JR. INTELLIGENCE OFFICER

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is India's premier internal security and counter-intelligence agency. It is often referred to as the oldest intelligence organization in the world still in operation.

Key Facts and Functions

• Parent Ministry: The IB operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.

• Primary Role: Its primary function is to gather and analyze intelligence within India to protect the nation from both internal and external threats.

• Counter-Intelligence: The IB is responsible for preventing hostile foreign intelligence agencies from operating within India. This includes monitoring and neutralizing their activities.

• Counter-Terrorism: A major focus of the IB is to combat terrorism. It works to track terrorist modules, gather intelligence on individuals and groups with terrorist ties, and coordinate with other security agencies to prevent terror attacks. The Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) is an important part of this effort, acting as a hub for intelligence sharing among various agencies.

• Internal Security: The agency's mandate covers a wide range of internal security matters, including:

  • Countering separatist and insurgent movements.

  • Monitoring political developments that could have a bearing on national security.

  • Providing security clearances for Indian diplomats and judges.

  • Collecting intelligence in border areas, a task it was assigned after the 1962 Sino-Indian War.

History

• Origin: The IB traces its origins back to the Central Special Branch, which was established by the British in 1887 to monitor political unrest in India.

• Post-Independence: After India gained independence in 1947, the Central Special Branch was renamed the Intelligence Bureau and was placed under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• Bifurcation: Until 1968, the IB was responsible for both domestic and foreign intelligence. However, following the intelligence failures during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, a separate external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), was formed. Since then, the IB's mandate has been primarily focused on internal intelligence and security.

Organization and Staff

• Head: The IB is headed by a Director, who is typically a senior officer from the Indian Police Service (IPS).

• Personnel: The Bureau's staff is primarily drawn from various law enforcement agencies, including the Indian Police Service (IPS) and other civilian services.

• Secrecy: Much of the IB's work is shrouded in secrecy, and details about its operations and organizational structure are not made public. This is a common characteristic of intelligence agencies worldwide.

  *source: google gemini