The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW or R&AW) is an external intelligence agency of the Republic of India. It was formed in September 1968 under the helmsman-ship of its first Director, R. N. Kao. Its creation was necessitated by the poor performance of the Intelligence Bureau (IB, which then handled both internal and external intelligence) in the wars against China (1962) and the Pakistan (1965) convinced the government that a specialized, independent agency was required for competent external intelligence gathering.
The primary function of the RAW is collection of external intelligence and counter-terrorism. In addition, it is responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and persons, to advise Indian policymakers. It has been said that RAW is the "effective instrument of India's national power". RAW is also involved in the security of India's nuclear programme. The working of the RAW is not answerable to the Parliament of India but directly to the Prime Minister of India.
Headquartered in New Delhi, RAW's current director is Sanjeev Tripathi, a 1973-batch Uttar Pradesh-cadre Indian Police Service officer who later shifted to the RAW Allied Service (RAS) cadre.
The Prime Minister-headed Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has cleared the name of Alok Joshi as head of the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW). Mr Joshi, who will take over from Sanjeev Tripathi as RAW chief, has vast experience in internal and external intelligence gathering.
Read more about Research And Analysis Wing: Objectives, Organization, Secretaries, Designations, Recruitment, Training, Functions and Methods, Major Operations, Controversies, Counter Terrorism, Defections & Spy Scandals, In Popular Culture
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