IB and RAW both play extremely important roles in India’s internal and external intelligence. IB stands for Intelligence Bureau, and RAW stands for Research and Analysis Wing of India.
The responsibilities of these two Indian intelligence agencies confuse people. So, it is important to have detailed knowledge of IB and RAW to understand their roles.
Key Takeaways
- IB stands for International Baccalaureate, an educational program emphasising a global perspective and interdisciplinary learning.
- Raw refers to the marks or points a student receives on an exam or assessment before any adjustments or scaling are applied.
- IB scores are based on internal and external assessments, while raw scores are based solely on the student’s performance on the exam or assessment.
IB vs RAW
IB means Intelligence Bureau and is the internal intelligence body in India that is responsible for handling domestic threats. It is the oldest intelligence organization in the world. RAW stands for Research and Analysis Wing of India and is the external intelligence agency of India that gathers secret information.
IB (Intelligence Bureau) of India focuses on the internal intelligence of India, and it is the oldest intelligence agency in the world.
The Britishers established IB in 1887 to spy on the Indian mutinous and various other rulers spread across different parts of India. Currently, IB mainly deals with counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence tasks.
RAW (Research Analysis Wing of India) deals with India’s external intelligence affairs. The organization was founded in 1968, and its main focus is to keep an eye on China and Pakistan.
RAW was formed because Indian Intelligence performed very poorly in the war against China (1962) and Pakistan (1965). RAW also advises Indian policymakers on foreign policymaking.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | IB | RAW |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment | In 1887, Central Special Branch was established, and in 1920, it was renamed as IB. | RAW was established in 1968 after the failure of Indian Intelligence in the Sino-Indian War and the Indo-Pakistani war. |
| Role | The main role of the IB is to acquire intelligence and tackle counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence issues within the country and in the border areas. | The main role of RAW is to look over issues related to counter-terrorism, collect secret information from neighbouring countries, and assist Indian policymakers. |
| Administration | IB is directly under the Home Ministry of India. | RAW is answerable directly to the Prime Minister’s office. |
| Geographical limitations | IB deals with internal intelligence, which means issues within the country and in the border areas. | RAW spies on the neighbouring countries of India, especially China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. |
| Employees | IB hires employees from the military, Indian Police Service, and law enforcement agencies. | RAW hires employees from the military, police, and also through Research and Analysis Service (RAS). |
What is IB?
IB is the oldest intelligence organization in the entire world that is currently serving as India’s internal intelligence body.
It was established in 1887 during British Colonial rule to keep an eye on various Indian rulers in various regions after the failure of Sipoy’s Mutiny in 1857. Today, IB is under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and it is responsible for resolving domestic threats.
The main responsibility of IB is counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, intelligence collection, infrastructure protection, and anti-secession activities within India and the borders.
Though IB is under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the IB Director can directly report to the Prime Minister. IB’s main concern is to tackle domestic threats, but it maintains a partnership with foreign security agencies, including UK, US, and Israel.
Recruitment of personnel doesn’t take place directly into IB. The employees come from several law enforcement agencies, the Indian Police Service, and the military.
IB is responsible for keeping track of certain terrorist groups and individuals or groups with suspected terrorist ties.
IB works closely with the border protection forces in the border areas as India shares borders with Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Bhutan, and Burma.
What is RAW?
RAW is the external intelligence agency of India. Established in 1968, the main reason behind its foundation was India’s failure in both the Sino-Indian War and the Indo-Pakistan war.
When the organization was founded, its main focus was on China and Pakistan, but over the years, it has expanded its focus (the creation of Bangladesh and its influence in Afghanistan).
The main responsibility of RAW is to spy closely on neighbouring countries and gather secretive information. It also assists the policymakers in making foreign policies depending on the information it gathers.
RAW also has a great influence on the security of India’s nuclear program. After three years of RAW’s establishment, the impact of the organization was observable as India won the war with Pakistan in 1971.
When RAW was established, it only started with 250 people, but with time it has hired several thousands of employees who serve as assets.
RAW is directly answerable to the Prime Minister’s office as the chief of RAW is in the Cabinet Secretariat and a part of the Prime Minister’s office.
With time the objectives of RAW have evolved, and presently it focuses on two things. First, closely monitoring the political and military scenario in the neighbouring countries.
Second, trying to seek control of Pakistan’s military hardware supply from Europe, China, and the US.
Main Differences Between IB and RAW
- IB was established in 1887 as Central Special Branch and is the world’s oldest intelligence agency. In 1920, the name of the organization was renamed IB. RAW was established in 1968 as a result of the failure of the Sino-Indian War and the Indo-Pakistan war by Indian Intelligence.
- IB is responsible for handling issues related to counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism within India and in the border areas. RAW is responsible for gathering intelligence on neighbouring countries, especially China and Pakistan and helps policymakers make foreign policies.
- IB is under the Home Ministry of India, whereas RAW answers directly to the Prime Minister’s office.
- IB deals with internal intelligence, which means issues within the country, whereas RAW spies on international grounds, especially in China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
- IB hires employees from the military, law enforcement agencies, and Indian Police Service, whereas RAW, apart from hiring military officials and Indian police, hires through Research and Analysis Service (RAS).
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/4416668
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08850607.2015.992754
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The main differences between IB and RAW are crucial to comprehend to appreciate the contributions of both agencies.
Understanding the intricate differences between IB and RAW is essential for anyone interested in the intelligence landscape of India.
The primary focus of IB on domestic intelligence and RAW on external factors provides a comprehensive view of India’s intelligence operations.
It is essential to understand the roles and responsibilities of Indian intelligence agencies to have a comprehensive view of the system and its functioning.
The establishment, roles, and responsibilities of the IB and RAW are fascinating and crucial aspects of India’s intelligence network.
The evolution of RAW’s objectives and its influence on India’s foreign policy is quite remarkable.
It is interesting to note the geographical and administrative differences between IB and RAW, which play a significant role in their operations.
The recruitment, geographical limitations, and employee structures of IB and RAW are significant factors in their effectiveness and scope of operation.
The historical background of IB and RAW sheds light on the development and evolution of India’s intelligence infrastructure, which is vital for comprehensive understanding.
IB and RAW have different but equally important roles in India’s intelligence and national security. It is essential to have a deep understanding of their roles.
The impact and influence of IB and RAW in India’s internal and external security are noteworthy and deserve closer examination.