Parag Jain Appointed as New RAW Chief: Counter-Terror Veteran to Lead India’s External Intelligence

With deep experience in J&K and Operation Sindoor, Jain takes charge amid rising geopolitical tensions

New Delhi : Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre, has been appointed as the next chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s external intelligence agency. Jain will assume office on July 1 for a fixed term of two years, succeeding Ravi Sinha, whose tenure concludes on June 30.

A seasoned intelligence officer, Jain brings over three decades of operational and strategic expertise to his new role. Known in intelligence circles as a ‘super sleuth,’ Jain has earned a reputation for skillfully combining human (HUMINT) and technical (TECHINT) intelligence in high-stakes missions.

One of his most notable achievements came during Operation Sindoor, a classified mission that enabled precision missile strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. While the strikes lasted minutes, officials note the mission’s success was built on years of meticulous groundwork under Jain’s direction.

Jain’s field experience in Jammu and Kashmir—one of India’s most complex security landscapes—will be invaluable in the evolving global context. His tenure in districts such as Bhatinda, Mansa, and Ludhiana during Punjab’s post-militancy phase helped sharpen his understanding of asymmetric warfare and insurgency dynamics.

Currently heading the Aviation Research Centre, Jain has also represented India in intelligence roles in Canada and Sri Lanka, adding a diplomatic edge to his career. He was empanelled for top central posts and promoted as Director General of Police in Punjab in 2021, though he continued serving on central deputation.

Described by colleagues as methodical and discreet, Jain is expected to steer RAW with a blend of traditional tradecraft and modern intelligence tools. His familiarity with the Af-Pak region and focus on counterterror networks is anticipated to shape India’s external intelligence strategy, especially as cross-border infiltration and regional instability continue to pose serious challenges.

His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on June 28, ending weeks of speculation over Ravi Sinha’s successor. Jain’s leadership marks a significant shift from Sinha’s relatively low-profile tenure to a more strategic and assertive approach.

As Parag Jain prepares to lead RAW, he faces the dual challenge of strengthening operational capabilities while maintaining the agency’s hallmark discretion. With his sharp instincts and proven track record, officials are confident that Jain will guide India’s external intelligence through a turbulent global security landscape.