The central government on Saturday appointed senior IPS officer Parag Jain as the new chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). He will hold the responsibility for two years and replace Ravi Sinha, whose term will end on June 30. Jain, currently the head of the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), has played a key role in strengthening India’s external intelligence capabilities.
Under his leadership, the ARC gathered crucial intelligence during ‘Operation Sindoor’ when it was of utmost importance to keep an eye on Pakistan’s military activities and terrorist formations.
Who Is Parag Jain?
Parag Jain, an IPS officer from the 1989 batch of the Punjab cadre, brings a remarkable background of hands-on field experience and strategic intelligence expertise as he ascends to a leading role in India’s top intelligence agency. Currently the second most senior officer of the R&AW, he reports directly to the chief and is entrusted with overseeing several high-risk operations and intelligence units. With over 15 years of service in R&AW, he has become a key figure in India’s counter-terrorism structure.
Experienced Operator
Jain’s expertise spans various sensitive and critical areas, such as counter-terrorism operations, internal security of Punjab, Khalistan-linked movements, and surveillance of cross-border migrant networks. His operational experience spans the tumultuous period of Punjab militancy, including important postings in Bhatinda, Mansa, Hoshiarpur and leadership roles as SSP in Chandigarh and DIG in Ludhiana. In external intelligence, Jain handled the Pakistan desk and was posted at crucial times after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and Operation Balakot.
Global Intelligence Experience
His international experience has also been impressive. In Ottawa, Canada, Jain played a key role in monitoring and infiltrating militant Sikh separatist networks while keeping a close watch on the dynamics of the diaspora community. Subsequently, his posting in Sri Lanka provided him with valuable insights on regime instability and foreign political transitions during the economic and political crisis of 2022. His wide ground experience has made him a trusted intelligence expert for India, especially when the country faces cross-border and global challenges.
