New Delhi: In a significant move to strengthen India’s external intelligence apparatus, the Central Government has appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, as the next Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).
Mr Jain will take over from outgoing chief Ravi Sinha on July 1, 2025, for a fixed two-year term.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet cleared Jain’s appointment on June 28, ending weeks of speculation over who would helm the agency amid growing regional security concerns.
Veteran of Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Operations
Mr Jain brings over three decades of experience in intelligence, internal security, and counter-terror operations. He is widely credited for his leadership during Operation Sindoor, a high-stakes intelligence-led mission that enabled precision missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Described as a “super sleuth” in intelligence circles, he is known for seamlessly integrating human intelligence (HUMINT) and technical intelligence (TECHINT) to support surgical military operations.
Deep Experience in Kashmir and Foreign Postings
Mr Jain’s extensive ground experience in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly during the abrogation of Article 370, as well as during Operation Balakot, strengthens his credentials. He has held key positions including SSP Chandigarh, DIG Ludhiana, and has served in Bhatinda, Mansa, and Hoshiarpur during the peak of Punjab militancy.
He has also represented India overseas in Canada and Sri Lanka, where he tracked Khalistani networks and warned of emerging extremist threats well before they entered mainstream discourse.
Leadership Role During Institutional Challenges
IPS Jain was promoted to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Punjab in 2021, though he was serving on central deputation at the time. He has also been empanelled to serve in positions equivalent to DGP at the central level, affirming his seniority and capability within India’s intelligence hierarchy.
His appointment comes at a crucial time for R&AW, which has faced criticism for recent intelligence lapses, including its failure to anticipate the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, despite rising anti-India rhetoric from Pakistan’s top military leadership.
What Lies Ahead: Strategic Shift in Intelligence
With Field Marshal Asim Munir at the helm of Pakistan’s military and cross-border terror activities on the rise, India’s external intelligence is expected to pivot toward strengthening ground networks and human intelligence capabilities.
The ongoing geopolitical challenges in the Maldives and Bangladesh, where R&AW was criticized for delayed responses, have also increased pressure to modernize operations, expand surveillance depth, and improve early warning systems.
Parag Jain’s Mission at R&AW
Mr Jain’s task will be to lead a revamp of India’s external intelligence strategy, focusing on enhancing ground-level assets, expanding HUMINT capacity, and building a responsive network to tackle emerging threats, particularly from Pakistan, China, and hostile diaspora groups abroad.
About RAW
Established in 1968, RAW’s first director was RN Kao, who is widely regarded as India’s master spy. He served as RAW’s head for nearly a decade, from 1968 to 1977. In 1976, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi extended his tenure, after which Kao was appointed as the Security Advisor to the Union Cabinet – effectively becoming India’s first National Security Advisor. Later, he continued to serve Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi as a special advisor on security matters, helping to establish and maintain relations with intelligence chiefs worldwide.
