How to Join RAW in India? Know UPSC, Defence, IB Intelligence Officer Eligibility, Selection Process 2023
How to Join RAW? The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) recruits its officers and agents in different ways. One of the ways to join RAW in India is through UPSC Civil Services Exam (Group-A IAS, IPS, IRS & IFS Officers). In this article, we shall discuss a brief overview of RAW, how to join RAW, eligibility, selection process, salary, ranks, and responsibilities of a RAW agent in India.
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The Research and Analysis Wing, also known as RAW is the foreign intelligence agency of India. RAQ was founded on September 21, 1968. Its primary function is gathering foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, advising Indian policymakers, and advancing India's foreign strategic interests. The agency is also involved in the Security of India's Nuclear Programme.
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How to Join RAW?
Earlier, RAW recruited trained intelligence officers directly who belonged to the external wing of the Intelligence Bureau. Later, RAW started recruiting graduates from Universities. In 1983, RAW established the Research and Analysis Wing (RAS) to select talent from Group A Civil Services under the Central Staffing Scheme.
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Recruitment of Class I/Group A officers is carried out from the pool of Civil Services Officers pursuing the Foundation Course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. We have discussed the process in detail further in this article. Additionally, RAW also conducts the recruitment through lateral deputation from the Officers Corps of Armed Forces or Group A Civil Service Officers. Most of the ranks of Secretaries have been filled up by intaking officers from the IPS, IFS, and IRS cadre.
How RAW Officers are recruited?
Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) recruits candidates from government departments in India, Armed forces, Intelligence Agencies, Police Services, Administrative Services, etc. However, this does not mean selection in RAW only happens from these services.
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Eligibility to Become a RAW Agent
Both good Educational Qualification & remarkable work experience is required to become a RAW Agent. It is very difficult to be a part of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India. A candidate must be fit, both physically and mentally, to get selected for this prestigious organization.
| RAW Agent Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
| Education |
A Graduation Degree from a reputed organization or institute is a must for getting a job opportunity in RAW. Sometimes it is necessary to have a command of one foreign language. Candidates should have sharp memory power and good communication skills. |
| Age |
Although there is no specific age limit it is desirable the candidates’ age should be below 56 years |
| Professional Experience |
It is preferred that the candidate must have experience of more than 20 years in the service |
| Nationality |
A Candidate must be an Indian citizen. The candidate must not have any criminal background or any pending cases in court. |
RAW Officer Recruitment through UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE)
Many times RAW officers are chosen amongst the pool of brilliant candidates who have already cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam and have opted to become IPS & IFS Officers.
Selection in RAW happens only after a Civil Servant completes a foundation course from Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
At the end of the course, RAW conducts interviews and psychological tests. Shortlisted candidates start working at RAW for a period of one year.
Union Public Service Commission conducts to recruit suitable candidates for civil services of India including IAS, IPS, IFS, and other allied services. The UPSC Civil Services Exam consists of three phases: UPSC Prelims, UPSC Main & Personality Test, or UPSC Interview.
| RAW Officer Recruitment through UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) |
||
| Post Name |
IAS, IPS, IRS & IFS Officer |
|
| Official Website for Registration |
upsc.gov.in |
|
| Classification |
Group ‘A’ services |
|
| Salary |
The basic per month salary of an IAS officer starts at Rs.56,100 (TA, DA and HRA are extra) |
|
| Age Limit |
The candidate must not be less than 21 years of age and more than 32 years of age |
|
| Upper Age Limit |
Categories |
Upper Age Limit Relaxation |
| Schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribes |
5 Years |
|
| Other Backward Class |
3 Years |
|
| Defence Services Personnel, disabled in operations during hostilities with any foreign country or in a disturbed area and released as a consequence thereof |
3 Years |
|
| Ex-servicemen including commissioned officers and ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least five years of military service |
5 Years |
|
| EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION (Essential & Desired)
|
Candidate must hold a Bachelor's Degree from any of the recognized universities |
|
| Selection Process |
The Indian Civil Service Exam (UPSC Civil Services Exam) is conducted in three stages: Civil Services Exam (Preliminary) – Objective Type Civil Services Exam (Main) – Descriptive Type Personality Test / Interview |
|
RAW Postings & Promotional Hierarchy
The Headquarters of RAW is located in New Delhi. The head of R&AW 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 reports to the Cabinet Secretary, who reports to the Prime Minister.
Ranks in RAW
There are various ranks in the RAW. Below, we have mentioned the list of ranks and officer group categories in RAW. All the ranks have different responsibilities.
| Ranks |
Officer Group |
| Secretary/Additional Secretary (R) |
Class I/ Group A Officers |
| Joint Secretary |
Class I/ Group A Officers |
| Director/Deputy Secretary/Attache |
Class I/ Group A Officers |
| Senior Field Officer |
Group A Officers |
| Field Officer |
Group A Officers |
| Deputy Field Officer |
Group A Officers |
| Assistant Field Officer |
Group B Officers |
Job Profile of a RAW Agent
The job profile of a RAW agent includes monitoring the political and military developments in countries surrounding India. Below, we have listed the key roles and responsibilities of a RAW agent in India.
| S. No. |
Job Profile of a RAW Agent |
| 1 |
Gathering foreign intelligence |
| 2 |
Conducting counter-terrorism operations |
| 3 |
Advising policymakers in the country |
| 4 |
Counterproliferation |
| 5 |
Securing the nuclear program of the country |
Work Mechanism of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)
RAW provides intelligence support to various significant operations on foreign soil. It works closely with India’s Intelligence Organizations like Intelligence Bureau (IB). The agency collects military, economic, scientific, and political intelligence through covert and overt operations. It also deals in monitoring terrorist elements and smuggling rings that transport weapons and ammunition into India. RAW primarily focuses on India’s neighbors. The collected inputs by RAW also help Indian officials, which are further used in national security policy and revise foreign policy.