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.
