Pakistan expert Parag Jain appointed as new RAW Chief, succeeds Ravi Sinha

The central government has appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Punjab cadre, as the next chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India's external intelligence agency.

Jain will take over from the current chief Ravi Sinha, whose tenure concludes on June 30, 2025. The appointment is for a fixed two-year term, with Jain scheduled to assume office on July 1, 2025.

Parag Jain is currently the second senior-most official in R&AW, after outgoing chief Ravi Sinha.


Jain presently heads the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), the aerial intelligence arm of R&AW responsible for surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

With over two decades of experience within the agency, Jain has held several critical roles, including leading the Pakistan desk and serving during high-stakes operations in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly during the abrogation of Article 370.

Earlier in his policing career, he played a key role in counter-terrorism efforts in Punjab, serving as Senior Superintendent of Police and Deputy Inspector General in various districts during the peak of insurgency.

His international assignments include postings at Indian missions in Sri Lanka and Canada, where he tracked and reported on Khalistani terror networks operating from abroad.

A seasoned intelligence officer, Parag Jain has held various sensitive positions related to national security and foreign intelligence.

His elevation to the top post of RAW comes at a time when India’s external security dynamics remain complex and closely linked to evolving geopolitical developments.