Senior IPS officer Parag Jain has been appointed as the new Chief of India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), effective July 1, 2025. Known for his strategic and operational expertise, he succeeds Ravi Sinha after the latter’s two-year tenure.

Jain played a vital role in the successful execution of Operation Sindoor and is widely respected for his work in HUMINT and TECHINT operations.

Key Points:

1. Parag Jain is a 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre and will serve as RAW chief for two years.

2. He was instrumental in Operation Sindoor, a May 2025 cross-border intelligence-led strike that dismantled terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.

3. As the head of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), Jain oversaw satellite and drone-based surveillance that enabled precision targeting during Operation Sindoor.

4. His appointment signals a greater emphasis on integrating human and technical intelligence (HUMINT + TECHINT) in external surveillance and counter-terror operations.

5. Jain’s global experience includes postings in Canada and Sri Lanka, and he was active during key events like the abrogation of Article 370 and the Balakot airstrikes.

Who is Parag Jain
Parag Jain is a highly experienced intelligence officer who has spent nearly three decades working within RAW. He is recognized for his quiet but impactful leadership style and deep domain expertise on India’s neighbourhood, particularly Pakistan and China. During his IPS tenure in Punjab, he served in counter-terror roles in Bathinda, Mansa, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh. In RAW, he became known for successfully integrating HUMINT and TECHINT, earning a reputation as a “super sleuth.” As Chief of ARC, he led India’s airborne surveillance and was a key planner behind several strategic operations, including Operation Sindoor, where real-time intelligence led to high-precision airstrikes. His appointment reinforces India’s commitment to high-tech intelligence gathering and robust national security operations.