Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)
21-06-2023
1 min read
Overview:
Recently, the Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of senior IPS officer Ravi Sinha as the chief of India’s external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a period of two years.
About Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)
- It was established in 1968 to handle the India’s international intelligence affairs.
- It 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.
- 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.
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 the 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.
Q1) What is the role of Intelligence Bureau of India?
The IB is responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence related to threats to India's internal security. This includes activities such as monitoring terrorist organizations, extremist groups, and other elements posing a threat to law and order within the country.
Source: RAW’s Ravi Sinha who headed operations is now the agency’s new chief
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