The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India's external intelligence agency, was established in:

The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) was established on 21 September 1968 as India's foreign intelligence agency.

Why R&AW was set up:

• Before 1968, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) handled both internal and external intelligence.
• The wars with China and Pakistan in the 1960s exposed weaknesses in India's external intelligence.
• The government decided to create a separate agency dedicated to foreign intelligence.

First chief:

• Rameshwar Nath Kao was the founder and first chief of R&AW.
• He is regarded as one of India's greatest intelligence officers.

Organisation:

• R&AW works directly under the Prime Minister's Office.
• Its head is called the Secretary (Research), who reports to the Prime Minister and the National Security Adviser.

Functions of R&AW:

• Collecting foreign intelligence on military, economic, scientific and political developments in other countries that affect India.
• Counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation operations abroad.
• Advising policymakers on foreign and security policy.
• Conducting covert operations to protect national interests.

Role in history:

• R&AW played an important role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
• It helped in the integration of Sikkim with India in 1975.
• It is believed to have played a role in many security operations since then.

Legal status:

R&AW is not a statutory body; it was created by an executive order.

Other intelligence agencies of India:

• Intelligence Bureau (IB): internal intelligence, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO): technical intelligence.
• Defence Intelligence Agency: military intelligence.
• National Investigation Agency (NIA): investigation of terrorism cases.

Why not the other options?

• ✗1947 is the year of independence.
• ✗1959 does not match.
• ✗1971 is the year of the Bangladesh war.