Editing Research and Analysis Wing (section)

== Recruitment ==
{{see also | Recruitment of spies }}
Initially, R&AW relied primarily on trained [[intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]] officers who were recruited directly. These belonged to the external wing of the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]]. Candidates are mostly recruited from the [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] and few other civil services along with candidates from armed forces of India, the latter being in lesser number though. Later, it began directly recruiting graduates from universities. However owing to allegations of nepotism in appointments,<ref>{{cite book|last=IDSA|title=A case for intelligence reforms in India|url=http://www.idsa.in/system/files/book_IntellegenceReform.pdf|year=2012|publisher=IDSA|isbn=978-93-82169-03-1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013204746/http://idsa.in/system/files/book_IntellegenceReform.pdf|archive-date=13 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> in 1983 R&AW created its own service cadre, the Research and Analysis Service (RAS) to absorb talent from other Group A Civil Services, under the Central Staffing Scheme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idsa.in/askanexpert/HowaboutawebsiteforRAWandcanwerecruitmorepeoplefromoutsideUPSCroute |title=Bharath asked: How about a website for R&AW and can we recruit more people from outside UPSC route? we got to change &#124; Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |publisher=Idsa.in |access-date=28 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418162522/http://www.idsa.in/askanexpert/HowaboutawebsiteforRAWandcanwerecruitmorepeoplefromoutsideUPSCroute |archive-date=18 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Direct recruitment at Class I executive level is from Civil services officers undergoing Foundation course at [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration]]. At the end of the course, it conducts a campus interview. Based on a selection of psychological tests and the interview, candidates are inducted for a lien period of one year. During this period, they have an option of rejoining their parent service (if they wish to) after which they can be permanently absorbed into the Research and Analysis Service. Delhi-based security think tank Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses noted in one of its reports that R&AW suffered from the 'tail-end syndrome' where the 'bottom of the entrance lists' of those qualifying the [[Union Public Service Commission|UPSC examinations]] were offered jobs.<ref name="outlookindia.com">{{cite web |url=http://outlookindia.com/article.aspx?270538 |title=Ghosts Who Walk &#124; Saikat Datta |publisher=Outlookindia.com |access-date=28 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407172251/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?270538 |archive-date=7 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Additionally, recruitment is also by lateral deputation from the Officer corps of Armed Forces or Group A Civil Service Officers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.davp.nic.in/WriteReadData/ADS/eng_58101_6_1213b.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325190918/http://www.davp.nic.in/WriteReadData/ADS/eng_58101_6_1213b.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Advertisement for position in Cabinet Secretariat |publisher=[[Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity]]| date= 19 August 2013|archive-date=25 March 2014}}</ref> The Civil and Defence Service Officers permanently resign their cadre and join the RAS.<ref name="Memorandum for lateral induction into RAS">{{cite web|url=http://www.dop.rajasthan.gov.in/Uploadfiles/1932012_13248_Nomination%20of%20IFS%20for%20lateral%20Induction%20to%20the%20RAS.pdf |title=Memorandum for lateral induction into RAS |date=24 February 2012 |access-date=11 September 2013 |author=Cabinet Secretariat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609223638/http://www.dop.rajasthan.gov.in/Uploadfiles/1932012_13248_Nomination%20of%20IFS%20for%20lateral%20Induction%20to%20the%20RAS.pdf |archive-date=9 June 2012 |df=dmy }}</ref> However, according to recent reports, officers can return to their parent cadre after serving a specific period in the agency if they wish to.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/aug/27raw.htm |title=Soon, a beefier, meaner, deadlier RAW |work=Rediff.com |access-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008101430/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/aug/27raw.htm |archive-date=8 October 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Most of the [[Secretary to Government of India|secretaries]] have been officers from the [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] and other posts are held by [[Indian Revenue Service|IRS]] and [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]] officers. R&AW also employs a number of linguists and other experts in various fields.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020618/edu.htm |title=Career Queries Hotline: I want to join RAW. How should I go about it? |work=The Tribune |access-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203091159/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020618/edu.htm |archive-date=3 December 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The service conditions of R&AW officers are governed by the Research and Analysis Wing (Recruitment, Cadre and Service) Rules, 1975.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/58327933/|title=Vinod Kumar Jain vs Union of India on 5 March, 2009|publisher=indiankanoon.org|access-date=25 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122131/http://indiankanoon.org/doc/58327933/|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Training===
;Basic training
Basic training commences with '[[pep talk]]s' to boost the morale of the new recruit. This is a ten-day phase in which the inductee is familiarised with the real world of intelligence and [[espionage]], as opposed to the spies of fiction. Common usages, [[tradecraft]] techniques and [[Classified information|classification of information]] are taught. Financial and [[economic analysis]], [[space technology]], [[information security]], [[energy security]] and [[scientific knowledge]] is imbibed to the trainees. The recruit is made to specialise in a foreign language and introduced to [[Geopolitics|Geostrategic analysis]]. Case studies of other agencies like [[CIA]], [[KGB]], [[Inter-Services Intelligence|ISI]], [[Mossad]] and [[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] are presented for study. The inductee is also taught that intelligence organisations do not identify who is friend and who is foe, the country's [[foreign policy]] does. Basic classroom training in tactics and language are imparted to R&AW officers at the residential Training and Language Institute in [[Gurgaon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.headlinesindia.com/defence-news/army/raw-officer-attempts-suicide-outside-pmo-531.html |title=RAW officer attempts suicide at PMO |publisher=Headlinesindia.com |access-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113073046/http://www.headlinesindia.com/defence-news/army/raw-officer-attempts-suicide-outside-pmo-531.html |archive-date=13 January 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/feb-mar99/raw-at-war.htm |title=Raw at War-Genesis of Secret Agencies in Ancient India |publisher=Defencejournal.com |access-date=28 September 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502180923/http://www.defencejournal.com/feb-mar99/raw-at-war.htm |archive-date=2 May 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/to-bridge-language-gap-raw-ropes-in-native-linguists-as-gurus/|title=To bridge language gap, R&AW ropes in native linguists as 'gurus'|last=Sarin|first=Ritu|date=4 February 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=23 February 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301085823/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/to-bridge-language-gap-raw-ropes-in-native-linguists-as-gurus/|archive-date=1 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A multi-disciplinary school of economic intelligence is also being set up in Mumbai to train intelligence officers in investigating economic crimes like money laundering for terror purposes etc.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soon-training-school-for-secret-agents-in-Mumbai/articleshow/9253591.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Soon, training school for secret agents in Mumbai | date=17 July 2011 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717231320/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soon-training-school-for-secret-agents-in-Mumbai/articleshow/9253591.cms | archive-date=17 July 2011 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

;Advanced training
After completing 'Basic Training' the recruit is now attached to a Field Intelligence Bureau (FIB). Their training here lasts for 1–2 years. They are given firsthand experience of what it was to be out in the [[Cold War espionage|figurative cold]], conducting [[clandestine operation]]s. During night exercises under realistic conditions, they are taught [[infiltration tactics|infiltration]] and [[exfil]]tration. They are also instructed to avoid capture and if caught, how to face [[interrogation]]. They will learn the art of [[reconnoitre]], making contacts, and, the [[Espionage#Technology and techniques|numerous skills of operating an intelligence mission]]. At the end of the [[field training]], the new recruit is brought back to the school for final polishing. Before their deployment in the field, they will be given exhaustive training in the art of [[self-defence]] mainly [[Krav Maga]], and the use of technical espionage devices. They are also drilled in various administrative disciplines so that they could take their place in the foreign missions without arousing suspicion. They are now ready to operate under the cover of an Embassy to gather information, set up their own network of informers, [[mole (espionage)|moles]] or operatives as the task may require. Field and arms training is provided in the [[Indian Military Academy]] Headquarters at [[Dehradun]].<ref>"Open Secrets: India's Intelligence Unveiled"- Maloy Krishna Dhar. He was the joint director of IB.</ref> The training model has been criticised as being 'archaic and too police-centric' and not incorporating 'modern technological advances in methods of communication' etc.

===Shortage of staff===
R&AW has a severe shortage of employees. The number of personnel in 2013 was estimated to be 5,000 personnel. This represents a staff deficit of 40% below sanctioned strength. In 2013, [[The Hindu]] reported the organisation was short on management level staff by 130 and in specialized areas like technology there was also a huge shortage. In number of [[Cryptanalysis|cryptanalysts]], it was short by approximately 33%.<ref name="lownumber">{{cite news |title=Five years after 26/11, Intelligence services still crippled by staff shortage |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/five-years-after-2611-intelligence-services-still-crippled-by-staff-shortage/article5391698.ece |work=The Hindu |date=November 26, 2013 |access-date=10 October 2023 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004171707/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/five-years-after-2611-intelligence-services-still-crippled-by-staff-shortage/article5391698.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>