How to Join Raw in India 2026? Recruitment Process, Eligibility, Total Cost, Postings

If you are wondering how to join RAW and serve the country, note that you must have completed your graduation and be citizens of India. You must have also been selected as Civil Service Officers by UPSC or SSC CGL and are undergoing foundation courses at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. There is no separate examination conducted or raw application form is released to elect raw agents in India, and there is also no provision to get a direct recruitment for the same.

The main responsibility of a RAW agent is to defend national security from enemies all around the world. Many people apply for this job because it is well-regarded since it houses a highly classified intelligence organization. The Raw vacancy 2026 is not released separately, but the government officials serving as IAS, IPS, or in the armed forces are trained to join raw. There is no special raw agent application form online 2026 to be filled out to join it. Thus, you must know each and every step of becoming a raw agent in India.

RAW Overview 2026

You need to note that there is no direct test for RAW recruitment or any Raw vacancy 2026 released. You must take the UPSC Civil Services Exam if you want to join RAW. Moreover, you can check the overview of RAW in the table given below:

What Is RAW In India?

The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), an intelligence agency established in 1968, is a legally independent organization run by the Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat and reports directly to the Prime Minister of India.

• RAW is headed by a Secretary who reports directly to the Prime Minister of India. The agency operates under the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of India.
• The main responsibility of a RAW agent is to defend national security from enemies all around the world. Many people apply for this job because it is well-regarded since it houses a highly classified intelligence organization.

Also Check: How to Join DRDO?

RAW Recruitment Process 2026

The ones interested in knowing how to join RAW and the entire process of recruitment and selection are listed below:

• You must be Indian citizens and have graduated from a recognized university. The direct hiring is done from the candidates who have cleared UPSC or SSC CGL. 
• RAW conducts a campus interview after the course the candidates complete after they clear both these exams at the national level.
• The candidates for one year are chosen based on their performance in the interview and multiple psychological exams.
• However, after a year, they were permanently selected for the RAW (Research and Analysis Wing).
• Lateral deputation from the officer corps of the Indian Armed Forces is another method of recruiting. Civil and Defense Services officers resign from their positions and join RAW.
• No seperate raw vacancy is released for direct recruitment.

Process Of Joining RAW

There are some basic processes every individual has to follow to be a RAW agent, and they are listed below:

• Resigning: You should only hold profitable positions after being hired. Selected ones need to resign from their current jobs to give their all to the country.
• Basic Instruction: In Delhi, it starts with the introductory, ten-day program, and after that, you are taught a range of languages, information security, scientific knowledge, etc.
• Final Training: After the basic training, you are sent to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun for additional training. 

RAW Eligibility 2026

To be a RAW agent, an applicant must be sound physically and mentally. The full list of raw agent qualifications for the ones who are interested in knowing how to join RAW is tabulated below:

RAW Job Profile 2026

RAW is a highly classified organization that is essential to the security, foreign policy, and upkeep of peace of the nation. The ones wondering how to join RAW can refer to the table to understand the job profile, which is tabulated below:

RAW Designations 2026

Below are the different ranks in RAW that a candidate can be selected for. All ranks have their various roles and responsibilities You can check the information in the table given below:

Responsibilities of RAW Agents

The RAW Agent is in charge of several tasks, and the following is a list of some of the main duties and responsibilities of a RAW agent:

• RAW is in order of human and technical strategies for external intelligence and covers trans-border military intelligence up to the Line of Control in coordination with the Directorate-General of Military Intelligence.
• RAW is in charge of acquiring foreign intelligence, combating terrorism, stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, and advising Indian policymakers to frame laws accordingly.
• Keep track of developments in politics, the military, the economy, and science that directly impact India's national security and the development of its foreign policy.
• Influencing foreign governments and forming public opinion worldwide to safeguard India's national interests.
• RAW keeps open lines of communication with many services and organizations worldwide.

RAW Postings and Location

RAW officers and agents can be posted in India and various foreign locations. The tabulated form explains the zonal posting that is allocated to the personnel in specific headquarters: