Parag Jain to succeed Ravi Sinha as RAW Chief from July 1
The Centre has appointed senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Parag Jain as the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s external intelligence agency. Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, will assume charge on July 1, taking over from incumbent Ravi Sinha, whose tenure ends on June 30. Jain has been given a fixed term of two years.
Currently serving as the head of RAW’s Aviation Research Centre (ARC), Jain is the second most senior officer in the agency. His responsibilities at ARC included overseeing aerial surveillance and strategic reconnaissance.
Known for precision intelligence operations
Within intelligence circles, Jain is regarded as a ‘super sleuth‘ with expertise in integrating human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (TECHINT). His leadership was instrumental during Operation Sindoor, when Indian missile strikes targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Though the strikes were swift, officials emphasized that the underlying intelligence and years of groundwork enabled the success of the mission.
Jain’s significant experience in Jammu and Kashmir, including during the abrogation of Article 370, positions him well to lead RAW during a time of heightened regional and global security challenges.
Track record in domestic and international intelligence roles
Jain’s career spans critical postings in Punjab during the height of militancy, where he served as SSP and DIG in several districts. He was promoted to Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab in 2021 but was on central deputation at the time and received notional seniority.
He has also held international assignments in Sri Lanka and Canada, where he monitored Khalistani networks and cross-border extremist elements. His role in Canada was notable for tracking terror modules tied to separatist activities.
Jain is also empanelled for senior positions at the central level, underscoring his credentials in India’s national intelligence framework.
Transition after the low-profile tenure of Ravi Sinha
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet officially cleared Jain’s name on June 28, putting an end to speculation about Sinha’s successor. Sinha’s tenure was marked by a relatively low profile but steady intelligence operations.
Jain steps into the role at a sensitive time, with the memory of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack still fresh. That attack, which killed 26 civilians, prompted retaliatory strikes by India as part of Operation Sindoor. A ceasefire was reached on May 10 after four days of hostilities.
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