Context:
A former RAW official was charged in the US over the plot to murder Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Research and Analysis Wing (RAW):
- Genesis – Established in 1968 to handle India’s international intelligence affairs.
- Until 1968, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was responsible for India’s internal intelligence and also handled external intelligence.
- However, after the 1962 China-India war and the Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, India established a separate and distinct external intelligence organization.
- Under the aegis of – Prime Minister’s Office.
- Mandate – Collecting military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations.
- Monitoring terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India.
- Headquartered in New Delhi.
- Head of RAW is designated as the Secretary (Research) in the Cabinet Secretariat and is under the authority of the Prime Minister of India without parliamentary oversight.
- On an administrative basis, the Director of RAW reports to the Cabinet Secretary, who reports to the Prime Minister.
Intelligence Bureau (IB):
- Internal intelligence agency of India which gather intelligence from within India
- It also execute counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism tasks, following the 1951 recommendations of the Himmatsinhji Committee (also known as the North and North-East Border Committee)
- Functions under the aegis of – Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Headquartered in New Delhi.
- Draws its employees from law enforcement agencies such as the Indian Police Service (IPS), the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and the military.
- IB director is part of the Strategic Policy Group and the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) of the National Security Council, and reports directly to the Prime Minister.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements:
1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government.
2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security.
3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the States/Union Territories.