Young Professionals Scheme of Income Tax Dept: All You Need to Know About Eligibility, Stipend and More

The Young Professional Scheme has been implemented by the Central Government within the Income Tax Department to support Departmental Officers assigned to different benches of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) throughout the nation.

The scheme aims to involve young graduates with expertise in Law and Accountancy on a full-time basis. These knowledgeable resources will assist departmental officers in preparing cases scheduled for hearing in Tribunals. Furthermore, they will undertake research and study tasks related to crucial aspects of tax litigation to enhance the management of litigation effectively.

The Scheme has received initial approval for a duration of two years. After this period, its continuation will be assessed for potential extension. It’s important to mention that the implementation of the scheme is decentralized under the supervision of the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCA) Region.

PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME

The purpose of this scheme is to engage competent and eligible Young Professionals in the Income Tax Department. The Income Tax Department will be benefitted by the skill sets of talented Young Law & Accountancy Professionals who are rich in their domain knowledge.

The CsIT(DR)/Sr. DR will also get the assistance of these Young Professionals of law and accountancy in research, analysis and preparation Of the cases pending in various benches Of ITAT whereby the young and innovative minds will add to the perspective. In the process the Young Professionals will get first-hand experience of working in ITAT which will be of immense help in their career.

ELIGIBILITY

Qualification

Essential qualification:

(i) Indian Nationals holding Graduate /Post Graduate degree in Law from recognized Universities, Colleges and Institutions of National and International repute, and/or Chartered Accountant.

(ii) Candidates should have obtained at least 50% marks in the 3 Year LLB or 5 Year integrated LLB degree program or Post Graduation degree program or a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Preferred Qualification:

(i) Chartered Accountants who have completed their articleship in taxation and law graduates/post graduates who have been engaged in research work/projects in taxation shall be preferred.

(ii) Candidates having skills in information & communication technology (ICT) with good communication and interpersonal skills shall be preferred.

Age-Limit

Not exceeding 35 years as on the date of advertisement that is August 25, 2023.

STIPEND

A lump sum stipend of Rs. 40,000/- per month shall be paid to each Young Professional. No amount over and above Rs. 40,000/- shall be payable.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Young Professionals will be attached with the office of CsIT (DR) or Sr. DR in the ITAT for studying the paper books of listed cases, analyzing the judgements relied upon by the assesse, finding out judgements in favour of the department & identifying distinguishing facts wherever applicable, and preparing the briefing notes and written submissions.

They will also undertake research/study on specific points as briefed by CIT (DR)/Sr. DR. CIT(DR) (Mentor concerned) will provide a brief orientation of deliverables expected from the Young Professional at the time of joining.

DATE OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR APPLICATION

The advertisement of the same will be published on August 25, 2023. The last date for the application will be informed later by the department.

SELECTION PROCESS

The Pr.CCIT (Region) will call for applications directly by establishing contact with premier colleges/ National Law Universities, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and also by publicizing the scheme through departmental websites and media.

All applications received in response to the notification will be scrutinized by a Screening Committee constituted by the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax of the respective Region.

1. Screening : The selection procedure shall be two-stage: Application Screening and Interview. Data of all the applications received shall be collated and screened with respect to the eligibility criteria.

The Screening Committee, with the approval of Pr.CCIT, will decide the criteria with respect to shortlisting candidates for interview. The Screening Committee should ensure that the number of candidates shortlisted for interview should be atleast 3 times the number of vacancies.

The names of the shortlisted candidates called for interview along with the screening criteria should be posted on the Department website www.incometaxindia.gov.in. A candidate shall be granted at least 7 days for attending the interview.

2. Interview: The candidates will appear for an interview before a 3 member Selection Committee constituted by the Pr. CCIT of the Region. This Committee shall comprise 2 members of the rank of CCIT/ PCIT. CCIT supervising CIT(DR)s in the Region is to be included as one of the members and CIT(Admn&TPS) shall be the third member.

The Selection Committee, after conducting the interviews shall draw the merit list and will recommend the names of candidates who have been selected. The Selection Committee may recommend an extended panel so that sufficient candidates are available in case any candidate does not join or leaves mid-way after joining.

A time period of 15 days shall be allowed to a candidate for joining. No extension of time shall be granted and it shall be open for the Selection Committee to offer the position to the next candidate in the merit list.

The decision of the selection committee would be final. Pr. CCIT (Region) will be the appointing as well as terminating authority for the Young Professional under this scheme.

AWARD

Apart from stipend, an experience certificate shall be awarded by the respective Pr. CCIT to the Young Professional upon satisfactory completion of the Scheme and on submission of their Research/study paper, and its evaluation by the mentor concerned.

PCCIT wise details of Deployment of Young Professionals (YP)

The professionals have to submit the application form by filling necessary personal details and educational qualifications. Also, the professional has to sign the Non-disclosure agreement before getting into employment.

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