How Many ISI Agents Operate in India? Jyoti Case Unveils Espionage Network Secrets

International News: After serious allegations of sedition and espionage against Haryana's YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, a question is rapidly rising among social media and security agencies - how much money does Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI pays its detectives?

This question is also in discussion because Jyoti's luxury lifestyle is going viral on social media, in which various speculations are being made about her expensive cars, foreign travel and high-profile lifestyle.

From job to YouTuber and then from espionage

According to sources, Jyoti Malhotra worked in a private company till 2020. After leaving the job, She started the YouTube channel, making him earning a little. Meanwhile, she came in contact with agents of Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and allegedly shared sensitive information related to the country.

Although it is not yet clear how much money Jyoti was given by ISI, but on the same excuse, the economic structure of ISI's detective network has also started.

How does ISI decide the price of a detective?

The amount received in lieu of espionage depends on the location of the detective, the sensitivity of the source, and the importance of information. ISI pays relatively low in relatively less sensitive countries like Thailand, Myanmar, while India is willing to pay a hefty amount for high priority countries like India, America, Israel.

According to reports, the Government of Pakistan allocates a special budget of about 5 billion Pakistani rupees to ISI every year, of which a large part goes into the internal expenses of the detectives and the internal expenses of the agency. ISI currently has around 4,000 permanent employees and many independent agents are connected to it.

Does ISI really give such a hefty amount?

• From the revelations of the captured detectives, it is certain that the amount depends on the category of information.
• The ISI agent, arrested from Amritsar in February 2025, said that ISI gives around Rs 5,000 for small information, while for large and sensitive information up to Rs 10,000.
• In 2011, an official caught in the US claimed that Pakistan had given him around Rs 3 crore instead of espionage.
• This indicates that ISI pays detectives according to their position, access and depth of information.

Did Jyoti also get a hefty amount from ISI?

The investigation so far has not revealed how much amount was given to Jyoti Malhotra by ISI. However, the way she was demonstrating expensive things and comfortable lives on social media, there is definitely indication that she may have gained financial benefits.

Investigation agencies are currently trying to find out how much money came from abroad in their bank accounts, whether any hawala channel was used and how was the digital network related to Pakistan.

Steering now an organized and sponsored business

The case of Jyoti Malhotra once again reveals that Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI is also targeting common people to spread espionage networks in India. And for this she is using money, convenience and digital platforms.

Now the biggest challenge before the investigating agencies is to find out how many other people like Jyoti are in touch with ISI and on which levels have been threatened by India's security.