The government is contemplating a fixed five-year term for the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief to ensure long-term clarity on strategic issues and continuity of policy direction.

The post was given a fixed tenure of two years in 2005.

Last August, the cabinet secretariat, which administers RAW, reiterated a 2013 proposal for continuation of the Secretary (Research) — as the head of RAW is designated — for “a block of five years”, sources said.

The Finance Ministry’s Establishment Division, which deals with matters of service conditions of central government employees under General Financial Rules, cleared the extended term and passed it on early this month for the approval of the Department of Personnel and Training. The proposal will now go to the Union cabinet for ratification, the sources said.

RAW monitors the political, military and economic developments in countries that have a direct bearing on India’s

national security and formulation of its foreign policy. It also conducts covert and rescue operations abroad to safeguard national interests.

According to sources, the extended term was initiated on the advice of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who reasoned that India’s internal threats originated from externally motivated acts, against which the country needed enhanced covert intelligence.

The Secretary (Research) is under direct command of the Prime Minister and reports on a daily basis to the NSA. The two-year tenure for the post fixed in 2005 in the wake of the government’s decision to restructure and streamline intelligence operations, especially of RAW.

At that time, the cabinet also fixed the two-year term for Director (Intelligence Bureau), Defence Secretary and Home Secretary. In 2010, it was extended for the Foreign Secretary as well.

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