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National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) - Features, Working, Structure, Functions And More.
IMPORTANT LINKS
NATGRID's full form is the National Intelligence Grid. It is a master database system in India for counter-terrorism purposes. It connects databases from various security agencies operating under the government. Security agencies have round-the-clock access to this database. The current CEO of NATGRID is Ashish Gupta, an IPS officer. It has been reported to be operational since 31st December 2020. NATGRID was conceptualised in 2009. It is said to be the brainchild of the then-home minister P Chidambaram. He conceptualised this idea after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
NATGRID is one of the important topics for the UPSC IAS Exam. It covers a significant part of the Internal Security subject in the General Studies paper-3 syllabus.
In this article, we shall cover in detail what the National Intelligence Grid is, why it was established, and how it works.
Recent Update
In May 2022, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the NATGRID campus in Bengaluru. The Central Government has appointed Piyush Goyal as the next CEO of NATGRID. The Central Government has also ordered the posting of 26 additional officers as Additional Secretary.
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What is National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)?
NATGRID India is an integrated intelligence grid. It connects databases of core security agencies and secure databases for information on:
- economic crimes,
- terrorists, and
- similar incidents to help bolster the capabilities of India.
C-DAC implements NATGRID as a technology partner. IIT Bhilai is a plan management consultant in line with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India.
The Rs. 3,400 crore project was approved in 2011 by the cabinet committee of the UPA government. The execution of NATGRID slowed until the NDA government appointed Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ashok Patnaik as the CEO in 2016. In November 2019, Lok Sabha announced that NATGRID would start by 31 December 2020. Since then, NATGRID has been gaining momentum.
Why was the National Intelligence Grid Established?
The 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks highlighted the fact that security authorities lacked a system for searching for crucial information in real time. This necessitated the creation of the NATGRID.
US terror suspect David Headley traveled around the country. During his many visits between 2006 and 2009, the absence of rapid information posed a challenge in identifying him.
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Features of NATGRID
The features of the National Intelligence Grid are listed below:
- NATGRID is a measure against terrorism. It gathers information on bank accounts, taxes, and immigration records from government databases.
- The collected data is accessible to 11 authorized agencies. This is to help police and investigators identify suspicious individuals.
- The police use the data to track and monitor those individuals.
- NATGRID is an IT platform that supports law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It works to ensure national security and counter-terrorism.
- It is a database that monitors activities like:
- hawala transactions,
- terrorist funding,
- fake money,
- drugs,
- bomb threats,
- illegal weapons smuggling, and
- other terrorist acts.
- NATGRID is not subject to the RTI Act of 2005, so its information is not publicly available.
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How does NATGRID work?
- In the first phase, NATGRID will connect ten user agencies and 21 service providers. Later, 950 more organizations will join.
- Over 1,000 organizations will be included in NATGRID. They will provide records related to immigration, banking, finance, and telecommunications.
- The Income Tax Department will share PAN and bank account information with the agencies through NATGRID.
- The CBDT and NATGRID will sign an MoU to ease information sharing between these central institutions.
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Structure and Functions of NATGRID
- NATGRID is a network that shares intelligence by gathering data from different agencies and ministries.
- It collects various information related to counter-terrorism measures, such as:
- tax and bank account details,
- credit/debit card transactions,
- visa and immigration records, and
- travel itineraries.
- NATGRID also has access to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems. This connects crime information across thousands of police stations in India.
- This data will be accessible to 11 central agencies responsible for security and investigation. These agencies include the:
- Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW),
- Intelligence Bureau (IB),
- National Investigation Agency (NIA),
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB),
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),
- Enforcement Directorate (ED),
- Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT),
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC),
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and
- Directorate General of GST Intelligence.
- tax and bank account details,
- credit/debit card transactions,
- visa and immigration records, and
- travel itineraries.
- Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW),
- Intelligence Bureau (IB),
- National Investigation Agency (NIA),
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB),
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),
- Enforcement Directorate (ED),
- Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT),
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC),
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and
- Directorate General of GST Intelligence.
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Who will have access to the National Intelligence Grid database?
Some of the prominent federal agencies of the country are authorised to access the structure of the NATGRID database. The list of the agencies is given below.
- Central Bureau of Investigation
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs,
- Central Board of Direct Taxes (for the Income Tax Department)
- Cabinet Secretariat
- Enforcement Directorate
- Intelligence Bureau
- Directorate General of GST Intelligence
- Narcotics Control Bureau
- Financial Intelligence Unit
- National Investigation Agency
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Way Forward
NATGRID is a bright conceptualisation. It can lead to a reduction in terrorist activities in India. It will be a boost to the internal security of India. The central agencies involved in NATGRID can frame proper guidelines. More appropriate steps can be taken so that vital information about India is not leaked. Any other suspicious information about non-state actors can also be captured.
NATGRID – National Intelligence Grid | All You Need To know: Download PDF here!
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FAQs on NATGRID
What is NATGRID in India?
The full form of NATGRID is National Intelligence Grid. It is an integrated intelligence grid that connects databases of 11 core security agencies of the government of India.
What is the use of NATGRID?
NATGRID is used to track and keep records of suspicious people and it can also help in reducing terror activities in India.
Who has been appointed as CEO of NATGRID?
As of 2022, Piyush Goyal is appointed as NATGRID CEO.
Is National Intelligence Grid a statutory body?
No, it is not a statutory body.
Who can access NATGRID?
NATGRID can be accessed by 11 central agencies and police of all states and union territories.
What are the central agencies that will have access to NATGRID?
The 11 central agencies are the Central Bureau of Investigation, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Central Board of Direct Taxes (for the Income Tax Department), Cabinet Secretariat, Intelligence Bureau, Directorate General of GST Intelligence, Narcotics Control Bureau, Financial Intelligence Unit and National Investigation Agency.
When was NATGRID established?
NATGRID was first conceptualised in 2009 however its work slowed after 2012.