Defense Update

The Research and Analysis Wing, which was established in 1968, operates directly under the Prime Minister of India.

Its primary objectives are gathering external intelligence, engaging in counter-terrorism activities, and advancing the strategic interests of the country on a global level.

The secret intelligence agency also keeps an eye on the political/military developments in adjoining countries that impact India's security and foreign policy formulation.

Initially, R&AW used to recruit trained intelligence officers from the Intelligence Bureau's external wing.

However, later, it began hiring personnel from the Indian Armed Forces, police forces, Indian Revenue Service (IRS), or any government institutions.

It is also believed that candidates are hired by R&AW directly from universities and colleges. R&AW is a secret agency; one cannot apply to a position in R&AW directly.

R&AW created its own service cadre, Research and Analysis Services (RAS), in 1983 to recruit talent from other Group A Civil Services, under the Central Staffing Scheme.

Direct recruitment of Civil Services officers, who are undergoing the Foundation course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, is also done.

So, qualifying the UPSC Civil Services Examination is another option to get into R&AW.

Candidates selected for R&AW are required to undergo training, basic and advanced, which lasts for a couple of years.

In the basic training, they get to know about espionage, intelligence, information security, space technology, financial/economic/geostrategic analysis, etc.

Under the advanced training, they are sent to Field Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and are taught about surviving various conditions, avoiding capture, managing secret operations, facing interrogation, etc.