Key Intelligence Agencies in INDIA

Our nation has been emerging and becoming stronger every year and soon in future will evolve as one of the super power nations. We are often fascinated by few popular intelligence agencies of the world like Mussad, CIA, FBI, KGB, MI6, etc., who are playing their roles in law enforcement and counter terrorism. We might have paid less attention to Indian agencies; in spite of fact that we are a soft target since many decades. But that is beauty of our lives which is still running smooth because of the central defense bodies like Army, Navy, Air Force and domestic defense like Police force have been providing their service with great dedication. Of course the power lies with the Govt. that carries out its responsibilities to keep the nation safe in and out of boundaries.

So, to effective manage the show the intelligence agencies play a vital role in administration and execution as per the prescribed standard operating protocol or procedures.

Here are the Key organisations or agencies that are responsible for law enforcement, internal & external security and counter terrorism in our nation:

National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC)

Hope everyone remembers the 2008 Mumbai attacks especially in TAJ hotel, which has eventually brought up many system failures in existing intelligence abilities. After this the govt. analyzed and introduced National Counter Terrorism Center (based on anti-terrorism unit set up in the National counter- terrorism center of the USA). The chief of the National Counter Terrorism Center will be a Director who will be reporting to the Director Intelligence Bureau and the Home Secretary. It will draw its powers from the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967. It will operate over states to gather the real-time information, has the ability to look for data, including archives, report and digital data from any security agency and organization. They can conduct raids without a prior consent of the respective states.

Intelligence Bureau (IB)

This is India's domestic intelligence, internal security and counter-intelligence agency. It is reputed to be the oldest such organization in the world since 1885 operated by British Indian Army. Later it changes to India political intelligence in 1909 and after independence in 1947 now India’s intelligence Bureau - reputed and established intelligence agency. The intelligence bureau is authoritatively controlled by the Ministry of Home affairs. The Director IB (DIB), who is a member of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), is the chief of Intelligence Bureau. It is considered as the internal news agency responsible for monitoring all aspects of governance. IB closely monitors developments relating to parliamentary undertakings and report back to cabinet secretariat. The Special Enquiry and Surveillance Unit of IB handle most of this work.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

Prior to 1968, the Intelligence Bureau is responsible for India’s internal and external intelligence. Thereafter India, established a dedicated, RAW- Research and Analysis Wing founded mainly to keep an eye on the actions and movements Pakistan and China. The Chief of the RAW is entitled as Secretary (Research) in the Cabinet Secretariat. It is only answerable to the Prime Minister and the Joint Intelligence Committee. It is not liable to the parliament of India on any issues and the same provision keeps it out of reach of the Right to Information (RTI) act. It monitors the political, economic, scientific 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. Also, covert operations and anti-terror operations neutralize threats to our nation.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the principal investigative police agency in India. It was established in 1941 as the Special Police Establishment, entrusted with domestic security. It is an elite force which plays an indispensable role in public life and guaranteeing the health of the national economy. It is functioning under the Ministry of Personnel, Pension and Public Grievances is the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigation on behalf of Interpol Member countries. It is also occupied in the compilation of criminal intelligence pertaining to three of its main areas of operation- Anti-Corruption, Economic Crimes, and Special Crimes. MAC is a multi-agency center for Counter Terrorism formed during Kargil War, whose mandate is to share terrorism-related inputs on a day to day basis. Subsidiary, Multi-Agency Centers (SMACs) in different states comprising representatives from various security agencies, for streamlining intelligence efforts.

National Investigative Agencies (NIA)

The National Investigate Agency was created by an Act of the Parliament of India in 2008. It was also created after the Mumbai Terror Attack with the provisions for taking up particular cases under particular Acts for investigation and prosecution. It may be believed to strife with the duty that is solely to the states; however, it can’t be definitively said that the Agency is unconstitutional. It was not an Agency to deal with offenses under all the laws. This agency only deals with eight laws as mentioned below:

1. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962

2. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967

3. The Anti-Hijacking Act, 1982

4. The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982

5. The SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act, 1993

6. The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, 2002

7. The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005

8. Offenses under—Chapter VI of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 489-A to 489-E (both inclusive) of the Indian Penal Code.

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

The National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID was proposed in the repercussion of the terrorist attack on Mumbai in 2008. It is the integrated intelligence framework connecting the databases of security agencies of the Government of India to gather inclusive patterns of intelligence that can be accessed by intelligence agencies. These data can be accessed by central agencies, including RAW, Intelligence Bureau, CBI, etc. The office of NATGRID is attached to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB)

National Crime Record Bureau is to empower Indian Police with Information Technology to allow them to efficiently enforce the law and perk up public service delivery. It is responsible for collecting and dissecting crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

Narcotics Control Bureau is the supreme coordinating agency, chief law enforcement, and intelligence agency of India accounts for battling drug trafficking and the mishandling of unlawful and illegal substances. As indicated in the Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, it guides the State to endeavor to bring about the exclusion of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drugs harmful to wellbeing. The Director General of NCB is an officer of the Indian Police Service or the Indian Revenue Service.

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is an Indian intelligence agency the Central Board of Excise and Customs in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue. It enforces the prohibition of smuggling of drugs, gold, diamonds, electronic gadgets, foreign currency, counterfeit Indian currency, etc.

Bureau of Police Research and Investigation (BPR&D)

The Bureau of Police Research and Investigation (BPR&D) was set up in 1970 to identify the requirements and issues of police in the nation, to embrace proper research activities and contemplates and to propose strategy choices to rising challenges. It was also ordered to stay informed concerning most recent advancement in the field of science and technology. It has also organized training programs for Prison Officers on various subjects like Human rights in Prison management, personality development etc.

Apart from the above agencies the below agencies are also play their important roles in their respective categories:

• All India Radio Monitoring Service

• Aviation Research Centre

• Central Economic Intelligence Bureau

• Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre (India)

• Criminal Investigation Department (India)

• Directorate of Enforcement

• Department of Criminal Intelligence

• Directorate of Air Intelligence

• Directorate of Military Intelligence

• Directorate of Naval Intelligence

• Directorate General of Income Tax Investigation

• Defence Intelligence Agency

• Directorate of Income Tax (Intelligence and Criminal Investigation)

• Economic Intelligence Council

• Indian Political Intelligence Office

• Investigation Division of the Central Board of Direct Taxes

• Joint Cipher Bureau

• National Technical Research Organisation

• Radio Research Centre

• Regional Economic Intelligence Committee

• Serious Fraud Investigation Office

• Signals Intelligence Directorate

• Thuggee Dacoity Department

• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau