View source for List of Indian intelligence agencies

{{Short description|Intelligence agencies of India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
[[India]] has a number of [[intelligence agencies]], of which the best known are the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW), India's external intelligence agency, and the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] (IB), the domestic intelligence agency, responsible for counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism and overall internal security.

==National Technical Research Organization==
{{Main|National Technical Research Organisation|National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre|National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development}}
The '''National Technical Research Organisation''' ('''NTRO''')<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://ntro.gov.in/ |title = National Technical Research Organisation}}</ref> is a [[technical intelligence]] agency under the [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]] in the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister's Office]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/06/stories/2007050609000400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508182210/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/06/stories/2007050609000400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2007 |title=Technical research agency planned in State |date= 6 May 2007 |access-date=26 December 2008 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |author=Special Correspondent}}</ref> It was set up in 2004.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/content_mail.php?option=com_content&name=print&id=1067 |title=Spy versus spy |author=Sandeep Unnithan |magazine=India Today |date= 7 September 2007 |access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref> It also includes the '''National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre''' ('''NCIIPC''') and the '''National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development''' ('''NICRD''') for [[Cryptography|cryptologic]] education and research, which is first of its kind in [[Asia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://im.rediff.com/news/2007/may/05tech.htm |title=Top tech body to come up in Hyderabad |author=Syed Amin |work=Rediff.com |date= 5 May 2007 |access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref>

==Research and Analysis Wing==
{{Main |Research and Analysis Wing}}
'''Research and Analysis Wing''' ('''R&AW''') is the primary [[intelligence agency|foreign intelligence agency]] of India. The agency's primary function is gathering foreign [[Intelligence assessment|intelligence]], [[counter-terrorism]], [[counterproliferation]], advising Indian policymakers, and advancing India's foreign strategic interests. It is also involved in the security of [[India and weapons of mass destruction|India's nuclear programme]].

===Aviation Research Centre===
{{main|Aviation Research Centre}}
[[Image:MiG-25RB cams.jpg|thumb|Cameras of [[MiG-25RB]] for aerial surveillance]]
The '''Aviation Research Centre''' ('''ARC''') is a part of the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (R&AW) of the Cabinet Secretariat (Special Requirements) [[India]]. The first head of the ARC was [[R. N. Kao]], the founding chief of R&AW. Over the years the ARC has grown into a large operation and flies a large and varied fleet.
[[Aerial surveillance]], [[SIGINT]] operations, [[photo reconnaissance]] flights (PHOTINT),<ref>[http://www.cvni.net/radio/nsnl/nsnl052/nsnl52in.html NSNL 52 - Intelligence profile : India]</ref> monitoring of borders, [[imagery intelligence]] (IMINT)<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.ciaonet.org/olj/sa/sa_nov00anv01.html | title=CIAO}}</ref> are the main functions of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC). The aircraft are fitted with state-of-the-art electronic surveillance equipment and long range cameras capable of taking pictures of targets from very high altitudes. ARC also takes the responsibility along with the [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] to transport [[Special Frontier Force]] (SFF) [[commandos]] from their trans-location at Sarsawa, 250&nbsp;km north of [[New Delhi]], though the SFF's own base is in [[Chakrata]] in [[Uttarakhand]] state.

===Radio Research Centre===
The '''Radio Research Centre''' ('''RRC''') is a part of the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (R&AW) of the Cabinet Secretariat (Special Requirements) [[India]]. The RRC is a premier communication and signal intelligence agency of India. RRC's tasks include – communication with the embassies abroad, send cyphered code to agents stationed abroad, interception fixed line and wireless communication and the department closely works with the [[Joint Cipher Bureau|Joint Cypher Bureau]]. The RRC has offices all across the country and the perform the intercepts communication and sends code.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Radio Research Centre (RRC)|url=http://indranetworks.in/radio-research-centre/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912002036/http://indranetworks.in/radio-research-centre/|archive-date=12 September 2016|website={{!}}url=https://indranetworks.in/}}</ref>

===Electronics and Technical Services===
{{main|Electronics and Technical Services}}
The '''Electronics and Technical Services''' ('''ETS''') is the [[Electronic Intelligence]] (ELINT) arm of India's external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). Established in the mid-1980s under the leadership of then R&AW's chief N. F. Suntook, the organisation, it is housed in the CGO complex in New Delhi. ETS is believed to be involved in ELINT roles, not restricted but also includes jamming and spoofing - [[Electronic Warfare]] (EW). ETS also involved in [[Electronic Surveillance Measures]] (ESMs), [[Telemetry]] (TELINT), Tracking and monitoring data links, interception and monitoring of navigation signals and other ELINT and EW methods.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Strengthening India's External Intelligence Infrastructure: An Assessment|url=https://www.sspconline.org/sites/default/files/india-external-intelligence_0.pdf}}</ref>

==Intelligence Bureau==
{{Main|Intelligence Bureau (India)}}
The '''Intelligence Bureau''' ('''IB''') is India's internal [[intelligence agency]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/irp/world/india/ib/index.html |title=Intelligence bureau (IB) - India Intelligence Agencies |publisher=Fas.org |date=30 May 2008 |access-date=9 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126051106/http://www.fas.org/irp/world/india/ib/index.html |archive-date=26 November 2012 }}</ref> The Intelligence Bureau (IB) ([[Hindi]]: आसूचना ब्यूरो; IAST: āsūcanā byūro) is India's domestic internal security and counter-intelligence agency under [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. It was founded in 1887 as Serval Intelligence Branch, and is reputed to be the oldest such [[organization]] in the world.

==National Investigation Agency==
{{excerpt|National Investigation Agency}}

==National Cyber Coordination Centre==
{{main|National Cyber Coordination Centre}}
The '''National Cyber Coordination Centre''' ('''NCCC''') is an operational [[cybersecurity]] and e-surveillance agency in India. It is intended to screen communication [[metadata]] and co-ordinate the [[Intelligence (military)|intelligence]] gathering activities of other agencies.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cyber-protection-body-pushes-ahead/article1-1174753.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119201552/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cyber-protection-body-pushes-ahead/article1-1174753.aspx | archive-date=19 January 2014 | title=Cyber protection body pushes ahead - Hindustan Times }}</ref>

==Directorate of Revenue Intelligence==
{{main|Directorate of Revenue Intelligence|Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs}}
The '''Directorate of Revenue Intelligence''' ('''DRI''') is an Indian intelligence agency. It is India's apex anti-smuggling intelligence, investigations and operations agency. The DRI is run by officers from the '''Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs''' ('''CBIC''') who are posted in its various Zonal Units as well as in Indian embassies abroad as part of the Customs Overseas Intelligence Network. It is headed by a Director General of the rank of Special Secretary to the Government of India. The Agency works to secure India's national and economic security by preventing the outright smuggling of [[contraband]] such as firearms, gold, [[narcotics]], [[counterfeit currency|counterfeit]] [[Indian currency]] notes, antiques, wildlife and environmental products. Moreover, it also works to prevent the proliferation of [[black money]], trade based [[money laundering]] and commercial [[fraud]]s.

==Joint Cipher Bureau==
{{excerpt|Joint Cipher Bureau|paragraphs=2-4}}

==All India Radio Monitoring Service==
{{main|All India Radio Monitoring Service}}
'''All India Radio Monitoring Service''' ('''AIRMS''') is the central monitoring service that monitors broadcasts in India as well as from all foreign broadcasts of Interest to India.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sandeep Balakrishna |url=http://www.niticentral.com/2012/09/intel-agencies-fact-fiction.html |title=Intel agencies: Fact & Fiction |publisher=Niti Central |access-date=2013-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127084111/http://www.niticentral.com/2012/09/intel-agencies-fact-fiction.html |archive-date=27 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> AIRMS is located in [[Shimla]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Ball|first=Desmond|title=Signals intelligence (SIGINT) in South Asia : India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (Ceylon)|year=1996|publisher=Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Research School of Pacific Studies, Australian National University|location=Canberra, Australia|isbn=0731524837|page=27}}</ref> It works in liaison with [[R&AW]] and [[Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)|Military intelligence]].

==Defence Intelligence Agency==
{{Main|Defence Intelligence Agency (India)}}
The '''Defence Intelligence Agency''' ('''DIA''') was established on 5 March 2002 with the appointment of Lt. General [[Kamal Davar]] as the first [[Director General]] (DG). The DG reports to the [[Chief of Defence Staff (India)|Chief of Defence Staff]] (CDS). It is supposed to be the nodal agency for all defence-related intelligence, thus distinguishing it from the [[R&AW]]. Much of the agency's budget and operations are classified.

DIA has control of MoD's prized technical intelligence assets – the Directorate of Signals Intelligence and the '''Defence Image Processing and Analysis Centre''' ('''DIPAC'''). While the Signals Directorate is responsible for acquiring and decrypting enemy communications, the DIPAC controls India's satellite-based image acquisition capabilities. The DIA also controls the '''Defence Information Warfare Agency''' ('''DIWA''') which handles all elements of the information warfare repertoire, including psychological operations, cyber-war, electronic intercepts and the monitoring of sound waves. Before the creation of the Defence Intelligence Agency, the military intelligence capability of India's armed forces was limited to '''Field Intelligence Units''' ('''FIU''') and separate intelligence arms of the services.<ref name="FAS">{{cite web|title=Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/india/dia.htm|publisher=Global Security.org|access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> These distinct services were not able to effectively coordinate intelligence operations and sharing of information.<ref name="A">{{cite journal |title=Narcotics Control Bureau - Ministry of Finance |url=http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/budget/annual_report/9596rev7.PDF |url-status=dead |publisher=[[National Informatics Center]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716105952/http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/budget/annual_report/9596rev7.PDF |archive-date=16 July 2011 |access-date=2009-07-19}}</ref> The armed forces also heavily relied on civilian intelligence agencies such as the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] and the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]].<ref name="FAS"/> With wide-ranging resources and functions, the DIA will be superior to and coordinate the [[Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Military Intelligence]], [[Directorate of Air Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Air Intelligence]] and the [[Directorate of Naval Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Naval Intelligence.]]<ref name="A"/>

==Signals Intelligence Directorate==
The '''Signals Intelligence Directorate''' is a joint service organisation, composed of personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force. It has a large number of '''Wireless Experimental Units''' ('''WEUs''') that carry out the task of monitoring military links of other countries.

==Central Monitoring Organisation==
The '''Central Monitoring Organisation''' ('''CMO''') is directly under the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]]. It has several monitoring companies, located at different locations around the country. Task is to monitor the use of radio spectrum by all users, such as Defence, [[Law enforcement in India|Police]], AIR, [[Indian railways|Railways]], [[Public sector undertakings in India|PSUs]], etc.

==Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring==
{{Main|Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring|Department of Telecommunications}}
The '''Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring''' ('''TERM'''), formerly known as '''Vigilance Telecom Monitoring (VTM)''', is the vigilance and monitoring wing of the Indian '''Department of Telecommunications''' ('''DoT''').<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/thomas-k-thomas/radiation-dots-monitoring-wing-to-inspect-tower-sites/article20482507.ece | title=Radiation: DoT's monitoring wing to inspect tower sites | date=30 July 2012 }}</ref>  TERM is made up of 34 [[Clandestine cell system|cells]] in India's 22 telecom circles and 10 large telecom districts. The main functions of TERM Cells are vigilance, monitoring and security of the network.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/English%20annual%20report%202007-08_0.pdf | title= }}</ref> Apart from this, TERM Cells also operate the [[Central Monitoring System]] (CMS), a clandestine mass electronic surveillance program, and carry out other functions.<ref>https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR_English_2008-09_0.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|India}}
* [[Indian Computer Emergency Response Team]]
* [[Central Monitoring System]]
* [[Central Bureau of Investigation]]
* [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)]]
* [[DRDO NETRA|NETRA]]
* [[Enforcement Directorate]] 
* [[Law enforcement in India]]
* [[Anti-Terrorism Squad|Anti Terrorism Squad]]
* [[Mass surveillance in India]]
* [[Multi-Agency Centre|Multi Agency Centre (India)]]
* [[NATGRID]]
* [[National Investigation Agency]]
* [[NIA Most Wanted]] 
* [[National Crime Records Bureau]]
* [[Bharatpol]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Military Intelligence in India: An Analysis Bhashyam Kasturi: The [http://www.indiandefencereview.com/ Indian Defence Review], 1997
* Cryptography Technology and Policy Directions in the Context of NII Gulshan Rai, R.K.Dubash, and A.K.Chakravarti. Information Technology Group Dept. of Electronics Govt. of India December, 1997

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Indian intelligence agencies}}

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