Intelligence and Investigative Agencies in India

The Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies are responsible for preserving the unity and integrity of the country during any attempt of threat to the internal as well as external security of the nation. Apart from the defence and paramilitary forces in India, various intelligence and investigation agencies are engaged in internal and external security of nation. Here are a list of various Intelligence and Investigative Agencies in India.

1. Intelligence Bureau (IB)

Intelligence Bureau (IB) is the main internal intelligence agency of India. It is one of the oldest intelligence agency in the world. IB was established in 1887 with its headquarters at New Delhi. It was recast as the central intelligence bureau in 1947 under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

2. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

The primary foreign (external) intelligence agency of india is Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). It is similar to Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of US. RAW is established in 1968 with its headquarters at New Delhi. The primary function of RAW is gathering foreign intelligence and counter terrorism. The first director of RAW is Alok Joshi.

3. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the foremost investigating police agency in India. It is similar to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of US. It was established in 1963 April 1 with its headquarters at New Delhi. The former name of CBI is Special Police Establishment which was founded in 1941. The motto of CBI is Industry, Impartiality, Integrity. The indian agency which represent Interpol is Central Bureau of Investigation. The first director of CBI is Dr.P.Kohli. The CBI academy is located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

4. National Investigation Agency

The federal agency established by the Indian Government to combat terrorism in India is National Investigation Agency. It was established in 2009. Its headquarters is at New Delhi. It was formed after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. The founding Director General of National Investigation Agency is Radha Vinod Raju.

5. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

Narcotics Control Bureau is a nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency of government of india, working under the Union Home Department. It was established in 1985 November 14, under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985.  Delhi is its headquarters. It also functions as an enforcement agency through its Zonal Offices.

6. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

National Crime Records Bureau was formed in 1986. It acts as a repository of information on crime and criminals. The NCRB operates under the Union Home Department. They are responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data. They acts as a repository of crime data to assist investigators in finding crimes and criminals.

7. National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO)

The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) is a technical intelligence agency of India Government. It was established in 2004. This intelligence agency reports to the National Security Advisor and to the Prime Minister's Office. National Technical Research Organisation comprises of National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development and National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre.

8. Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)

The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) is an intelligence agency responsible for providing and coordinating the defence and military intelligence to the Armed Forces of India - Military, Navy and Air Force. It was established in March 2002 and operates under the Ministry of Defence. 

9. Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT-In or ICERT is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur. Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) was established in 2004 and operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of India. It strengthens security-related defence of the Indian Internet domain. 

10. National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC)

The National Cyber Coordination Centre is an operational cyber security and e-surveillance agency of India. The main function of NCCC is intended to screen communication metadata and co-ordinate the intelligence gathering activities of other agencies of india government. Components of the National Cyber Coordination Centre includes the cybercrime prevention strategy, outdated laws review and cybercrime investigation training.

11. Joint Cipher Bureau (JCB)

The Joint Cipher Bureau is an agency operating under the Indian armed forces. It is responsible for signals intelligence, cryptanalysis, encryption of sensitive data and coordinate the similar activities and operations of military intelligence agencies. The Joint Cipher Bureau works closely with the Intelligence Bureau and Research & Analysis Wing.

12. Central Monitoring Organisation (CMO)

The Central Monitoring Organisation is an agency operating under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It has several monitoring companies across the country. The main duties of Central Monitoring Organisation is to monitor the use of radio spectrum in various sectors such as Defence, Police, All India Radio, Railways, Public Sector Untertaking etc.

13. Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM)

Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring earlier called as the Vigilance Telecom Monitoring (VTM), is an agency operates under the vigilance and monitoring wing of the Indian Department of Telecommunications. Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring formed in October 2004, is made up of 34 Cells in 22 telecom circles of india and 10 large telecom districts

14. All India Radio Monitoring Service (AIRMS)

All India Radio Monitoring Service is the central monitoring service of india government that monitors the broadcasts in the country and also from all foreign broadcasts of interest to India. All India Radio Monitoring Service is located in Simla. It operates closely with the Research & Analysis Wing and Military intelligence agencies.

15. Signals Intelligence Directorate (SID)

The Signals Intelligence Directorate is a joint service organisation that includes the officers of the Indian Armed Forces - Army, Navy and Air Force. Signals Intelligence Directorate has a large number of Wireless Experimental Units (WEUs) that carry out the specific task of monitoring the military links of other countries. 

16. Aviation Research Centre (ARC)

The Aviation Research Centre is an imagery intelligence organisation of India Government. It operates under the Directorate General of Security of Research and Analysis Wing. It started its operations in November 1962, in the wake of the Indo China War, as an extension of the Intelligence Bureau. It was formally created on 7 September 1963. Currently Aviation Research Centre is placed under the Ministry of External Affairs.

17. Financial Intelligence Unit - India (FIU)

Financial Intelligence Unit is an organisation working under the Department of Revenue, Government of India. It is the central, national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions. It was established in November 2004 and reports directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister. The functions of Financial Intelligence Unit are collecting information, information analysis, information sharing, act as central repository, coordination, research & analysis and punitive action.

18. State Special Branch/State Intelligence

There are several state intelligence agencies working under the respective state/union territory police force of India. It includes Special Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CID), State Special Branch, State Intelligence Department, etc. 

19. Directorate of Air Intelligence (DAI)

The Directorate of Air Intelligence is the intelligence agency of the Indian Air Force. Its duty is to give timely, accurate and synchronized intelligence support for the tactical and operational needs of the Indian Air force.

20. Directorate of Naval Intelligence (DNI)

The Directorate of Naval Intelligence is the intelligence agency of the Indian Navy.

21. Directorate of Income Tax (Intelligence and Criminal Investigation)

The Directorate of Intelligence and Criminal Investigation has the responsibility of ensuring timely, complete and accurate filing of Financial Transaction Statement and Reportable Accounts Statement by the Reporting Entities.

22. Directorate General of Income Tax Investigation

The Directorate General of Income Tax Investigation is the law enforcement agency operates under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. They are responsible for investigating violations of India's tax laws. It also includes the investigation of fraud, evasion and money laundering. The controlling authority of Directorate General of Income Tax Investigation is the Investigation Division of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

23. Directorate of Enforcement (ED)

The Directorate of Enforcement is a law enforcement and economic intelligence agency. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) was established on 1 May 1956 as an Enforcement Unit within the Economic Affairs Department of India Government. It was established to manage the violations of exchange control laws under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947 (FERA). Directorate of Enforcement is the agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and combating financial crimes.

24. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence was established on 4 December 1957. It is the apex anti-smuggling intelligence, investigations and operations agency in India. The Directorate is under the control of officers from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).