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New Delhi | July 1, 2025 – In a key development in India’s national security architecture, senior IPS officer Parag Jain has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India’s premier external intelligence agency. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, cleared his name following the completion of tenure of the outgoing chief.
A 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Parag Jain is known for his deep expertise in intelligence operations and strategic affairs. Prior to his elevation, he served in several critical roles within the intelligence ecosystem, including senior positions in R&AW and other national security units.
His appointment comes at a crucial time when India is facing evolving geopolitical challenges, including cross-border terrorism, cyber threats, and a shifting global order. With his wide-ranging experience and sharp operational acumen, Jain is expected to spearhead efforts to modernize R&AW’s intelligence capabilities, deepen strategic surveillance, and strengthen India’s global intelligence partnerships.
Sources within the intelligence community describe Jain as a quiet strategist with a strong reputation for discretion, discipline, and dedication to national interest.
His tenure as R&AW chief is expected to bring renewed focus on regional intelligence, particularly in the context of developments in China, Pakistan, and West Asia, as well as cyber-espionage threats in the digital domain.
The appointment of Parag Jain marks a continuity in India’s intelligence leadership while signaling a forward-looking approach to the country’s external security priorities.