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{{Short description|Technical intelligence agency of India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = National Technical Research Organisation
| motto = [[IAST]]: āno bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah ''English:'' Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions
| seal = File:National Technical Research Organisation.svg
| seal_size =
| seal_caption =
| formed = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2004||}}
| headquarters = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| budget = Classified
| employees = 1,081{{cn|date=September 2022}}
| chief1_name = [[Anil Dhasmana]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/anil-dhasmana-is-new-chief-of-ntro-spy-agency-that-keeps-an-eye-from-the-sky/story-rTvVl6VH7NG3pukNyXUExH.html|title=Anil Dhasmana is new chief of NTRO, spy agency that keeps an eye from the sky|date=18 September 2020|newspaper=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
| chief1_position =
| parent_agency = [[Cabinet Secretariat of India|Cabinet Secretariat]]
| website = {{url|ntro.gov.in}}
| child1_agency =
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| minister1_name = [[Narendra Modi]]
| minister1_pfo = [[Prime Minister of India]]
| native_name_r =
| type = Agency
}}

The '''National Technical Research Organisation''' ('''NTRO''') is a [[technical intelligence]] agency<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/ntro-indias-technical-intelligence-agency |title=NTRO: India's Technical Intelligence Agency |date=23 April 2015 |access-date=14 July 2018 |publisher=Indian Defence Review |author=RS Bedi VrC}}</ref> under the [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]] in the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister's Office]], India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/06/stories/2007050609000400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070508182210/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/06/stories/2007050609000400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2007 |title=Technical research agency planned in State |date= 6 May 2007 |access-date=26 December 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |author=Special Correspondent}}</ref> It was set up in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/content_mail.php?option=com_content&name=print&id=1067 |title=Spy versus spy |author=Sandeep Unnithan |publisher=India Today |date= 7 September 2007 |access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref>

It has the same "norms of conduct" as the [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] (IB) and the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (R&AW).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/ntro-now-under-intelligence-act/article18476787.ece |title=NTRO now under Intelligence Act |date=18 May 2017 |access-date=14 July 2018 |work=The Hindu |author=Vijaita Singh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/national-technical-research-organisation-to-have-same-powers-as-ib-raw-4661388/ |title=National Technical Research Organisation to have same powers as IB, R&AW |date=18 May 2017 |access-date=14 July 2018 |publisher=The IndianExpress |author=Rahul Tripathy}}</ref>

==History==
The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), originally known as the National Technical Facilities Organisation (NTFO), is a highly specialised technical intelligence gathering agency. While the agency does not affect the working of technical wings of various intelligence agencies, including those of the [[Indian Armed Forces]], it acts as a super-feeder agency for providing technical intelligence to other agencies on internal and external security. The Group of Ministers (GOM) headed by then Deputy Prime Minister [[L K Advani]] had recommended the constitution of the [[National Technical Facilities Organisation|NTFO]] as a state-of-the-art technical wing of intelligence gathering. Due to security concerns, the recommendation along with such other matters were not made public when the GOM report was published. The organisation does hi-tech surveillance jobs, including satellite monitoring, terrestrial monitoring, [[Internet surveillance|internet monitoring]], considered vital for the national security apparatus. The NTRO would require over {{INRConvert|700|c}} to procure different hi-tech equipment from specialised agencies around the globe to become fully functional. The officials have identified countries from where such gadgets could be procured but refused to reveal them due to 'security and other implications'. The Government had been working in this direction after the [[Kargil war]] in 1999 when the Subrahmanyam committee report pointed out weaknesses in intelligence gathering in the national security set up.<ref name="flip">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080731/jsp/frontpage/story_9625918.jsp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203140412/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080731/jsp/frontpage/story_9625918.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 February 2013 |title=Dad's army versus terror Flop tag on tech trackers |author=BHAVNA VIJ-AURORA |date=31 July 2008 |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref> Sources said the road-map for constitution of the [[National Technical Facilities Organisation]] was prepared by [[Abdul Kalam|Dr A P J Abdul Kalam]] in October 2001 when he was the Principal Scientific Adviser. It was subsequently mentioned in the Group of Ministers report on internal security.

In September 2013, [[Madhya Pradesh]] government allotted 180 [[hectares]] of land to set up the NTRO at Borda village near Bhopal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/state-govt-allots-land-for-ntro-in-borda-village/424811-3-236.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930120857/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/state-govt-allots-land-for-ntro-in-borda-village/424811-3-236.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2013|title=State govt allots land for NTRO in Borda village|date=26 September 2013|work=in.com|access-date=26 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/madhya-pradesh-allots-hectares-of-land-to-set-up-ntro-28441.html|title=Madhya Pradesh allots 180 hectares of land to set up NTRO|work=indiatvnews.com|date=27 September 2013|access-date=26 July 2016}}</ref>

NTRO has been one of the most proactive members of US [[National Security Agency|NSA]]-led 10-member counter-terrorism platform called SIGINT Seniors Pacific (SSPAC) for the last 10 years, a recent tranche of classified documents recently released by whistleblower [[Edward Snowden]] to a website suggests.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/100318/india-joined-us-led-top-secret-alliance-in-2008.html |title=India joined US-led top secret alliance in 2008 |date=10 March 2018 |access-date=14 July 2018 |publisher=The Asian Age |author=Sanjib Kr Baruah}}</ref>

==Organization==
The agency specializes in multiple disciplines, which include remote sensing, [[Signals intelligence|SIGINT]], data gathering and processing, cyber security, [[Geographic data and information|geospatial information gathering]], cryptology, strategic hardware and software development and strategic monitoring.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/08/stories/2007050802822100.htm |title=National tech research body to be housed in Hyderabad |publisher=The Hindu Business Line|date=8 May 2007 |access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref>

The [[National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre]], an agency under the control of National Technical Research Organisation, has been created to monitor, intercept and assess threats to crucial infrastructure and other vital installations from intelligence gathered using sensors and platforms which include satellites, underwater buoys, drones, VSAT-terminal locators and fiber-optic cable nodal tap points.{{fact|date=June 2022}}

It also includes [[National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development]] (NICRD), which is first of its kind in [[Asia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://im.rediff.com/news/2007/may/05tech.htm |title=Top tech body to come up in Hyderabad |author=Syed Amin |work=Rediff.com |date= 5 May 2007 |access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref>

NTRO operates from [[Technology Experiment Satellite]](TES), [[Cartosat-2A]], [[EMISAT]] and [[Cartosat-2B]] besides two [[RISAT|Radar Imaging Satellites]] namely [[RISAT-1]] & [[RISAT-2]]. <ref name="ndtv">{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/isro-successfully-launches-spy-satellite-risat-1-202464?pfrom=home-otherstorieso|title='ISRO successfully launches 'spy satellite' RISAT-1'|date=26 April 2012|publisher=ndtv}}</ref> RISAT-2 was acquired from Israel at a cost $110 million and placed into orbit using a PSLV launcher in 2009.{{fact|date=June 2022}}

NTRO, along with [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] operates a number of Very Long Range Tracking Radar (VLRTR) systems. VLRTR are used for Missile Monitoring and detection of spaceborne threats in aid of Ballistic Missile Defence. These VLRTR sites are located at [[Udaipur]], [[Bhopal]] and [[Balasore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/4YearsOfNDA/Comprehensive-Materials/defence.pdf|title=MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF MINISTRY OF DEFENCE FROM MAY 2014 TO PRESENT}}</ref>

It also operates India's [[spy ship|ocean surveillance]] ship named [[INS Dhruv]], with Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]] |title=India's ocean surveillance ship starts harbour trials |first=Rahul |last=Bedi |date=27 July 2018 |url=http://www.janes.com/article/82048/india-s-ocean-surveillance-ship-starts-harbour-trials?from_rss=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-to-get-own-nuclear-missile-tracking-ship-in-december/articleshow/65047417.cms |title=India to get own nuclear missile tracking ship in December |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=15 September 2018 |newspaper=The EconomicTimes |location=India |author=Manu Pubby}}</ref>

==Activities==

In December 2014, based on [[Signals intelligence|comint]] provided by NTRO, [[Indian Coast Guard]] intercepted a Pakistani fishing boat in Arabian Sea near Indo-Pakistan maritime boundary, approximately 365 km from [[Porbander]]. After few hours of chase and standoff, coast guard fired at the boat thus killing all the 4 occupants. Coast Guard officials stated that the occupants were terrorists and were on their way to undertake a [[2008 Mumbai attacks|26/11]]-type attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/how-ntro-coast-guard-stopped-explosive-laden-pak-ship/20150102.htm|title=How NTRO, Coast Guard stopped explosive-laden Pak ship|work=rediff.com|access-date=26 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/terror-boat-live-people-on-pakistani-vessel-were-suspected-terrorists-says-rajnath-2027425.html/amp|title=Terror' boat Live: People on Pakistani vessel were suspected terrorists, says Rajnath|date=15 January 2015|publisher=First Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/4-feared-killed-as-explosivesladen-pakistan-vessel-sinks-off-gujarat/article6748732.ece/amp/|title=4 feared killed as explosives-laden Pakistan vessel sinks off Gujarat|date=6 January 2015|work=The Hindu}}</ref>

During the [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|2016 Line of Control strike]], NTRO played an important role by providing [[Geospatial intelligence|Satellite intelligence]] to operational advisors and planners. [[Cartosat-2C]], [[Cartosat-1]], [[Resourcesat-2]] satellites operated by NTRO, were used to provide the imagery of terrorist training camps in [[Azad Kashmir|Pakistan-administered Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/70372/cartosat-3-defence-surveillance-isro-surgical-strike/amp/|title=How This Satellite Created by ISRO Helped Indian Soldiers during the Surgical Strike|date=23 June 2016|publisher=The Better India}}</ref>

During [[2019 Balakot airstrike]], NTRO also played an important role. NTRO [[Signals intelligence|surveillance]] confirmed 300 targets via active mobile connections in Markaz Syed Ahmad Shaheed training camp, just few days before IAF airstrike.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/days-before-iaf-balakot-strike-ntro-confirmed-around-300-active-targets-in-jaish-terror-camp-1470222-2019-03-04|title=Days before IAF bombed Jaish camp in Balakot, NTRO confirmed around 300 active targets in facility|date=4 March 2019|publisher=India Today}}</ref>

==Controversies==
* In September 2007, an article appeared in India Today detailing the difficulties faced by the NTRO, specifically how the other spying agencies of the Govt. of India are not allowing the NTRO to fulfill its duties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/1067/Defence/Spy+versus+spy.html|title=Spy vs Spy |publisher=India Today |date=1 September 2010 |access-date=26 April 2010}}</ref>
* In February 2010, Indian Express reported that NTRO has become the first Indian Intelligence Agency to be audited by the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]] (CAG) and an investigation by the [[Central Vigilance Commission]] (CVC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-a-first-for-an-intelligence-agency-cag-a/584232/ |title=CAG to audit NTRO |publisher=Indian Express |date=11 February 2010 |access-date=26 April 2010}}</ref>
* In April 2010, an Outlook India article (issue dated 3 May 2010), detailed further the issues plaguing the organisation, chiefly the issues of nepotism, inefficiency and corruption amidst the telephone tapping scandal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265193 |title=Who Monitors the Monitor? |publisher=Outlook India |date=21 April 2010 |access-date=26 April 2010}}</ref>
* In June 2011, Indian media broke the news that CAG has found that Israeli UAVs bought by NTRO in 2007 at the cost of {{INRConvert|450|c}} was lying unused as the bundled satellite link purchased was not meant for dedicated military transmission, which would have made it vulnerable to electronic eavesdropping. An internal enquiry was ordered by PMO to find out if there has been a case of financial corruption.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.governancenow.com/news/regular-story/cag-unearths-rs-450-crore-scam |title=CAG unearths Rs 450 crore scam |publisher=GovernanceNow.com |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=9 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/cag-nails-raws-wing-in-rs-450-cr-uav-purchase-scam/20110615.htm |title=CAG nails RAW arm in Rs 450-cr UAV purchase scam – Rediff.com India News |work=Rediff.com |date=15 June 2011 |access-date=9 December 2012}}</ref>
* The Supreme Court of India, has ordered a probe into the allegations of financial irregularities in the procurement of military hardware. The lawsuit was filed by a whistleblower VK Mittal, who resigned as a senior scientist of NTRO and pursued initiatives to unmask the officers behind the {{INRConvert|800|c}} scandals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_court-to-probe-into-national-research-organisation-rs800-crore-scam_1576748 |title=Court to probe into national research organisation Rs800 crore scam – India – DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=17 August 2011|access-date=9 September 2012}}</ref> The court also observed that it might have to monitor the investigation, given the nature of allegations which point to systemic corruption in the procurement of surveillance equipment.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nikhil Kanekal |url=http://www.livemint.com/2011/08/16215636/SC-wants-explanation-on-NTRO-s.html?h=B |title=SC wants explanation on NTRO scandal; issues notices to centre |publisher=Livemint |date=16 August 2011 |access-date=9 December 2012}}</ref> In later proceedings Supreme court of India clarified its stand on the progress of the investigation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-28/india/35410103_1_offensive-operations-and-communication-operations-and-communication-support-satellite-and-airborne-imagery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206230224/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-28/india/35410103_1_offensive-operations-and-communication-operations-and-communication-support-satellite-and-airborne-imagery|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=No more monitoring of probe into NTRO purchases: SC|date=27 November 2012}}</ref>
* In September 2011, an article appeared in The Times of India about how the spy agency had to force an officer 'to quit in 2007 after he used counter-intelligence equipment, including a hidden camera, to bug the bathroom of its security and counter-intelligence director in NTRO headquarters in Delhi. The official was found guilty of placing a hidden, 'pin-hole' camera in the bathroom and linking it to his office computer. The bathroom, located on the second floor of the building, was used by not just the counterintelligence director Anil Malhotra but several other officials, including women staffers.' The incident came to light in September 2007 itself, but was hushed up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-21/india/30183956_1_ntro-women-staffers-cag-report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106133838/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-21/india/30183956_1_ntro-women-staffers-cag-report|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|title=NTRO staffer booted out for loo snoop |date=21 September 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=21 September 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/todays-newspaper/10751-ntros-ethical-hackers-to-conquer-china.html NTRO's ethical hackers to conquer China] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006170126/http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/todays-newspaper/10751-ntros-ethical-hackers-to-conquer-china.html |date=6 October 2011 }}</ref>
* In August 2011, a whistleblower reported that NTRO has tapped 750,000 phones illegally. The matter was hushed up and no investigation was done.<ref>{{cite news|title=Did NTRO tap phones?|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/Did-NTRO-tap-phones/articleshow/4380345.cms|access-date=19 July 2012|newspaper=Times of India|date=2 August 2011}}</ref>
* In April 2013, the department of electronics and information technology (DeitY) accused NTRO of cracking national informatics center (NIC) network.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Ajmer|date=22 April 2013|title=NTRO hacking email IDs of officials, says govt's IT dept|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/ntro-hacking-email-ids-of-officials-says-govts-it-dept/1105875/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=Indian Express}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[NATGRID]]
*[[DRDO NETRA|NETRA]]
*[[Mass surveillance in India]]
*[[Central Monitoring System]]
*[[Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring]]
*[[Multi Agency Centre (India)]]
*[[List of Indian intelligence agencies]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Telecom/Govt_to_DoT_Ensure_strict_verification_for_SIMs/articleshow/3888115.cms Govt to DoT: Ensure strict verification for SIMs]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070508182210/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/06/stories/2007050609000400.htm Technical research agency planned in State]
* [https://ntro.gov.in/ National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) - Official website]

{{Indian intelligence agencies}}
{{National intelligence agencies}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Indian intelligence agencies]]
[[Category:Research and Analysis Wing]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Delhi]]
[[Category:Cyber Security in India]]

National Technical Research Organisation - Revision history

ShannonAguayo at 19:14, 11 February 2026

Ajay Kumar: Updated the article +/-

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article