Research and Analysis Wing

Why is in news? Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer Ravi Sinha to be new chief of Research and Analysis Wing

The 1988 batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer Ravi Sinha will be the new chief of Research and Analysis Wing.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet approved the appointment Mr Sinha for a period of two years. Incumbent chief of Research and Analysis Wing Samant Kumar Goel will complete his tenure on 30th of this month.

Research and Analysis Wing:

The Research and Analysis Wing is the foreign intelligence agency of India.

The agency's primary function is gathering foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, advising Indian policymakers, and advancing India's foreign strategic interests.

It is also involved in the security of India's nuclear programme.

It was established in 1968, to handle the nation’s international intelligence affairs, RAW came into force after the China-India War in 1962.

After the 1962 China-India war and Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, India established a separate and distinct external intelligence organization – the Research and Analysis Wing.

At present, the intelligence arm operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office.

RAW provides intelligence support to various significant operations on foreign soil.

RAW works in cooperation with the Intelligence Bureau or other Indian intelligence agencies.

In 1968, R. N. Kao was appointed as the first director of RAW.

Under his leadership, RAW provided intelligence support, which resulted in India’s successful operations including

the creation of Bangladesh in 1971,

the defeat of Pakistan during the Kargil conflict of 1971,

the accession of Sikkim in 1975,

and the increase of India’s support to Afghanistan.

Working mechanism of RAW:

RAW collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations.

It also monitors terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.

It primarily focuses on India’s neighbours. The collected inputs by RAW also help Indian officials, which are further used in national security policy and revise the foreign policy.

Attached Bodies: The Aerial Reconnaissance Centre (ARC) collects high-quality overhead imagery of activities and installations in neighbouring countries.

Special Frontier Force: The inspector general of a paramilitary force of India, the Special Frontier Force reports to the director-general of security for RAW. While the force has functions independent of RAW, it is often fielded to support covert and overt RAW missions.