Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre, has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s premier external intelligence agency. His two-year term begins on July 1, 2025, succeeding Ravi Sinha .
Early Career & Foundation
Jain began his career amid the turbulence of 1990s Punjab, serving in critical roles in Bathinda, Mansa, and Hoshiarpur, and later as SSP Chandigarh and DIG Ludhiana . He was promoted to DGP-equivalent rank in January 2021, reflecting early recognition of his leadership and national security value .
International and J&K Deployments
Parag Jain also represented India abroad, working in Canada and Sri Lanka, where he contributed to countering Khalistani separatists and expanding diplomatic ties. Domestically, he was involved in counter-terror operations in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly around the abrogation of Article 370 and subsequent operations .
Heading the Aviation Research Centre & Operation Sindoor
Before his RAW appointment, Jain led the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), a vital intelligence unit under the Cabinet Secretariat. ARC was instrumental in Operation Sindoor, a coordinated counter-attack following the Pahalgam terrorist assault in April 2025.
Operation Sindoor, executed on May 6–7, 2025, involved precise strikes using missiles and drones on terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. ARC under Jain provided crucial real-time intelligence on Pakistani military and terror assets, enabling surgical action.
Leadership Through Jointness
Operation Sindoor’s success was attributed to a high degree of inter-service jointness, leveraging coordination across intelligence, cyber, space, and military domains. Jain’s role in intelligence fusion with agencies like NTRO and DIA was central to this success, making him a strategic asset for modern hybrid warfare planning.
What’s Next?
In a period marked by evolving geopolitical dynamics and escalation of cross-border threats from Pakistan – including heightened terror risks and infrastructure strain – Jain takes charge of RAW at a pivotal juncture. His blend of field experience, diplomatic engagements, and intelligence operations positions him well to lead India’s external intelligence community.
A Strategic Shift for RAW
Parag Jain’s elevation to RAW chief symbolizes a strategic pivot. With deep roots in counter-insurgency during the tumultuous 1990s in Punjab and extensive postings in Canada, Sri Lanka, and Jammu & Kashmir, Jain brings a rare blend of operational expertise and geopolitical insight. More importantly, his leadership of the Aviation Research Centre and pivotal role in Operation Sindoor have demonstrated his capability to drive precise, technology-driven intelligence operations – an invaluable asset amid escalating regional tensions.
As global and regional threats intensify, Jain’s tenure, beginning July 1, 2025, comes at a crucial juncture. His success in cultivating integrated capabilities across military, cyber, and intelligence domains marks him as the right choice to steer RAW forward. Under his stewardship, India’s external intelligence apparatus is poised to evolve, embracing a dynamic, tech-savvy, and strategic future.