Raw name as a national; technical facilities organization ( NTFO), which has now been renamed national Technical ResearchOrganisation (NTRO).

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF RAW

• Raw is responsible for monitoring the country’s overall development without harming India’s national security.
• Secure the country’s national interest
• Work against anti-terror operations and deal with threat elements of India.
• It helps to guide india’s decision maker.

How do Raw agents work?

The raw agent works secretly in disguise and gathers all secret and necessary information.RAW provides information before time laps and tries to live in a typical environment like other citizens, so they do not get caught for their suspicious profession. And during an emergent situation, if a raw agent gets caught, the nation denies the citizenship of that RAW agent. 

Importance of RAW

For the country’s security Raw performs immense importance. They perform many secret operations, and we live peacefully because of their endless efforts. The member of the RAW collects all critical information about the plans of undercover operations by enemy agents.

Why do RAW agents hide their occupation?

To maintain secrecy, they need to hide their occupation. If their job is revealed, that can be dangerous, and the enemies start spying on them. Every step of Raw agents is essential for national security, so agents must hide their Identities.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF RAW

CIA is responsible for the organization of RAW the head of Raw is drawn from the cabinet secretariat .they have the benefit of training in either USA or the UK. The administration works under the prime minister’s instruction and makes a report on an administrative basis to the cabinet secretariat. The secretary regularly informs the national security advisor, and the secretaries are:

• Additional secretary – the additional secretary is responsible for special operations and collects a large number of information from different countries with the help of many joint secretariats. In addition, he acts as the head of various regional departments, which include the area of china, southeast Asia, and middle east Africa; ETC., the head of the electronic and technical department, also called a nodal agency for ETS and RRC. Both submit their report to the additional secretary.
• Director general – the director general of security has two critical sections the aviation research center and the exceptional service bureau. 

The internal security of Raw is a matter of speculation. New Delhi has many headquarters with direct links from abroad and is headed by officers who keep records of projects posted overseas. The deputy and deputy field officers collected the necessary information and checked or processed it with the senior or desk officers. Then the desk officers passed this information to the joint secretary, which was given to the additional secretary and circulated to the end users. Many female agents are working in RAW, even at the operational level. Now the RAW shifted its focus from Pakistan to china and made a separate desk for this purpose. The JIC joint secretariat committee comes under the cabinet secretariat and is responsible for maintaining the intelligence agency between RAW and the DIA intelligence bureau of the defense intelligence agency. The JIC was established in 1999 after the approval of the national security council. Raw is a wing of the cabinet secretariat, not answerable to the PM of India on any issue.

TRAINING of RAW

The training was divided into two stages:  

• Basic training  – the basic training, the trainers use inspirational talks to boost the moral values of the newcomer. It takes ten days to familiarize the recruit with the new world and learn about trade crafts techniques and how to classify the information and thoughts. In addition, the trainer provides trainees with information about financial and economic analysis, space technology, security information, energy security, and scientific knowledge. They are also familiar with geostrategic research and learn some specific foreign languages. The case study of agencies like the CIA, KGB, and ISI Mossad  MI6  is also critical. In this training, trainers taught about Intelligence organizations and how to identify who is a friend and enemy.   
• Advanced training– The student attacked the field intelligence bureau in this training. It takes approx. 1-2 years, they are given experience in the field. They conduct undercover operations and night exercises under realistic conditions. They learn about infiltration and exfiltration and are also taught if they caught ho to face interrogation. In addition, they will learn the art of reconnoiter, making contacts, and different skills, which are essential for operating the intelligence mission. Before their development, exhausting training is given to recruits to polish their skills and the art of defense and how to use technical espionage devices.   

RECRUITMENT

In the earlier time, RAW primarily trained officers who were appointed directly. These belong to the external wings of the intelligence bureau, and the candidates are selected from IPS, civil servants, and the armed forces of India,.but later, they directly posted graduates from universities. In 1938 RAW had its service cadre known as research and analysis services (RAS). In this, there is direct recruitment of class 1st officers. They trained under the foundation of the national academy of administration or LalbahadurShastri, and at the end, there is an interview based on a psychological test.

How to contact RAW

To contact the RAW first, you need to get the NIA known as a national investigatory agency, and the address is given below :

• 7th floor, umbrella hills MTNL telephone exchange, Pedder road, Mumbai, Maharashtra- 400026

• Mobile number – 022-23550650 fax -022-23542525
• The email address is – info.mum.nia@gov.in

Amazing facts about RAW

• The motto of RAW धर्मोरक्षतिरक्षित, based on he who does not observe dharma is destroyed, while the whole follows is protected. Dharma, in the context, stands for the nation. 
• Raw is an external agency that existed after the sindo0india war and the Pakistan-India war. After this war, we felt the need for an external agency; before this, the intelligence bureau is responsible for internal and external intelligence.
• Raw successfully kept india’s first nuclear test secret, named operation smiling buddha. 
• The extraordinary artist RavindraKaushik played a spy role in Pakistan. He joined the Pakistan army and served at the rank of major and saved thousand of Indian’s life by sending essential information or data.
• Kargil war RAW successfully trapped the conversation between the Pakistan general Parvez Musharraf and Lt.Gen. Mohd Aziz.
• RAW successfully trapped the conversation of terrorists about 2-6 months before the Mumbai attack.

Conclusion

The person serving under RAW as an undercover agent must get full government support and security. Even after their death, they do not get the love of their motherland. They are trained intelligence officers responsible for collecting essential information for securing the nation’s interest.

Faqs

• Who is responsible for the analytical research wing?

Ans :- The head of Raw in the cabinet secretariat, under the authority of the Indian Prime Minister, is responsible for the RAW.

• How do you apply for RAW?

Ans :- You join RAW through the UPSC exam. 

• Can RAW agents tell about their personal information?

Ans :- Those eligible to join raw should not tell about their family, friends, or other important information. Instead, they work in disguise form.

• Is raw a permanent job?

Ans :- No, it is not a permanent job, but the person can earn 0.8-1.3 lakh per month in this job.