Research and Analysis Wing is the full form of RAW. It is an external intelligence organization of Indian Government; You may call it ‘ A mystery division’. RAW is an autonomous office; It implies the office work in its particular manner and it works under the PMO office. The data exchanged between PMO and RAW, are exceptionally secret.
What is RAW in India?
In basic words, RAW is keeping its eyes on different nations’ advancements in each field which is identified with India, since 1968. Research Officers or Agents are posted in some of the most dangerous parts of the world to fulfil the duty of their country. Since its inception, RAW is credited with providing intelligence support to many significant missions on foreign land.
If you are thinking of applying in RAW, you should reconsider. You will not be given any credit, irrespective of how big your contribution was to the mission. If you have no issue with this but wish to achieve something for your nation, then RAW is the place for you.
Also Read: Do RAW Officers Receive more Benefits and Facilities than IAS/IPS/IFS?
How to Join RAW in India?
In the beginning, RAW relied primarily on trained intelligence officers who were recruited directly. These belonged to the external wing of the IB. Candidates are recruited from the Indian Armed Forces, Indian Police Service, and the Indian Revenue Service, and other Class A Central Government Organizations.
Later, RAW began to recruit individuals directly from universities. In 1983 RAW created its own service cadre, the Research and Analysis Service (RAS) which absorbs officers and talent from other group A services under the central staffing scheme.
Direct recruitment at Class I executive level is from Civil Services officers undergoing foundation course at the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. RAW conducts campus interviews once the course is completed . Based on their performance in multiple psychological tests and the interview, candidates are inducted into RAW for a period of one year. The aspirants have a choice to rejoin their parent service or they can be permanently absorbed in the Research and Analysis Service.
Also Read: What Police Related Job Can I Take Up During My Preparation for IPS?
How to Join RAW?
Additionally, recruitment is also done by the lateral deputation from the officer corps of Armed forces or Group A civil service officers. The civil and defence service officers can permanently resign their cadre and join the Research and Analysis Service, However, according to recent reports, officers can return to their parent cadre after serving a specific period in the agency if you wish to.
Almost all officers who have been admitted in RAW belong to the IPS or hold high posts in the IRS and the IFS. RAW also employs a number of individuals who are experts in various fields like linguistics, technology and many more.
Also Read: How to Become a RAW Officer after Clearing the UPSC Exam? How to Join RAW in India?
What are the Duties of a RAW Officer?
Your foremost duty as a RAW agent is to keep your ears and eyes open, observe and analyse any development around you and inform it to your superiors if it is a matter of national security. You also have to befriend contacts in various other secret services and you need to collect information from them. Very often, you will be tasked to collect intelligence on specific issues or special operations, either inside or outside the country. You will be trained for carrying out special tasks also.
The objectives of R&AW include:
- RAW monitors the military, political scientific and economic developments in countries which have a direct relation with India’s national security and forming their foreign policy.
- Covert Operations to safeguard India’s National interests.
- RAW neutralises any threats against the country.
The Different Posts offered after Joining RAW
The full form of RAW is the Research and Analysis Wing. The different jobs offered by Research and Analysis Wing are going to be in these specific fields:
Director of RAW or RAW Chief of India
Becoming the chief of RAW is a huge responsibility, and that’s why you need to be highly qualified to handle it. The greater part of the directors are from Indian Police Services ( IPS ); and other 1st grade administrations. An applicant who is as of now filling in as a Grade 1 official in government divisions, for example, military, intelligence organizations and so forth; might be deputed as a RAW agent of India.
Field Officers
These are the real heroes of RAW, A field official who works in difficult circumstances. These officials are additionally completed from intelligence offices, police administrations, military administrations and so on.
Analyst
An analyst is one of the most important fields of the Research & Analysis Wing. You will be generally posted at a desk job, but you will be playing a great role in helping out the agents and the organization.
Expert
RAW is having a board of specialists in different fields; regardless of whether you are a penmanship master, a super PC programmer or some other unique one, RAW has a great deal of opportunity for you.
Also read: 7 Websites that you Should Visit Amp up Your UPSC Exam Preparation Strategy
What is the Lifestyle of a RAW Agent?
The applicants ought to understand the privacy of these secret organizations of the public arena. Whatever missions or orders are given to them are never shared with the public. You cannot even share them with your parents, spouses or even friends.
You get an opportunity to travel and learn foreign languages which can prove beneficial during a mission. You will have to do a lot of research work, around your mission and will have to attend tons of meetings. Secret operations at times can get too risky.
If you are exposed to anyone then you have to stand your ground and you will need to survive the gruelling cross-examination of your enemy. You will have to follow a lead, target, get info, and report the day to day activities of the mission to your superior.
Sometimes you will have to meet corrupt officials but you should know how to extract information from them. Your country and government will discard you if you are arrested in an operation outside your nation.
Training of a RAW Agent
Before becoming a RAW agent you will need to go two types of rigorous training which last for a couple of years:
Basic Training
Basic Training lasts for 10 days and here you get familiarised with the real world of surveillance and espionage. The aspirants will also get a basic knowledge of information security, space technology, scientific knowledge, insight to financial and economic topics, geostrategic analysis, and will get to know more about energy security.
Advanced Training
Shortly after finishing ‘Basic Training’ they are shipped off to the Field Intelligence Bureau (FIB) which goes on for around 1 to 2 years where they are instructed how to survive in cool territories, jungles and so forth. They are also instructed on how they will manage or oversee their secret operations. They are likewise shown penetration and ex-filtration in real-world conditions and how to avoid getting caught, how to face cross-examination from enemy forces if caught. They are also taught how to contact pre-existing agents in the area or territory to which they are assigned.
Qualities Needed to be a Raw Agent
RAW looks for the following qualities in an agent:
- The candidate should have a good practical and academic orientation
- The aspirant should be good at keeping secrets, should be an introvert, extrovert or an ambivert depending on the situation.
- The candidate should be ready to work under high-pressure situations and not succumb to them.
- The candidate should be street smart and ready to handle high-pressure situations.
- The aspirant should be well disciplined and should have a stomach for adventure.
- The candidate should be ready to follow directions and orders from his superiors.
- The candidate should be physically fit, and if he or she has a background in sports then it is a plus point.
Is it Necessary to appear in UPSC Examinations to get Selected for RAW?
Candidates who are interested in working for the Research & Analysis Wing must understand that no direct exams are conducted for recruitment. Candidates must appear for any of the UPSC examinations if they wish to join RAW.
Candidates are selected based on the rank obtained in UPSC examinations and fulfilment of eligibility criteria. Students can also apply via lateral entry but that is only applicable for government employees working in some specific departments and should have a specific level of experience.
Also read: Do UPSC Aspirants always sincerely Follow all the Advice Given by UPSC Toppers?
Who are Some of the Famous RAW Agents
Generally RAW keeps the identities of its agents secret due to security issues, but some agents catch the eye of the Indian Public due to their achievements. Some of the famous RAW agents are:
Ravindra Kaushik
Ravindra Kaushik is one of the most well known RAW agents. He was a well-known theatre artist in Lucknow and that’s where he caught the eye of some officials belonging to the Indian Intelligence Service. He was offered the job of a RAW agent at the age of 23, and he was sent to Pakistan on a mission. In 1975 he went to Pakistan under an alias. He successfully got admitted at Karachi University, from where he completed his LLB degree. He joined the Pakistan Army and became a commissioned officer and later was promoted to the rank of a Major. He married a local girl Amanat and became the father of a girl.
Till 1983, while he was enrolled in the military service, he passed on valuable information to RAW which was of great help to the Indian armed forces. India was able to stay steps ahead of Pakistan because of the information provided by Ravindra Kaushik.
R. N. Kao
Rameshwar Nath Kao, the legendary spymaster of India. Kao founded India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing in the 1960s. He and his officers under him played a vital role in the merger of Sikkim in India. He handled some of the most famous cases such as the ‘ Kashmir Probe’ and he also had a huge contribution in the liberation of Bangladesh.
Amar Bhushan
Amar Bhushan is a former special secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Bhushan was the head of the agency till he retired in 2005, and is now a successful writer who lives in New York. He has now masked identities to reveal what’s the unmistakable story of the investigator and escape of Rabinder Singh — the former Army major who was discovered to be a CIA mole.
Conclusion
Students wishing to join RAW should have an excellent personality and grades from high school till the University level. It would help if you had also done well in sports. Students are selected for the Research & Analysis Wing based on marks and rank obtained in the UPSC exams, so they should be well prepared. They should have a good knowledge of current affairs and they should make newspapers their best friend.
Preparing for UPSC is a tough ask, and the best way to prepare for these exams is via personal mentors. This is the best way to ensure one’s constant improvement. The personal mentors offered by UPSC pathshala for preparation have years of experience. They help in solving your doubts and also help you improve in your weak areas. You can check out the courses offered by us, and can also visit UPSC Pathshala to read more such blogs.Research and Analysis Wing is the full form of RAW. It is an external intelligence organization of Indian Government; You may call it ‘ A mystery division’. RAW is an autonomous office; It implies the office work in its particular manner and it works under the PMO office. The data exchanged between PMO and RAW, are exceptionally secret.
What is RAW in India?
In basic words, RAW is keeping its eyes on different nations’ advancements in each field which is identified with India, since 1968. Research Officers or Agents are posted in some of the most dangerous parts of the world to fulfil the duty of their country. Since its inception, RAW is credited with providing intelligence support to many significant missions on foreign land.
If you are thinking of applying in RAW, you should reconsider. You will not be given any credit, irrespective of how big your contribution was to the mission. If you have no issue with this but wish to achieve something for your nation, then RAW is the place for you.
Also Read: Do RAW Officers Receive more Benefits and Facilities than IAS/IPS/IFS?
How to Join RAW in India?
In the beginning, RAW relied primarily on trained intelligence officers who were recruited directly. These belonged to the external wing of the IB. Candidates are recruited from the Indian Armed Forces, Indian Police Service, and the Indian Revenue Service, and other Class A Central Government Organizations.
Later, RAW began to recruit individuals directly from universities. In 1983 RAW created its own service cadre, the Research and Analysis Service (RAS) which absorbs officers and talent from other group A services under the central staffing scheme.
Direct recruitment at Class I executive level is from Civil Services officers undergoing foundation course at the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. RAW conducts campus interviews once the course is completed . Based on their performance in multiple psychological tests and the interview, candidates are inducted into RAW for a period of one year. The aspirants have a choice to rejoin their parent service or they can be permanently absorbed in the Research and Analysis Service.
Also Read: What Police Related Job Can I Take Up During My Preparation for IPS?
How to Join RAW?
Additionally, recruitment is also done by the lateral deputation from the officer corps of Armed forces or Group A civil service officers. The civil and defence service officers can permanently resign their cadre and join the Research and Analysis Service, However, according to recent reports, officers can return to their parent cadre after serving a specific period in the agency if you wish to.
Almost all officers who have been admitted in RAW belong to the IPS or hold high posts in the IRS and the IFS. RAW also employs a number of individuals who are experts in various fields like linguistics, technology and many more.
Also Read: How to Become a RAW Officer after Clearing the UPSC Exam? How to Join RAW in India?
What are the Duties of a RAW Officer?
Your foremost duty as a RAW agent is to keep your ears and eyes open, observe and analyse any development around you and inform it to your superiors if it is a matter of national security. You also have to befriend contacts in various other secret services and you need to collect information from them. Very often, you will be tasked to collect intelligence on specific issues or special operations, either inside or outside the country. You will be trained for carrying out special tasks also.
The objectives of R&AW include:
- RAW monitors the military, political scientific and economic developments in countries which have a direct relation with India’s national security and forming their foreign policy.
- Covert Operations to safeguard India’s National interests.
- RAW neutralises any threats against the country.
The Different Posts offered after Joining RAW
The full form of RAW is the Research and Analysis Wing. The different jobs offered by Research and Analysis Wing are going to be in these specific fields:
Director of RAW or RAW Chief of India
Becoming the chief of RAW is a huge responsibility, and that’s why you need to be highly qualified to handle it. The greater part of the directors are from Indian Police Services ( IPS ); and other 1st grade administrations. An applicant who is as of now filling in as a Grade 1 official in government divisions, for example, military, intelligence organizations and so forth; might be deputed as a RAW agent of India.
Field Officers
These are the real heroes of RAW, A field official who works in difficult circumstances. These officials are additionally completed from intelligence offices, police administrations, military administrations and so on.
Analyst
An analyst is one of the most important fields of the Research & Analysis Wing. You will be generally posted at a desk job, but you will be playing a great role in helping out the agents and the organization.
Expert
RAW is having a board of specialists in different fields; regardless of whether you are a penmanship master, a super PC programmer or some other unique one, RAW has a great deal of opportunity for you.
Also read: 7 Websites that you Should Visit Amp up Your UPSC Exam Preparation Strategy
What is the Lifestyle of a RAW Agent?
The applicants ought to understand the privacy of these secret organizations of the public arena. Whatever missions or orders are given to them are never shared with the public. You cannot even share them with your parents, spouses or even friends.
You get an opportunity to travel and learn foreign languages which can prove beneficial during a mission. You will have to do a lot of research work, around your mission and will have to attend tons of meetings. Secret operations at times can get too risky.
If you are exposed to anyone then you have to stand your ground and you will need to survive the gruelling cross-examination of your enemy. You will have to follow a lead, target, get info, and report the day to day activities of the mission to your superior.
Sometimes you will have to meet corrupt officials but you should know how to extract information from them. Your country and government will discard you if you are arrested in an operation outside your nation.
Training of a RAW Agent
Before becoming a RAW agent you will need to go two types of rigorous training which last for a couple of years:
Basic Training
Basic Training lasts for 10 days and here you get familiarised with the real world of surveillance and espionage. The aspirants will also get a basic knowledge of information security, space technology, scientific knowledge, insight to financial and economic topics, geostrategic analysis, and will get to know more about energy security.
Advanced Training
Shortly after finishing ‘Basic Training’ they are shipped off to the Field Intelligence Bureau (FIB) which goes on for around 1 to 2 years where they are instructed how to survive in cool territories, jungles and so forth. They are also instructed on how they will manage or oversee their secret operations. They are likewise shown penetration and ex-filtration in real-world conditions and how to avoid getting caught, how to face cross-examination from enemy forces if caught. They are also taught how to contact pre-existing agents in the area or territory to which they are assigned.
Qualities Needed to be a Raw Agent
RAW looks for the following qualities in an agent:
- The candidate should have a good practical and academic orientation
- The aspirant should be good at keeping secrets, should be an introvert, extrovert or an ambivert depending on the situation.
- The candidate should be ready to work under high-pressure situations and not succumb to them.
- The candidate should be street smart and ready to handle high-pressure situations.
- The aspirant should be well disciplined and should have a stomach for adventure.
- The candidate should be ready to follow directions and orders from his superiors.
- The candidate should be physically fit, and if he or she has a background in sports then it is a plus point.
Is it Necessary to appear in UPSC Examinations to get Selected for RAW?
Candidates who are interested in working for the Research & Analysis Wing must understand that no direct exams are conducted for recruitment. Candidates must appear for any of the UPSC examinations if they wish to join RAW.
Candidates are selected based on the rank obtained in UPSC examinations and fulfilment of eligibility criteria. Students can also apply via lateral entry but that is only applicable for government employees working in some specific departments and should have a specific level of experience.
Also read: Do UPSC Aspirants always sincerely Follow all the Advice Given by UPSC Toppers?
Who are Some of the Famous RAW Agents
Generally RAW keeps the identities of its agents secret due to security issues, but some agents catch the eye of the Indian Public due to their achievements. Some of the famous RAW agents are:
Ravindra Kaushik
Ravindra Kaushik is one of the most well known RAW agents. He was a well-known theatre artist in Lucknow and that’s where he caught the eye of some officials belonging to the Indian Intelligence Service. He was offered the job of a RAW agent at the age of 23, and he was sent to Pakistan on a mission. In 1975 he went to Pakistan under an alias. He successfully got admitted at Karachi University, from where he completed his LLB degree. He joined the Pakistan Army and became a commissioned officer and later was promoted to the rank of a Major. He married a local girl Amanat and became the father of a girl.
Till 1983, while he was enrolled in the military service, he passed on valuable information to RAW which was of great help to the Indian armed forces. India was able to stay steps ahead of Pakistan because of the information provided by Ravindra Kaushik.
R. N. Kao
Rameshwar Nath Kao, the legendary spymaster of India. Kao founded India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing in the 1960s. He and his officers under him played a vital role in the merger of Sikkim in India. He handled some of the most famous cases such as the ‘ Kashmir Probe’ and he also had a huge contribution in the liberation of Bangladesh.
Amar Bhushan
Amar Bhushan is a former special secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Bhushan was the head of the agency till he retired in 2005, and is now a successful writer who lives in New York. He has now masked identities to reveal what’s the unmistakable story of the investigator and escape of Rabinder Singh — the former Army major who was discovered to be a CIA mole.
Conclusion
Students wishing to join RAW should have an excellent personality and grades from high school till the University level. It would help if you had also done well in sports. Students are selected for the Research & Analysis Wing based on marks and rank obtained in the UPSC exams, so they should be well prepared. They should have a good knowledge of current affairs and they should make newspapers their best friend.
Preparing for UPSC is a tough ask, and the best way to prepare for these exams is via personal mentors. This is the best way to ensure one’s constant improvement. The personal mentors offered by UPSC pathshala for preparation have years of experience. They help in solving your doubts and also help you improve in your weak areas. You can check out the courses offered by us, and can also visit UPSC Pathshala to read more such blogs.
