New Delhi: Parag Jain has been appointed as the new chief of the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s top external intelligence agency.
His appointment was confirmed just days before the current chief’s term ends.Whille outgoing Chief Ravi Sinha was not given extension.
The change in the post of RAW Chief has been declared as a part of the strategy of Modi government. India has brought changed in the RAW chief after the recent escaltion with Pakistan.
Parag Jain past has been remained entact with focus and concentration on operations related to Pakistan.
Modi government wanted to safeguard its political position with the change in the RAW leadership While the RAW leadership has been changed after pressure mounted regarding its failure.
The appointement of Parag Jain is being understood as a symbol of increasing focus on the region.
On the other hand the some anylyst declaring the change of outgoing RAW Chief Ravi Sinha as the Indian government face saving.
Jain will succeed Ravi Sinha, who has been serving as RAW chief since June 2023. Sinha’s tenure officially ends on June 30, after which Jain will take over the role on a fixed two-year term starting July 1.
Sources in the security establishment describe Parag Jain as a “neighbourhood specialist” with extensive experience in regional intelligence, cross-border strategy, and covert operations.
His deep knowledge of India’s external security environment, especially South Asia, is expected to guide RAW’s strategic direction under his leadership.
The appointment reflects continuity in India’s external intelligence leadership at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and complex regional dynamics. Jain’s elevation was widely anticipated in intelligence circles.
Parag Jain: Profile of the New RAW Chief
IPS Background and Career Trajectory
Parag Jain is a 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Punjab cadre.
Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he has earned a reputation for tactical intelligence, strategic thinking, and operational leadership.
Early in his career, he served in various key districts in Punjab during the period of heightened terrorism, holding positions such as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
RAW Tenure and Key Assignments
Jain has served for over 20 years within RAW, gaining deep institutional knowledge of India’s external intelligence architecture.
He is known for his work on the Pakistan desk, where he handled cross-border espionage, terror financing, and counter-terror intelligence.
He also held strategic overseas postings at Indian Missions in Sri Lanka and Canada. During his assignment in Canada, Jain was instrumental in tracking and countering Khalistani terror modules, a critical task given the resurgence of separatist sentiments in the diaspora.
Current Role in ARC
Before this elevation, Parag Jain headed the Aviation Research Centre (ARC)—a vital arm of RAW responsible for aerial surveillance, signal interception, and satellite imagery analysis.
His tenure at ARC has been marked by significant advancements in aerial reconnaissance technology, which played a role in Operation Sindoor’s real-time monitoring and planning.
Transition and Tenure
According to top government sources, Jain’s initial tenure will be two years, subject to extension based on performance and national security needs.
Strategic Implications of His Appointment
The appointment of Parag Jain comes at a time of escalating global intelligence warfare, regional instability, and rising threats from transnational terror networks.
His extensive field experience, knowledge of Pakistan’s covert strategies, and deep understanding of diaspora-linked extremism positions him well to steer RAW through emerging challenges.
Moreover, Jain’s familiarity with technological intelligence platforms, including drone-based surveillance and AI-driven threat mapping, aligns with the government’s push for a tech-enabled intelligence framework.
The post Indian govt appoints Parag Jain as RAW chief as face saving after failure of outgoing chief appeared first on Karachi News.