CBIC Shortlists 15 Senior IRS Officers for Member Posts as Leadership Restructuring Begins
Reports indicate that the shortlisted officers will undergo personal interaction sessions with the Selection Committee, which typically evaluates candidates on administrative experience, domain expertise, leadership capability, and suitability for high‑level policy roles.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is set for a significant leadership reshuffle, with the government shortlisting 15 senior IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officers for personal interaction rounds to fill three vacant Member posts on the Board.
According to reports, the Selection Committee has finalised the interview dates for December 29, 2025, and January 2, 2026, marking the beginning of a crucial appointment cycle ahead of the Union Budget 2026.
The shortlisted officers belong primarily to the Senior batches of the IRS, reflecting the seniority level required for the top policymaking positions within CBIC.
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As per established norms, the government invites five candidates for every vacant post, resulting in a pool of 15 officers for the three available Member positions.
CBIC Members play a central role in shaping India’s indirect tax administration, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), customs policy, enforcement, and revenue mobilisation.
The timing of the selection process is particularly significant. With the Union Budget 2026 approaching, the government aims to ensure that the Board is fully staffed to support policy formulation, revenue planning, and administrative continuity.
The CBIC’s leadership structure has been undergoing gradual restructuring, and the induction of three new Members is expected to strengthen the Board’s capacity to handle emerging challenges in trade facilitation, compliance, and digital transformation initiatives.
Reports indicate that the shortlisted officers will undergo personal interaction sessions with the Selection Committee, which typically evaluates candidates on administrative experience, domain expertise, leadership capability, and suitability for high‑level policy roles.
The final appointments will be made by the Appointments Committee ofthe Cabinet (ACC) after reviewing the Committee’s recommendations.
The officers shortlisted for the personal interaction are,
1990 Batch: Raj Kumar, Valte Vungamuan,
1991 Batch: Prachi Saroop, Rimjhim Prasad, Rajesh Jindal, Mayank Kumar, Arti A. Srinivas, Shailendra Kumar Sinha
1992 Batch: Abhai Kumar Srivastav, S.K. Vimalanathan, Vimal Kumar Srivastava, Sanjay Mangal, Sunil Jain, Anuj Gogia, Kajal Singh
The move also signals the government’s intent to streamline senior‑level appointments in key revenue departments. With indirect taxes forming a major component of the Centre’s revenue, the CBIC’s leadership plays a pivotal role in ensuring policy stability, enforcement efficiency, and coordination with state tax administrations.
The shortlisted officers are expected to bring their experience in customs operations, GST administration, anti‑evasion work, and trade facilitation towards the functioning of the CBIC. Their selection comes at a time when India is focusing on improving ease of doing business, strengthening border controls, and enhancing digital tax systems.
Once appointed, the new Members will join the CBIC Chairman and existing Members in steering the organisation through a period of evolving global trade dynamics, rising compliance expectations, and continued reforms in the indirect tax ecosystem.
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