Des Raj (1944–2013) was an Indian cricket umpire. He officiated in domestic cricket matches in India during the latter half of the twentieth century, a period in which the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expanded its panel of umpires to support the growing first-class circuit centred on the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup.
| Name | Des Raj |
|---|---|
| Born | 1944 |
| Died | 2013 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Role | Cricket umpire |
| Associated body | Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) |
Indian umpiring during Des Raj's active years was organised by the BCCI through state cricket associations, which nominated officials for inclusion on regional and national panels. Umpires progressed from local league cricket to state-level matches and, on selection, to first-class fixtures across India's zonal tournament structure.
Des Raj served as a match official within the Indian domestic cricket framework. Umpires in this system typically stood in Ranji Trophy fixtures representing one of the five zones — North, South, East, West and Central — as well as in age-group and inter-zonal competitions organised by the BCCI.
Match officials such as Des Raj formed part of the operational backbone of Indian domestic cricket, ensuring uniform application of the Laws of Cricket across a country with a large and geographically dispersed competitive calendar. Their work supported the development pathway through which first-class players progressed to representative and international cricket.