How To Join Intelligence Bureau(IB) and Research And Analysis Wing(RAW)

How To Join RAW – Research and Analysis Wing:

RAW or Research and Analysis Wing, of India is her primary foreign intelligence agency. Intelligence Bureau used to take care of the foreign intelligence too, along with the intelligence inside the country, until 1968, when the foundation of RAW was laid. The primary reason fueling the formation of R&AW in 1968 was the gap in intelligence exposed in the 1962 and 1965 wars, which India fought. It was founded mainly to focus on China and Pakistan, R&AW claims to have taken part in several incidents like the 1971 war, India’s growing influence in Afghanistan, the accession of Sikkim, security of India’s nuclear program etc. Over time, RAW’s objectives have been broadened to include:

• Monitoring the political and military developments in adjoining countries, which have direct bearing on India’s national security and in the formulation of its foreign policy.
• Seeking the control and limitation of the supply of military hardware to Pakistan, mostly from European countries, the United States, and China.

Here we are going to tell the candidates how to join this prestigious institution. Though there is no concrete information available regarding the structure of R&AW, considering the level of secrecy and classified operations R&AW undertakes. It can be said that R&AW started off as a very small organization with a few hundreds of employees, and now its family has grown to be in thousands.

How to join Raw

Initially, R&AW had primarily trained intelligence officers who were recruited directly. These belonged to the external wing of the Intelligence Bureau. Then came a time when they needed to expand their family, at that time many candidates were taken from the military, police and the Indian Revenue Service. Later, R&AW began directly recruiting graduates from universities. However owing to allegations of nepotism in appointments, in 1983 R&AW created its own service cadre, the Research and Analysis Service (RAS) to absorb talent from other Group A Civil Services, under the Central Staffing Scheme.

Direct recruitment is made at Class I executive level from Civil services officers undergoing Foundation course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. At the end of the course, R&AW conducts a campus interview. Based on a selection of psychological tests and the interview, candidates are inducted into RAW for a lien period of one year. During this period, they have an option of rejoining their parent service (if they wish to) after which they can be permanently absorbed into the Research and Analysis Service. Delhi-based security think tank Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses noted in one of its reports that R&AW suffered from the ‘tail-end syndrome’ where the ‘bottom of the entrance lists’ of those qualifying the UPSC examinations were offered jobs. Additionally, recruitment is also by lateral deputation from the Officer corps of Armed Forces or Group A Civil Service Officers. The Civil and Defence Service Officers permanently resign their cadre and join the RAS. However, according to recent reports, officers can return to their parent cadre after serving a specific period in the agency if they wish to. Most of the secretaries have been officers from the IPS and other posts are held by IRS and IFS officers. R&AW also employs a number of linguists and other experts in various fields. The service conditions of RAW officers are governed by the Research and Analysis Wing (Recruitment, Cadre and Service) Rules, 1975.

The most important qualification to become a spy 
The first thing is you must realise if you are going to become a  spy is that the things you see spies doing in films and on television or  read about in novels are not even slightly realistic. You will not kill  people. You will not drive fast cars. You will not seduce attractive  foreigners. You will not defuse bombs with only seconds to spare. For  many intelligence roles you probably won't even get a gun.

Most people realise that James Bond and Jason Bourne are not realistic, but even supposedly realistic spies, like the ones John Le Carré writes about, are not much like real spying.

Here’s what Somerset Maugham, who was a spy for MI6, said about being a real spy in his novel Ashenden: 

The work of the agent in the Intelligence Department is on the whole extremely monotonous. A lot of it is uncommonly useless. 

One movie that was quite realistic (although about MI5 not R&AW) was  Complicit. It might be worth watching that. 

So, let’s summarise the most important lesson about becoming a spy:  there will be no guns, no fighting, no fast cars and no sexy foreign  agents. Instead there will be lots of normal, boring hard work, like any  job.

Are you sure you want to do this?

 Basic Criteria 
Still here? Right, let’s talk about how to become an intelligence officer for R&AW.

  Remember  
Intelligence agencies have lots of other roles besides intelligence  officer. Translators, analysts, and IT work are less glamorous, but just  as vital. 

Basic requirements to become a spy

•   Don’t get in trouble with the law.   Any criminal record is likely to end your application.
•   Don’t do drugs.   Drug tests are often given to applicants. Drug addiction is not tolerated.
•   Go to university.   Most intelligence  organisations including R&AW expect their officers to have a good education.
•   Be ready to travel.   Most spies have to travel to foreign countries. There are roles without travel but you will limit your chances.
•   Be a citizen.   You must be a citizen of your country and so must the rest of your close family.

So those are the basic criteria. But getting a job in intelligence is  very competitive. So you need to do more to stand out. Here’s a few suggestions:

 Advanced Criteria

• Learn a foreign language      Preferably the language of your country’s enemies. Even better, learn a  relatively obscure language – you will have less competition.
• Do some sport.   Being fit won't do any harm, and it looks good on your CV.
• Don’t tell your friends you’re applying.   Spying is about being discreet. If you can't keep your friends unaware, then you aren't going to make it.
• Show you can work long hours.   Get a job that demonstrates your discipline and commitment. Being a spy is not a 9-5  job. Often a case really is a matter of life and death and you won't be  able to go home until it is resolved.
• Show leadership.  Military service might be an advantage here or some other leadership position.
• Don't hide anything.   If you dabbled with drugs once or have a minor conviction they will find out, and if you try to hide it they will think you’re unreliable and untrustworthy.
• Keep out of debt.   Some debt is OK, but don't show any sign of financial irresponsibility, you could be vulnerable to pressure or bribery.

Apply
The Research and Analysis Wing doesn't have a website, so it’s harder to apply to become a spy for them. However, jobs advertised as  Deputy Field Officer, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India are thought to be recruiting for R&AW. 

Otherwise entrance through the   National Academy of Administration may be possible.

Vetting
The application process for an intelligence officer position is much  like that for any job, with rounds of interviews and tests. There is  though one big difference: extensive checks into your character,  reliability and judgement. Some intelligence organisations call this a  background check, others call it positive vetting, national security  vetting or developed vetting.

What is vetting? 
Vetting builds a complete a picture of you to make sure you won’t be a  security risk. This to make sure that nothing in your life will make  you vulnerable to bribery or blackmail. You will have to show and give  evidence of your:

• Family background
• Drug use and any other addictions (e.g. gambling)
• Mental health
• Finances
• Political views
• Travel to foreign countries

All the information you offer will be double checked and you’ll need to show proof. For example, all the following documents:

• Identity Documents
• Marriage/partnership documents
• References for employment, education and character
• Bills
• Bank, savings, loans and other credit details accounts