The Government of India has appointed Parag Jain, a seasoned officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) from the Punjab cadre, as the new Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the nation’s external intelligence agency. Jain is set to officially take charge on June 30, succeeding Ravi Sinha, who has concluded a two-year tenure.
Currently, Jain heads the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), an essential intelligence unit operating under the Cabinet Secretariat. Earlier this year, during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the ARC played a pivotal role in gathering actionable intelligence regarding Pakistani military activities, which significantly contributed to India’s strategic military responses.
Parag Jain’s illustrious career includes significant domestic and international roles. He has served as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Chandigarh and has represented India’s interests in various diplomatic and intelligence posts in both Canada and Sri Lanka. His previous postings have also included a notable stint in Jammu and Kashmir, where he was actively involved in the central government’s counter-terrorism operations within the Union Territory.
The appointment of Jain comes at a crucial time as India faces evolving regional and global security challenges. His predecessor, Ravi Sinha, led R&AW through a relatively subdued period since 2023. In contrast, Jain’s appointment is perceived as a proactive move to strengthen India’s intelligence capabilities, particularly in the realms of real-time surveillance, cyber-intelligence, and comprehensive regional threat assessments.
Parag Jain’s tenure as the Secretary of R&AW is set for two years, during which he will be expected to navigate the complexities of international relations and security threats that India faces, further enhancing the operational effectiveness of the country’s external intelligence framework.
