Intelligence Agencies in India: Complete List, Roles, Functions, and Significance in National Security
India is on it’s way to being one of the super powers in the world and with growth comes great threats. Which is why the Indian Government spends heavily on the defense and intelligence. In these times information is the key. The Intelligence agencies in India , make sure that they are always one step ahead of the enemy and prevent any serious damage to the integrity and security of the nation. Today in this article we’ll discuss 9 intelligence agencies in India, that make sure to provide armed services and police forces with necessary intelligence to counter any attacks.
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National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC)
The concept of creating an organisation to look into terrorism cases gained traction in the nation following the 26/11 strikes. India’s federal counterterrorism body is called the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). This organisation was established based on the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in the United Kingdom. Its legal foundation is the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act of 1967. State counterterrorism agencies make up the NCTC Standing Council. The organisation is divided into three departments: operations, analysis, and intelligence gathering and distribution.
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
 Established by the National Investigation Act of 2008, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a legislative entity. It is India’s main anti-terrorism law enforcement organisation. Following the passage of the National Investigation Agency Act 2008, it became effective on December 31, 2008. A Director General that has been chosen by the Central Government is in charge of it. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees the operations of this organisation. It is able to look into offences that compromise India’s security, integrity, and sovereignty. New Delhi is home to the NIA’s headquarters. Once the Ministry of Home Affairs issues a formal proclamation, the agency can look into charges pertaining to terrorist activity without state consent.
National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)
The 26/11 terrorist incident in Mumbai led to the creation of NATGRID. The organisation was intended to create cutting-edge technology to improve the nation’s capacity to combat terrorism. Its main objective is to close the real-time information gap, which was thought to be the biggest obstacle to identifying conspirator movement prior to September 11. The organisation gathers and compiles a variety of data from official databases, such as bank and tax account information, credit/debit card transactions, immigration and visa records, and train and flight timetables. The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) is another resource it can use. C-DAC Pune served as the organization’s technological partner, while IIT Bhilai was chosen to serve as the plan management consultant for the creation of NATGRID.
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
On March 17, 1986, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was founded in accordance with Article 47 of the Indian Constitution. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 created this legislative organisation.It serves as the nation’s top coordination body for all drug and drugs law enforcement organisations. It serves as India’s primary point of contact for foreign organisations such as UNODC, INCB, and others. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees its operations. Intelligence Enforcement Coordination is its slogan. The organization’s main office is in New Delhi. Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Indore, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Patna are the locations of NCB’s zones.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
In 1957, the Revenue Intelligence Directorate was established. It is the highest authority tasked with gathering intelligence on human trafficking and looking into cases involving trafficking. Additionally, DRI has been assigned as the Anti-Smuggling National Coordination Center’s nodal agency. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is in charge of it. A Director General with the status of Special Secretary to the Government of India is in charge of it. It takes proactive measures to stop the outright smuggling of illegal goods like weapons, jewellery, drugs, fake Indian rupee notes, antiques, wildlife, and environmental products. It also takes action to stop the flow of illicit funds and money laundering. Through agreements for mutual aid in customs, it collaborates with foreign customs authorities to discuss best practices and exchange information.
Bureau of Police Research and Investigation (BPR&D)
A resolution issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs formed the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) in 1970. It took the place of the 1966-founded Police Research and Advisory Council. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees its operations. The organization’s main office is in New Delhi. Its goal is to pinpoint, examine, and investigate challenges facing the nation’s police forces and then provide workable solutions to address the concerns or needs of the forces. Its major goals were to determine the nation’s policing needs and issues, carry out research projects and studies, and make recommendations for how to address issues and meet policing requirements.
Intelligence Bureau (IB)
The world’s oldest intelligence agency was founded in 1887 and is known as the Intelligence Bureau. The Indian Political Intelligence Office was its previous name. Its name was renamed Indian Political Intelligence (IPI) in 1921. The British government established it as a Central Special Branch. The Intelligence Bureau was the name given to this organisation after it gained independence. The nation’s premier intelligence organisation, the Intelligence Bureau, conducts counterintelligence and counterterrorism activities in addition to gathering and compiling information. The IB was to handle both foreign and domestic intelligence until 1968, when the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was established. It handled internal security and domestic intelligence affairs after 1968. The IB’s main office is in New Delhi. The Ministry of Home Affairs oversees its operations. The Cabinet Secretariat receives information from the Intelligence Bureau, which keeps a close eye on parliamentary initiatives.
Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)
Investigation and Evaluation Wing was founded in response to intelligence shortcomings during the 1962 and 1965 wars and is specialist in managing foreign intelligence. Thus, 1968 saw the creation of the body. This organisation is in charge of gathering intelligence on politics, science, the military, and the economy through both overt and covert actions. It also takes a hard line on the nation’s networks for smuggling arms. It gathers foreign intelligence, fights terrorism, counsels Indian policymakers, encourages nonproliferation, and pushes India’s geopolitical objectives abroad. This committee is also in charge of safeguarding India’s nuclear programme. Though it answers directly to the Prime Minister, it is overseen by the Indian Cabinet Secretary.
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Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946 grants the Central Bureau of Investigation, India’s main investigative police agency, its authority. Established in 1941, the Special Police Establishment is where the body got its start. The Department of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pensions and Public Grievances oversees its operations. The Santhanam Committee suggested that it be established. It oversees investigations on behalf of Interpol’s member governments and acts as the organization’s main point of contact. It also offers support to the Lokpal and the Central Vigilance Commission. The institution now has seven departments. An IPS officer selected by the government leads the organisation.
So these were all the intelligence agencies in India that are continuously on lookout for threats.