Senior IPS officer Parag Jain has been appointed as the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s premier external intelligence agency, sources told NDTV. A 1989-batch officer from the Punjab cadre, Jain is known for his sharp operational instincts and extensive experience in handling high-stakes intelligence operations.
His appointment comes at a crucial time for India’s national security landscape. Jain played a pivotal role in intelligence coordination during Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed. The attack prompted India to launch deep strikes into Pakistani territory, accusing Islamabad of backing the perpetrators—a charge Pakistan denied, demanding an international investigation. A ceasefire was reached on May 10, ending four days of escalated conflict.
Currently heading RAW’s Aviation Research Centre (ARC)—which handles aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering—Jain is the second-highest-ranking officer in the agency. He will succeed Ravi Sinha, the outgoing chief, who retires on June 30. Jain is expected to serve a two-year term as RAW director.
With a RAW tenure spanning over two decades, Jain has held key roles on the Pakistan desk and in Jammu & Kashmir, including during the abrogation of Article 370. He began his career in Punjab during the peak of militancy, holding posts like Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG)—experiences that shaped his counter-terrorism credentials.
Internationally, Jain served in Indian missions in Sri Lanka and Canada, where he was notably involved in tracking Khalistani extremist groups, enhancing India’s overseas counter-terror operations.