Ravi Sinha IPS is one of the most respected intelligence officers in India. He served as the chief of India’s top spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He led RAW from July 2023 to June 2025. His work changed how India gathers and uses intelligence. He is known as a brave, smart, and tech-savvy officer.
This is the complete biography of Ravi Sinha IPS — his early life, education, career, and major achievements.
Quick Info – Ravi Sinha IPS
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Ravi Sinha |
| Date of Birth | 14 January 1964 |
| Age | 62 Years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Arrah, Bhojpur, Bihar |
| Service | Indian Police Service (IPS) |
| Batch Year | 1988 |
| Cadre | Chhattisgarh (Originally Madhya Pradesh) |
| Education | St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University |
| Training Academy | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad |
| Passed Out from SVPNPA | 21 August 1989 |
| Key Position | Secretary, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) |
| Tenure as RAW Chief | 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2025 |
| Post-Retirement Role | Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat |
| Award | Police Medal for Gallantry |
| Known For | Operation Sindoor, Technology in Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism |
Ravi Sinha IPS Early Life and Family
Ravi Sinha IPS was born on 14 January 1964. He was born in Arrah, a city in Bhojpur district, Bihar. Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is known for producing many top officers and leaders.
His father was a university professor. He worked in Dhanbad, a well-known industrial city. The family used to travel between Arrah and Dhanbad regularly. This gave young Ravi a chance to see different parts of life.
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Join NowAfter his father retired, the family moved back to Arrah permanently. People in Arrah still remember Ravi Sinha with great love. They call him “Hamaar Lal”, which means “our son” in the local language. He was a normal child who loved flying kites. That simple hobby is now a symbol of the career he built — handling invisible strings and staying ahead of others.
You can check our biography article on Manoj Kumar Sharma IPS.
Ravi Sinha IPS Education
Ravi Sinha completed his schooling in Bihar. He then moved to Delhi for higher education. He studied at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. This is one of India’s most respected colleges. Many famous bureaucrats, politicians, and diplomats have studied there.
St. Stephen’s College gave him a strong base in analytical thinking and debate. He learned how to think clearly and look at problems from different angles. This helped him greatly in his intelligence career later.
After college, Ravi Sinha appeared in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. He cleared it successfully in 1988. He was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS). His training began at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad. He completed his training on 21 August 1989.
Career
Ravi Sinha IPS was allotted the Madhya Pradesh cadre after training. In those days, Madhya Pradesh was the largest state in India by area. It was a challenging place for new officers. There were criminal gangs, mining mafias, and law and order problems in many areas.
He spent the first 12 years of his career in Madhya Pradesh. During this time, he learned field policing from the ground up. He built local informant networks. He investigated crimes and handled difficult situations. These skills proved very useful later in his intelligence work.
In 2000, Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh. Ravi Sinha IPS was transferred to the new cadre. He served as CSP and SP in Durg and later as SP in Raipur. Chhattisgarh was a Naxalite hotspot. During a major attack in the Darbha Valley, he led his team bravely under heavy fire. He successfully repelled the attack and was awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry.
RAW Career & International Postings
In 2007, Ravi Sinha IPS joined RAW on central deputation. He served at several key postings abroad and became a top “neighbourhood specialist.”
| Posting | Key Focus |
|---|---|
| Bhutan | Monitoring China’s border activities |
| China | Tracking PLA movements & CCP plans |
| Hong Kong (4 years) | Terror financing & economic intelligence |
| The Hague | Cyber threats & international law |
In 2016, he headed RAW’s Operations Wing for seven years. He introduced satellite imagery, signal intercepts, and digital analysis alongside human intelligence. He also played a key role in planning the 2016 Surgical Strikes intelligence.
Also Check: Shruti Sharma IAS Biography
RAW Chief & Operation Sindoor (2023–2025)
Appointed RAW Chief on 1 July 2023, Ravi Sinha IPS dismantled The Resistance Front (TRF) in Kashmir, assisted the NIA after the 2024 Bengaluru Cafe Bombing, and oversaw the elimination of around 30 terrorists inside Pakistan.
His biggest achievement was Operation Sindoor (May 7, 2025) — launched after the Pahalgam massacre of April 22 killed 26 people. As Intelligence Commander, he mapped 21 terror camps in Pakistan. Nine were struck precisely in just 25 minutes. Pakistan requested a ceasefire on May 10.
He retired on 30 June 2025 and continues as Special Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.
“As a former intelligence chief, Ravi Sinha IPS does not maintain any public social media presence.”
