Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)
In India, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is an external intelligence agency of the Indian Government that deals with the recruitment of spies. This department is, thus, also known as a ‘secret department‘. RAW was established in 1968 and it works directly under the Prime Minister’s Office.
Spy Recruitment
The information that is exchanged between PMO and RAW is highly confidential. The RAW guys do not give any direct recruitment notice; instead they generally select candidates from other governmental departments in India like the armed forces, intelligence agencies, police services and administrative services.
Once a recruiter picks a potential spy, the spy is put in touch with a controller. The controller will train the spy and tell him or her how to get and send information. Typically, a spy will not be in contact with anyone else. This is called compartmentalisation. So, if a spy is captured, he or she won’t be able to give the names of other spies.
What do spies do?
A spy has two jobs – his pretend job, or cover and his actual job, of spying. Spies use codes to send information, so that it’s secure. They also misinform enemies to waste their time.
Today, research is on to develop new technological ways of collecting information from enemy locales without ever sending an actual spy to collect information.
Satellites equipped with cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can collect information without putting any lives in danger. Cyber spying is catching on too. Still, in order to retrieve the most confidential information directly from the enemy stronghold, we need to employ spies.
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