Intelligence Service : Job Prospects & Career Options

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The history of intelligence jobs in India and around the world dates back to the time when royal dynasties used to rule the different regions of the world. With the progress of civilization, international politics and globalization of terrorist activities have propelled governments all over the world to assign top priority to intelligence activities within and outside the country. All these have resulted in the creation of more intelligence jobs in India.
The main areas of work within the intelligence services are in the following organisations:

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Jobs in the CBI - The CBI has four officer grade posts:

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
Superintendent of Police (SP)
Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
Inspector General (Commissioner of Police)

For the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) direct recruitment is done through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. In other three posts Indian Police Service (IPS) officers are filled on deputation or promotion. Entry to the IPS is through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination.

Other personnel employed by the CBI include Assistant Public Prosecutor, Senior Public Prosecutor (SPP), Sub Inspectors.
Assistant Public Prosecutors and Senior Public Prosecutors (SPPs) are recruited directly through competitive exams conducted by the state Staff Selection Commissions. Public prosecutors must possess a degree in law. For the post of Assistant Public Prosecutors, the candidate must possess a minimum of five years experience in law. For the post of Senior Public Prosecutors, the candidate must possess a minimum of 10 years experience in law. Appointment to the rank of Sub Inspector is through a competitive examination conducted by the Central Staff Selection Commission. The candidate should clear Written test, interview and medical. Physical requirements prescribed: Height: 5feet 6inch(minimum) ; Chest: 32inch .Age between 18-25 years of age, Educational qualification must be a graduate.

All officers who are recruited directly are trained by the CBI at the Police Academy in Ghaziabad (UP). IPS officers are trained at Hyderabad. The CBI also runs a special training centre at Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.

Investigation Bureau (IB)
The Investigation Bureau (IB) is primarily concerned with the collection and analysis of information; it has no legal powers to investigate.
Jobs in the IB - Grade I and II officers work with the Investigation Bureau. Grade I include Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Joint Director, Special Director/Special Secretary. Superior posts are usually filled from State Police Service and IPS officers.
Grade II include Security Assistant (Constable), Junior Intelligence Officer, Assistant Central Intelligence Officer, Deputy Central Intelligence Officer, Assistant Director
There is direct recruitment for the junior posts. Deputy Central Intelligence Officers and Assistant Directors may be appointed through deputation or by direct recruitment.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)
RAW began as an integral part of the Investigation Bureau (IB). However it later emerged as a separate organisation. RAW comprises of two main sections:

• The internal intelligence section
• The counter intelligence section.

The two divisions of RAW have a strong information network that helps in acquiring sensitive information about crime and counter intelligence from all parts of the country. RAW also works towards offsetting the intelligence offensives of other countries against India.

Jobs in RAW
The following personnel are mainly employed by RAW: Attache (Undersecretary), Deputy Field Officer, Field Officers and Senior Field Officers.
Other personnel working in RAW include Specialists in technical and scientific fields, Foreign language specialists etc.

Language specialists find employment with RAW because it deals with foreign countries and is involved in the study of foreign service materials characteristics. Raw recruits interpreters who are promoted to assistant foreign language examiner and then to deputy foreign language examiner. Interpreters are recruited directly to the language cadre. There is no SC/ST quota or reservation for any of these jobs.

Detective Agencies
Jobs in private detective agencies
Private detectives handle commercial, industrial and domestic cases. The job of the private detective begins with thorough background analysis of the case. Detectives are involved in collecting relevant information, analysing them and documenting the findings. They may work in association with forensic experts, pathologists, criminologists and handwriting specialists. Training in this field is offered through private agencies run by retired CBI, Army intelligence and police officers.