| Preceded | Ravi Sinha |
|---|---|
| Office | 25th Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing |
| President | Droupadi Murmu |
| Prime minister | Narendra Modi |
| Term start | 1 July 2025 |
| Predecessor | Ravi Sinha |
| Office 2 | Secretary (Security) of the Special Protection Group |
| President 2 | Droupadi Murmu |
| Prime minister 2 | Narendra Modi |
| Term start 2 | 12 November 2025 |
| Term end 2 | 24 May 2026 |
| Predecessor 2 | Manoj Govil |
| Successor 2 | Rajiv Singh |
| Awards | Police Medal for Meritorious Service |
| Birth date | 1 January 1967 (age 59) |
| Birth place | Nawla village, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Spouse | Seema Jain |
| Alma mater | (B.A.) St Stephen's College Delhi University[1] (M.B.A) University of Birmingham[2] National Police Academy |
| Branch | Punjab Police |
|---|---|
| Service years | 1989 — present |
| Rank | Director General of Police ID No - 19891050 |
Parag Jain (born 1 January 1967) is an Indian bureaucrat and spymaster who is currently serving as the 25th Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing since July 2025 . Also, he served as Secretary (Security) of the Special Protection Group from November 2025 till May 2026.[3]
He is known for playing a crucial role in the Operation Sindoor, which was launched by India in May 2025.[4]
Early life and education
Jain was born on 1 January 1967 in Nawala village, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India.[2] He has completed M.A. in History from the St Stephen's College, Delhi University and his M.B.A. in Public Service from the University of Birmingham.[2][5]
Career
Jain joined the Indian Police Service through Punjab Police in 1989.[6]
Jain spent his career both home and abroad. As an SSP, he served at Chandigarh. Later he was appointed as DIG of the Ludhiana range.[7][8] In 2005, he was awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
Reportedly, while assigned at Hoshiarpur, he fought against terrorists part of the Khalistan Movement.[9] He was known to handle affairs related to Pakistan within R&AW. He was serving at Kashmir during the 2019 Balakot airstrike and abrogation of Article 370.[10] As foreign deputation, he was posted at Sri Lanka and Canada. While posted in Canada, he oversaw Khalistani activities.[11]
In 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Director General of Police.[12][13] On the time of promotion, he was on deputation to the Cabinet Secretariat.[14]
Prior to his appointment as Secretary of R&AW, he led the Aviation Research Centre,[15] where he intensified the use of satellites and modernised the existing spy planes. [16]
On November 12, 2025, he was given the additional charge of the Secretary (Security), administrative head of the elite force that protects the Prime Minister of India.[17]
References
- ^ "Pakistan expert Parag Jain, History '86 @StStephensClg, is new RAW Chief, succeeds Ravi Sinha". X.com. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ Mishra, Abhinandan (2025-06-29). "New R&AW chief known for humint-techint expertise". The Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 2025-07-01.
- ^ Trivedi, Saurabh (2025-06-28). "Brain behind Operation Sindoor, IPS Parag Jain is new RAW Chief" (in en-IN). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "Parag Jain, IPS officer who played key role in Op Sindoor, is new R&AW chief". India Today. 2025-06-28. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "IPS Civil List (2024)". ips.gov.in
- ^ "Parag Jain appointed as new RAW Chief, succeeds Ravi Sinha". The Economic Times. 2025-06-28. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ চক্রবর্তী, দেবদীপ (2025-06-28). "পাকিস্তানের খুঁটিনাটি নখদর্পণে, নতুন 'র' প্রধান কে এই পরাগ জৈন?" (in Bengali). Eisamay Online. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "Who is Parag Jain? Operation Sindoor's intel head appointed as new R&AW chief; to take charge on July 1 - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2025-06-28. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "'অপারেশন সিঁদুর'-এ চিনিয়ে দেন পাক জঙ্গিঘাঁটি, সেই আইপিএস পরাগ জৈন এ বার 'র'-এর প্রধান". anandabazar.com
- ^ "Meet Parag Jain, RAW's new chief and a 'super sleuth' who enabled precision strikes during Operation Sindoor". livemint.com. 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Senior IPS Officer Parag Jain, Who Played Key Role In Op Sindoor, To Head RAW: Source". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ Service, Statesman News (2025-06-28). "Senior IPS officer Parag Jain appointed as new R&AW chief". The Statesman. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "Who Is Parag Jain, The IPS Officer Appointed As India's New R&AW Chief?". News18. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "Punjab government promotes three IPS officers to DGP rank". The Tribune. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ Service, Express News (2025-06-28). "Punjab cadre 1989-batch IPS Parag Jain appointed R&AW chief". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ Priolon, Grégory (2025-09-26). "Parag Jain, the new head of Indian intelligence confronts Pakistan, China tensions". Intelligence Online. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
- ^ Service, Express News (12 November 2025). "R&AW Chief Parag Jain given additional charge as Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 November 2025.