It is crucial to understand that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) are both Indian intelligence agencies with different functions. IB serves as India’s internal intelligence agency, while RAW operates as India’s external intelligence agency. The primary distinction between them lies in their respective responsibilities and origins.
Key Takeaways
- IB, the world’s oldest intelligence agency, was established in 1947 and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. In contrast, RAW was created in 1968 and is directly under the Prime Minister’s office.
- IB’s main responsibility is to gather intelligence within India and conduct counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence operations. RAW’s primary function is to collect external intelligence and perform covert operations, contributing significantly to Indian foreign policy making.
- IB staff mainly come from law enforcement agencies such as the Indian Police Service and the military. On the other hand, RAW employs personnel from various services, including police, military, and trained intelligence officers. RAW also has its own service cadre called the Research and Analysis Service (RAS).
 and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), lies in their respective responsibilities, with the former focusing primarily on internal security and intelligence gathering within the nation, while the latter primarily specializes in foreign intelligence and espionage activities beyond India's borders. Learn the difference here.){kind=link}