Questions
Q1. Failure of intelligence has become a common cause in for terrorist and Naxalite attacks. In this context discuss the need for reform in India's intelligence apparatus and steps taken by the government in recent times in this direction. (250 words) 15 marks
Q2. Agnipath scheme for the armed forces was in the news for its perceived disadvantages. Highlighting these disadvantages, also discuss the benefits it entails. (10 marks)
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Model Solutions
Q1. Failure of intelligence has become a common cause in for terrorist and Naxalite attacks. In this context discuss the need for reform in India's intelligence apparatus and steps taken by the government in recent times in this direction. (250 words) 15 marks
Model Structure
Introduction:
- The role of intelligence agencies are indispensable in securing the nation from external and internal threats like terrorist and naxalite attacks, drugs trafficking etc.Eg Uri attack (2016), Mumbai terror attack (2008) etc.
Main Body
Various lacunae in the intelligence agencies of the India:
- Ambiguity in the functioning: India’s existing intelligence apparatus agencies have specific mandates. They tend to overlap in their functions, either by design or as a natural consequence of their activities.
- Poor implementation: created not as part of a deliberate strategic vision, but merely as a response to a crisis.
- For example the creation of the R&AW, that of the NTRO was also a result of a particular crisis (the Kargil War).
- Inadequate intelligence: Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, May 1991 and Kargil in 1999, is said to be because of the inaccurate intelligence.
- Replica of the westernized world: which leads to a mismatch with India’s political and bureaucratic systems, resulting in below-par capabilities.
- Lack of coordination between different wings: The absence of common military intelligence results in that these efforts remain largely tactical and focused on day-to-day operational requirements.
- Technical failures: The failures in intelligence-led to recognition of the need for a dedicated technical intelligence agency modeled.
- Lack of will for reforms at the apex level: Repeated failures following the reports of the Kargil Review Committee and the Group of Ministers point to a deeper and systemic failure.
- Lack of the procedure for the review of records: There is absence of any mechanism for tasking the agencies, monitoring their performance and reviewing their records to evaluate their quality.
- Lack of insight for the newer threats:
- For example the Pegasus malware attack managed to breach the WhatsApp communication platform’s end-to-end encryption protocol.
- The incident brought out in the open another set of questions in the era of supernova and cyber-crimes.
- Formation of crisis-driven rather than need-based system: Most of the agencies are formed in the aftermath of a crisis rather than need-based broad perspective plans to reform and revamp.
Steps taken by the government: - Directorate General of Security (DGS): After the Sino-Indian war of 1962, a review of performance of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) led to the creation of the Directorate General of Security (DGS).
- Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW): The Indo-Pak War of 1965 and the Mizo revolt in 1966, lead to the responsibility for external intelligence collection being taken away from IB and assigned to the newly created Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW).
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA): After the Kargil operations in 1999, G.C. Saxena Special Task Force which recommended the creation of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as the nodal point for processing all military-related intelligence.
- National Technical Research Organization (NTRO): The National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) was also created to collect technical and communications intelligence.
- Implementing recommendations of Kargil Review Committee: Improved aerial surveillance, which has been accomplished by setting up RISAT satellites and inducting UAVs.
- Implementing recommendations of GoM: The creation of additional tri-services organizations, the Integrated Defense Staff,the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Nuclear Command Authority, Strategic Forces Command etc.
Way forward: - Cooperation in the day-to-day functioning of government departments and military.
- New technological innovations can be adopted. For example a digital academy should be set up to deal with the novek cyber threats.
- Major reforms suggested by different committees should be implemented like the Naresh Chandra Committee etc.
- Creation of a new post of Intelligence Advisor to assist the NSA.
- National Intelligence Board on matters relating to coordination in the functioning of the intelligence committee.
- Better policy formulation at the apex level of agencies and parliament.
- Establish a Digital Academy: This could train serving intelligence officers in the chosen technology domains.
- Developing standard operating procedures(SOP) in case of some intelligence has been gathered.
- Developing databases like NATGRID,make the agencies and human resources more techno savvy.
- International collaboration in intelligence sharing .
- Time to time training, skill development of the human resources and keep updating with the best practices around the world in the intelligence agencies.
- Integration of all intelligence agencies by institutional reform like NCTC and NATGRID.
Conclusion:
- Substantial reforms are needed to improve the collection, processing and dissemination of intelligence on a real-time basis.
- There is a need for specific legislation that would give India’s intelligence community a statutory basis and a charter, and provide it with institutional levels of accountability.
Q2. Agnipath scheme for the armed forces was in the news for its perceived disadvantages. Highlighting these disadvantages, also discuss the benefits it entails. (10 marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- Agnipath scheme for armed forces aims to make the army youthful, fit and dynamic with renewed energy by enlisting ‘Agni veers’ in the 17.5 to 23 years age group. There is provision for personnel recruitment below officer rank for 4 years and after that they can go for permanent enrolment.
Main Body
- The scheme involves an alluring package and re-employment opportunities but with a very small age bracket, there is perception of many disadvantages like-
- Retrenchment after 4 years can cause security problems because those who will not get permanent and can’t find alternate employment might be taken in by rogue intelligence agencies and organized crime syndicates.
- The provision of training soldiers for combat roles in 4 years is short sighted and this can compromise national security due to less developed skill-sets required for armed forces.
- There is no provision of gratuity or pensionary benefits.
- But being a carefully crafted scheme, it has advantages like-
- Defense budget management is important for modernization of forces and to increase capital acquisition, workforce reduction is paramount.
- Revenue expenditure is high which impacts capital allocation severely. Only the pension component amounts to 20% of the defence budget.
- All major armed forces like China, USA and Great Britain have downsized their armed forces in the same manner.
- These cadres will get customized monthly remuneration with “risk and hardship” allowances and one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package.
Conclusion
- Downsizing is synonymous to rightsizing and not weaker military and reduced workforce will surely increase capital expenditure for new technologies and intelligent systems like Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. This will make our armed forces more lethal, innovative and quick.