After the Sino-Indian war of 1962 and the India-Pakistan war of 1965, which showed deficiencies in the Intelligence Bureau’s intelligence collecting, RAW was established on September 21, 1968. 

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her government saw the need for an organization that would sound the warning and safeguards India before going to war or being attacked by terrorists. This agency would respond by taking whatever action they felt necessary. Rameshwar Nath Kao was RAW’s first director.

Role of RAW agents

Spying or utilizing spies, primarily by governments, to gather political and military information by Indian agents is known as ‘espionage.’ Their guiding principle is to gather information about another country’s activities, protect citizens from clandestine and covert operations from other countries, and internal sources, military operations, and the avoidance of potential political scrutiny, despite the severe consequences they may face as a spy.

Qualities needed

A RAW agent’s compensation, as well as the benefits and perks granted to them, serve as justification for the traits they possess. The following are qualities that a RAW agent must possess.

  1.  A combination of logical and radical thinking is required.
  2.  It’s important to keep your ability to work long hours.
  3. Applicants must be skilled at disguising themselves.
  4. Applicants must be willing to work in any circumstance.
  5. The ability to pay close attention.
  6. Their comfort should include the ability to travel greater distances.
  7. It should not be a difficulty for you to make swift decisions.
  8. To participate in physical activities as a RAW agent, you must be physically fit.
  9. Applicants should be able to think quickly and intuitively.
  10. Applicants must maintain a high level of secrecy.

RAW agent Qualifications

  •  The candidate must be an Indian citizen
  •  Those applying should keep their friends and relatives in the dark
  • Applicants must not have a criminal record
  • Applicants must not be addicted to drugs
  •  Candidates should be prepared to travel to any location in the country on short notice
  • The applicant should be honest about who he is
  • Candidates must have a solid education from a reputable university and be fluent in at least one foreign language
  • Officers interested in joining RAW should have a minimum of 20 years of experience

Recruitment and Salary

It takes a lot of effort to be accepted into this elite institution. A written exam is followed by an interview in the selection process. Those interested in becoming a RAW agent must take the SSC’s CGPE (Combined Graduate Preliminary Exam) (Staff Selection Commission). Under the Central Staffing Scheme, candidates must take the ‘Group A’ Civil Services exam. They must also perform well in all aspects of the Civil Service examination. Only individuals who pass these exams will be permitted to take the RAW exam.

Although there is no official information about a RAW agent’s remuneration, it is reported to be in the range of Rs. 80000 to Rs. 130000 each month. Other advantages of being a RAW agent include:

  •   RAW agents and officials get paid an extra two months per fiscal year
  •   RAW personnel stationed abroad are entitled to a special Dearness Payment as well as a foreign service allowance
  • They also receive a unique security allowance that may exceed their gross income, as well as basic pay and dearness allowance

Training of RAW agents

RAW training often lasts a number of years. The recruit is taught how to specialize in a foreign language and is taught how to do geostrategic analysis. He/she is taught infiltration and exfiltration during night exercises under realistic settings. He or she learns the art of reconnaissance, developing contacts, and a variety of other intelligence-related abilities. The training is divided into two steps- Basic training and then Advanced training at Field Intelligence Bureau.

Lifestyle after becoming a RAW agent 

Raw agents have a very different lifestyle than other government employees. The following are some of the basic characteristics that distinguish a RAW agent from others. Even their closest friends and family are unaware of their true identities. When secret operatives are caught in a foreign country, the government frequently disowns them.

Ravindra Kaushik

Ravinder Kaushik is widely considered India’s best spy who has ever penetrated the Pakistani army’s ranks. During his instruction, he is believed to have learned Urdu, become acquainted with Muslim religious books, and become acquainted with the landscape of Pakistan. All of his records in India were deleted, and he was moved to Pakistan under a new name, Nabi Ahmed Shakir. He was eventually named ‘Black Tiger’ due to his heroic contribution as a RAW agent by PM Indira Gandhi.

In 1985, Kaushik was sentenced to death for spying, but his sentence was eventually commuted to life in prison. He was tortured for two years at a Sialkot interrogation center, then imprisoned for another 16 years in Mianwali before being left to die.

Conclusion

Fulfilling the obligations of a RAW agent necessitates a great deal of power and determination. They have done an outstanding job and have encouraged many people to serve their country. RAW is a group of heroes who fight tirelessly to protect national security.