Junior Analyst- Counter Terrorism Studies- North Eastern Sector

Organisation: Centre for Internal Security Analysis (CISA)

Division: Counter Terrorism Division

Position: Junior Analyst

Location: Preferably Guwahati, Assam / Hybrid

Experience Level: Entry Level / Early Career

About the Centre:

The Centre for Internal Security Analysis (CISA) is an independent research and policy institution dedicated to advancing research, dialogue and policy engagement on issues concerning India's internal security and national resilience.

CISA works across areas including counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, border management, organised crime, narcotics and illicit trafficking, policing, disaster management, coastal and maritime security, emerging technologies, information security and the security-development challenges of India's North-Eastern Region.

Through its Counter Terrorism Division, CISA undertakes research and analysis on evolving terrorist and extremist threats, radicalisation, insurgency, transnational security networks, terror financing, emerging technologies and their implications for national security.

About the Role

CISA is seeking a motivated and research-oriented Junior Analyst to join its Counter Terrorism Division.

The Analyst will support CISA's research, publications, policy dialogues and strategic analysis relating to terrorism, insurgency, radicalisation and emerging internal security challenges, with a particular emphasis on North-East India and India's eastern neighbourhood.

The position is well suited for an early-career researcher seeking practical exposure to security studies, intelligence analysis, policy research and engagement with experts from the security, academic, law-enforcement and government communities.

The position will be based in Guwahati, Assam, with the possibility of a hybrid working arrangement depending on organisational and project requirements.

Key Responsibilities The Junior Analyst will be expected to:

- Conduct structured research on terrorism, radicalisation, insurgency, extremism, organised crime and other internal security challenges.
- Monitor developments relating to terrorist organisations, insurgent groups, extremist networks and security incidents affecting India and its neighbourhood.
- Undertake focused research on security developments across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
- Analyse developments along India's international frontiers, particularly the India–Myanmar and India–Bangladesh borders.
- Track regional security developments in Bangladesh, Myanmar and other parts of South and Southeast Asia that may have implications for India's internal security.
- Prepare research notes, situation briefs, background papers, threat assessments, policy briefs and analytical reports.
- Assist in the preparation of CISA monographs, research publications and thematic studies.
- Conduct open-source research using government publications, parliamentary documents, court records, academic literature, media reporting, databases and credible open-source intelligence.
- Maintain structured databases relating to terrorist incidents, insurgent activity, narcotics trafficking, border-security incidents and other relevant indicators.
- Assist senior analysts in identifying trends, patterns,



networks and emerging threat indicators.
- Monitor statements, publications and propaganda released by terrorist, insurgent and extremist organisations through lawful and publicly available sources.
- Contribute to research on online radicalisation, misinformation, extremist propaganda and the use of emerging technologies by hostile actors.
- Assist in organising conferences, roundtables, expert interviews, workshops and CISA's regional security dialogues.

Research Themes

Depending on ongoing projects, the successful candidate may work on areas including:

- Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
- Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency
- Radicalisation and Violent Extremism
- Terror Financing
- Online Extremism and Digital Radicalisation
- Intelligence and Security Analysis
- Border Security and Transnational Threats
- India–Myanmar Security Dynamics
- India–Bangladesh Security Dynamics
- Security Challenges in North-East India
- Narcotics and the Narco-Terrorism Nexus
- Illegal Arms and Transnational Criminal Networks
- Organised Crime
- Emerging Technologies and National Security
- Drone and Unmanned-System Threats
- Artificial Intelligence and Security
- Information Warfare and Influence Operations
- Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Former Militants
- Community Resilience and Prevention of Violent Extremism
- Policing, Investigation and Counter-Terrorism Policy

Essential Qualifications Candidates should possess a Bachelor's or Master's degree, completed or nearing completion, in a relevant discipline such as:

- International Relations
- Defence and Strategic Studies
- Security Studies
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Law
- Peace and Conflict Studies
- Intelligence Studies
- North-East India Studies

Exceptional candidates from other academic backgrounds with demonstrable interest in security and strategic affairs may also be considered. Skills and Competencies The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

- Strong research and analytical ability.
- Excellent written English.
- Ability to summarise complex developments clearly and concisely.
- Strong attention to detail and source verification.
- Familiarity with academic and policy research methodologies.
- Ability to distinguish credible information from speculation, misinformation and poorly sourced reporting.
- Ability to work with government reports, policy documents, datasets and academic literature.
- Strong internet and open-source research skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a research team.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Intellectual curiosity and willingness to work across multiple security-related subjects.
- Professional discretion when working on sensitive research topics.

Desirable Skills: Preference may be given to candidates possessing one or more of the following:

- Prior research experience relating to terrorism, insurgency, border security or North-East India.




- Familiarity with security dynamics in Assam and the wider North-Eastern Region.
- Knowledge of political and security developments in Myanmar or Bangladesh.
- Experience with OSINT methodologies and AI tools.
- Experience working with datasets, spreadsheets, data visualisation or basic statistical analysis.
- Familiarity with GIS or geospatial analysis.
- Experience conducting literature reviews and preparing policy briefs.
- Previous internship or research experience with a think tank, university, media organisation, government institution, security organisation or policy research centre.
- Knowledge of Assamese, Bengali or languages spoken across the North-Eastern Region.
- Familiarity with AI-enabled research and analytical tools.

Candidates are not expected to possess all of the above skills. CISA particularly encourages applications from young researchers demonstrating strong analytical ability, curiosity and a serious interest in internal security studies.

What You Will Gain:

The position provides an prospect to work closely with CISA's network of researchers, security practitioners, academics, former military and police officers, policymakers and subject-matter experts.

The Junior Analyst will gain practical exposure to:

- Security and intelligence analysis methodologies.
- Counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency research.
- Open-source intelligence and structured information analysis.
- Policy research and policy-writing techniques.
- Regional security analysis focused on North-East India.
- Preparation of threat assessments and analytical briefs.
- Research publication and monograph development.
- Engagement with government, security and academic stakeholders.
- Organisation of high-level security dialogues and conferences.

High-performing analysts may progressively take responsibility for independent research projects, publications and specialist thematic portfolios within the Division.

Location and Working Arrangement:

Primary Location: Guwahati, Assam

CISA may consider a hybrid working arrangement, although candidates should be available for in-person meetings, research activities, conferences and institutional engagements in Guwahati and elsewhere in North-East India when required.

The position may occasionally involve travel within North-East India for research, conferences, stakeholder meetings and field-based engagements.

Candidate Profile:

CISA is particularly interested in applicants who:

- Closely follow security and strategic developments.
- Enjoy reading, researching and investigating complex subjects.
- Are comfortable working with large volumes of information.
- Can approach sensitive issues objectively and analytically.
- Want to build a long-term career in strategic affairs, security studies, public policy, intelligence analysis or related fields.
- Have a genuine interest in understanding the evolving security environment of North-East India and India's eastern frontiers.

Application:

Interested candidates may submit

1. Curriculum Vitae / Resume
2. Brief Statement of Interest
3. Writing Sample, preferably relating to security, international relations, public policy, strategic affairs or North-East India

Applicants may also include links to previously published articles, research papers or other analytical work where available.

📌 Junior Analyst-North Eastern Sector-Fall 2026 (Mumbai)
🏢 Centre for Internal Security Analysis
📍 Mumbai