No Eye for the I-Word: The State of Research on Intelligence in India

Intelligence forms a core research area of Strategic Studies. The dynamic security environment and technological transformations demand cross-disciplinary insights from cognate fields to develop a nuanced understanding in intelligence studies. The scholarly reflection is largely confined to the West whereas research from the Global South remains abysmal. This article explores factors hindering the emergence of Intelligence Studies in India, both as an academic discipline and a potential research area, by analysing course syllabi of select universities and legal provisions. It reiterates the need for a systematic study of the subject to develop academic analytical precision and cater to new demands of policymaking.