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Intelligence Agencies in India: Complete List, Roles, Functions, and Significance in National Security

Government Agencies
10 June, 2024
India is rapidly becoming one of the world's superpowers, and with that expansion comes significant threats. For this reason, the Indian government makes significant investments in intelligence and defence. These days, knowledge is essential. India's intelligence services make sure they stay one step ahead of the enemy and guard the country's security and integrity from any major harm. We will talk about nine Indian intelligence agencies in this article today. These agencies ensure that the police and armed forces have access to the intelligence they need to fend off attacks.
Intelligence Agencies in India: Complete List, Roles, Functions, and Significance in National Security

Centre for National Counterterrorism (NCTC)

After the 26/11 attacks, the idea of establishing an institution to investigate terrorism crimes gained popularity in the country. The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) is the name of India's federal counterterrorism agency. The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in the UK served as the model for the establishment of this agency. The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act of 1967 serves as its legal basis. The NCTC Standing Council is composed of state counterterrorism agencies. The three departments of the organisation are operations, analysis, and intelligence collection and dissemination.

Agency for National Investigation (NIA)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a legislative body that was founded by the National Investigation Act of 2008. It is the primary anti-terrorism law enforcement agency in India. The National Investigation Agency Act 2008 was passed, and on December 31, 2008, it went into effect. It is overseen by a Director General that the Central Government has selected. This organization's operations are supervised by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It can investigate crimes that jeopardise the security, integrity, and sovereignty of India. The headquarters of the NIA are located in New Delhi. The Ministry of Home Affairs can investigate charges related to terrorist activity without the state's approval if it releases an official proclamation.

The Grid of National Intelligence (NATGRID)

NATGRID was established as a result of the terrorist attack that occurred in Mumbai on 26/11. The organisation was founded with the goal of developing cutting-edge technologies to strengthen the country's ability to fight terrorism. Its primary goal is to bridge the real-time information gap, which before September 11 was believed to be the largest barrier to detecting conspiratorial activity. A wide range of data, including bank and tax account details, credit/debit card transactions, immigration and visa records, and train and travel schedules, are gathered and compiled by the company from official databases. It can also make use of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). The organisation chose IIT Bhilai to be the plan management consultant for the development of NATGRID, and C-DAC Pune as its technological partner.

Bureau of Narcotics Control (NCB)

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was established on March 17, 1986, in compliance with Article 47 of the Indian Constitution. Established in 1985 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, this legislative body was established.It acts as the principal coordinating organisation for all drug and drug-related law enforcement agencies in the country. It acts as India's main interface with international organisations including the INCB, UNODC, and others. It is managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its tagline is Intelligence Enforcement Coordination. New Delhi is home to the organization's main office. NCB's zones are located in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Indore, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Patna.

Revenue Intelligence Directorate (DRI)

The Revenue Intelligence Directorate was founded in 1957. It is the highest authority charged with investigating cases of human trafficking and gathering intelligence on the practice. DRI has also been designated as the nodal agency for the Anti-Smuggling National Coordination Centre. It is overseen by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. It is overseen by a Director General who holds the rank of Special Secretary to the Government of India. To completely prevent the smuggling of illicit commodities such as gold, firearms, drugs, counterfeit Indian rupee notes, antiques, wildlife, and environmental products, aggressive steps must be taken. Additionally, it takes steps to halt money laundering and the movement of illegal monies. It works with foreign customs administrations to exchange information and discuss best practices through agreements for mutual aid in customs.

Police Research and Investigations Bureau (BPR&D)

In 1970, the Ministry of Home Affairs passed a resolution establishing the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D). It replaced the Police Research and Advisory Council, which was established in 1966. It is managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. New Delhi is home to the organization's main office. Its objective is to identify, analyse, and research the problems that the country's police forces are facing in order to offer practical answers that will meet the demands or concerns of the forces. Its main objectives were to ascertain the challenges and needs related to policing in the country, conduct studies and research projects, and provide advice on how to resolve problems and fulfil policing obligations.

Bureau of Intelligence (IB)

The Intelligence Bureau, the oldest intelligence organisation in the world, was established in 1887. Its previous name was the Indian Political Intelligence Office. In 1921, it changed its name to Indian Political Intelligence (IPI). It was founded by the British government as a Central Special Branch. After gaining independence, this organisation was renamed the Intelligence Bureau. The Intelligence Bureau, the country's top intelligence agency, collects and compiles data in addition to conducting counterintelligence and counterterrorism operations. Up until the establishment of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in 1968, the IB was responsible for both domestic and foreign intelligence. After 1968, it was in charge of domestic intelligence matters and internal security. New Delhi is home to the IB's main office. It is managed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Intelligence Bureau provides information to the Cabinet Secretariat and closely monitors parliamentary actions.

Investigation and Evaluation Wing (RAW)

Examination and Research Wing is an expert in managing foreign intelligence and was established in reaction to intelligence deficiencies during the conflicts of 1962 and 1965. Thus, the body was created in 1968. This organisation is in charge of using both overt and covert methods to obtain intelligence on the military, the economy, science, and politics. For the purpose of smuggling weaponry, the country's networks also require a firm stance. It gathers intelligence from abroad, combats terrorism, advises Indian politicians, promotes nonproliferation, and advances India's geopolitical goals overseas. Additionally, this body is in charge of protecting India's nuclear programme. The Indian Cabinet Secretary is in charge of it, even though it reports directly to the Prime Minister.

The CBI, or Central Bureau of Investigation

The Central Bureau of Investigation, the primary investigative police agency in India, is authorised under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act of 1946. The organisation was founded as the Special Police Establishment in 1941. Its functions are supervised by the Ministry of Personnel, Pensions, and Public Grievances' Department of Personnel. The proposal to establish it came from the Santhanam Committee. It serves as the primary point of contact for Interpol and supervises investigations on behalf of its member nations. It also extends assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission and the Lokpal. There are now seven departments in the organisation. The organisation is run by an IPS officer that the government has chosen.
Thus, these are all the Indian intelligence services that are always scanning the landscape for potential threats.

Intelligence Agencies in India List

Intelligence Agencies in India List
Organisation Year of Establishment Incumbent Chief Headquarters Ministry Primary Function
National Investigation Agency (NIA) 2009 IPS Kuldeep Singh New Delhi Home Ministry Countering terrorism
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) 2006 Tilotama Varma New Delhi Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dealing with organised wildlife crime in India
National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) 2004 Anil Dhasmana New Delhi Prime Minister’s Office Responsible for geospatial intelligence and satellite imagery
Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) 2003 Keshav Chandra New Delhi Ministry of Corporate Affairs Conducting multi-disciplinary investigations of major corporate frauds
Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) 2002 Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon New Delhi Ministry of Defense Providing and coordinating defence and military intelligence
National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) 1986 IPS Ramphal Pawar New Delhi Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Serving as a repository of information on crime and criminals
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) 1986 IPS Satya Narayan Pradhan New Delhi Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Combating drug trafficking and illegal substance usage
Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) 1968 Samant Goel New Delhi Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Gathering information about counter-proliferation, foreign intelligence, and counter-terrorism
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) 1944 IRS Vivek Johri New Delhi Ministry of Finance Administering Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics in India
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) 1942 Subodh Kumar Jaiswal New Delhi Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Investigating bribery, governmental corruption, and breaches of central laws
Intelligence Bureau (IB) 1887 Arvind Kumar New Delhi Ministry of Home Affairs Handling domestic internal security and counter-intelligence
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) 2004 Sanjay Bahl New Delhi Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Dealing with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing
 
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