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Smart Skills
Whether it is the Mumbai blasts, the Volcker Report or the much-flogged Bofors case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI ) is on call, and very much in the news. As the premier investigating police agency, the CBI has a major role to play in preserving the integrity of the country and in ensuring the health of the national economy. Every day, we hear about major criminal cases such as that of Jessica Lal and Priyadarshani Mattoo, and huge corruption scandals, from the Taj corridor case to bank frauds, and increasing terrorist activities in all parts of the country. The CBI is the organisation responsible for investigating such criminal activities in the country, and those having interstate and international ramifications, and ensuring that the guilty are brought to book. It is also the nodal police agency in India that coordinates investigations on behalf of Interpol member countries. It was due to the efforts of the CBI that criminals like Abu Salem and his girlfriend Monica Bedi have been extradited for prosecution in India. With the increase in corruption, crime and terrorist activities, it is not surprising that the CBI's multi-dimensional role has attracted and inspired many young people in the country. While law and order is a State subject and the basic jurisdiction to investigate crime lies with the state police, the CBI is called in when the cases are essentially against Central Government employees or concerning affairs of the Centre, or breaches of Central Laws, or those which affect the financial interests of the Union Government. The CBI is also called in for cases that have interstate and international ramifications so that a single investigating agency can take charge of the investigation. Work areas
The work of the CBI broadly covers the collection of criminal intelligence pertaining to three of its main areas of operation---anti-corruption, economic crimes and special crimes. The Anti-Corruption Division handles all cases of corruption and fraud committed by ministers, politicians and all government officials working under the control of the Central Government. The Anti-Corruption Division, therefore, maintains liaison with various government departments through their Vigilance Officers, makes enquiries into complaints about bribery and corruption, investigates and prosecutes offences pertaining to bribery and corruption and handles all tasks relating to the preventive aspects of corruption. The Economic Offences Division investigates financial crimes, bank frauds, money laundering, foreign exchange violations, illegal money market operations, smuggling of narcotics, antiques, and other contraband items and graft in public sector undertakings and banks. The Special Crimes Division handles all cases of terrorism, bomb blasts, sensational homicides, kidnapping for ransom and crimes committed by the mafia/the underworld and so on, as well as offences relating to internal security, espionage, sabotage, narcotics and psychotropic substances, murders, dowry deaths, suspicious deaths and other IPC offences. It is also responsible for investigation of interstate and international rackets, large-scale frauds affecting the property or revenue of the government and crimes of national importance. There are several others jobs in the CBI, including the Technical Advisory Units that provide expert guidance and assistance in banking, taxation, engineering and foreign trading/foreign exchange matters during enquiries and investigations, while the Directorate of Prosecution provides legal advice and conducts the prosecution in CBI cases. The CBI also has the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) that provides expert opinion on various aspects of forensic science concerning criminal investigation. CFSL experts are summoned for appearing before courts and their services utilised for the inspection of scenes of crime. The laboratory has a research and development set-up to collect and analyse forensic evidence. Recruitment route
Recruitment to the CBI is directly through competitive exams, or through deputation from the police service or promotion from within the service. While most of the senior posts in the CBI are filled by IPS officers on deputation, or from other police and all-India services, direct recruitment is conducted according to vacancies for junior level posts of Sub-inspector, and for Assistant Public Prosecutor and Senior Public Prosecutor. Eligibility
Sub-Inspectors for the CBI, the mainstay of the organisation who conduct the investigations throughout the country, are selected from within the service, or from similar ranks in the police service or other All-India services. But 25 per cent of these posts are filled directly and recruited through the Central Staff Selection Commission competitive exam held in July-August each year at various centres in the country. To be eligible, you need to be a graduate between 18-25 years, with a minimum height of 5'6" and chest 32". The written test in English covers general knowledge and topics on current affairs and is followed by an interview and medical test. Assistant Public Prosecutors are required to be law graduates with a minimum of five years' experience, while 10 years' experience is required for the post of Senior Public Prosecutor. Deputations
While appointment to most of the posts of Senior Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police, Additional Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police is done through deputation, for 10 per cent of posts of Deputy Superintendent of Police in the CBI the recruitment is done through the UPSC exam. Those recruited directly are sent to the CBI Academy at Ghaziabad that is a modern police training centre. Here, they are provided specialised knowledge and skills that enable them to function as modern crime investigators. Officers from the IPS are sent to the Police Academy at Hyderabad, or the CBI training Centre at Delhi. Skill set
But to be successful in this field you are required to be physically fit, mentally alert and highly motivated. You need a sharp analytical mind, great presence of mind under stress, and an ability to handle painstaking investigation with single-minded determination that can at times involve fieldwork in dangerous or inaccessible areas. In a world of increasing crime, and terror, there is a growing need for intelligence services such as the CBI. S, if you are prepared for a life of adventure, and are honest and sincere in your commitment to work against crime, then the CBI will be not just another government job, but a fulfilling career. The writer is a noted
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The many stories of crime and investigation have intrigued and inspired many young people to opt for the police service, and in particular intelligence services such as the CBI. 
