Multi-Agency Centre

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The Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) was formed in December 2001 [1] following the Kargil war and the subsequent overhaul of the Indian national security apparatus suggested by the Kargil Review Committee report and GoM report. [2] [3] [4] Accordingly, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was authorized to create a multi-agency centre (MAC) in New Delhi. Now functioning 24/7 as the nodal body for sharing intelligence inputs, MAC coordinates with representatives from numerous agencies, different ministries, both central and state. [5] [6] [7] The state offices have been designated as subsidiary MACs (SMACs). [5] In 2014 there were 374 MAC-SMAC sites across India. [8]

As noted in a 2016 parliamentary report the major contributors of intelligence inputs to the MAC were the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Investigation Agency and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). [5] Zabiuddin Ansari and Fasih Mohammed have been some of the catches by the MAC. [6] In 2012, B Raman noted that the Indian model of the MAC had continued functioning being modelled on US Counterterrorism Center. [3] The Multi-Agency Centre has been upgraded at a cost of Rs 500 crore and inaugurated by Amit Shah in May 2025. [9] It incorporates futuristic capabilities such as embedded artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to harness the potential of the vast database with MAC and Geographic Information System (GIS) services. [10]

In October 2025, a Special Task Force was created under the Multi Agency Centre including officers from both IB and CBI for extradition of fugitives. [11] Multi Agency Centre has always been headed by a senior IPS officer serving as the Additional Director (or Joint Director) in the Intelligence Bureau, a rank equivalent to an Additional DGP in Police or a 3-star Lt. General in the Armed Forces. Notably, Shri Ajit Doval was the first Chief of MAC during 2001-04, before being appointed as the Director of Intelligence Bureau.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "A curious state of affairs". Seminar. 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  2. ↑ Mishra, Bisheshwar (3 October 2005). "Multi-agency centre a dream for North Block". The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  3. 1 2 B. Raman (2012-02-23). "To IB or not to IB, that is the question". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  4. ↑ "Chidambaram chairs first Multi-Agency Centre meet". Rediff. PTI. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  5. 1 2 3 Kaura, Vinay (2017-05-17). "Too many spies spoil the intelligence broth". Livemint. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  6. 1 2 Bhalla, Abhishek (30 August 2013). "India's intelligence agencies get it right with three big catches in a year". India Today. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  7. ↑ "Coordination Amongst Intelligence Agencies". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  8. ↑ Sasikala Pushpa, Kiren Rijiju (6 August 2014/ Sravana 15, 1936, Saka) Unstarred Question No.2988 Rajya Sabha. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
  9. ↑ Chaudhari, Abhishek (2025-05-28). "India has ditched the old, tragic way of dealing with threats. Now it prepares before crisis". ThePrint. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
  10. ↑ Singh, Dalip (2025-05-16). "Amit Shah inaugurates new multi agency centre for real-time intelligence sharing". BusinessLine. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
  11. ↑ https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2179886
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