[3] The Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency is the head of the entire organisation.

DIA controls the Indian Armed Forces' technical intelligence assets – the Directorate of Signals Intelligence, a tri-service agency, and the Defence Image Processing and Analysis Centre (DIPAC).

While the Signals Directorate is responsible for acquiring and decrypting enemy communications, the DIPAC controls India's satellite-based image acquisition capabilities.

[4] The DIA also coordinates the Defence Information Warfare Agency (DIWA) which handles all elements of the information warfare repertoire, including psychological operations, cyber-war, electronic intercepts and the monitoring of sound waves.

[2] These distinct services were not able to effectively coordinate intelligence operations and sharing of information.