New Delhi: The high-level selection committee constituted to fill vacancies in the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has commenced the interview process for appointing three Members to the apex direct tax policymaking body. A total of 15 senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS-Income Tax) officers have been shortlisted for the coveted board-level positions.
The two-day interview process began on Wednesday, with five officers appearing before the selection panel. The remaining ten candidates are scheduled to face interviews on Thursday, after which the panel is expected to finalize its recommendations.
Officers from Three Senior IRS Batches in the Fray
The competition for the three Member posts features officers from three senior batches of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax).
According to sources, the shortlisted candidates include:
- Four officers from the 1990 batch
- Seven officers from the 1991 batch
- Four officers from the 1992 batch
The selection process is expected to determine who will join the CBDT’s top decision-making body responsible for steering India’s direct tax administration and policy.
Third Vacancy Added Ahead of Retirement
Initially, the government had invited applications from 20 eligible officers to fill two vacant Member posts on the CBDT.
However, the selection exercise expanded after a third vacancy arose due to the impending retirement of G. Aparna Rao (IRS-IT: 1989), who is scheduled to demit office at the end of August. Consequently, five additional eligible officers were invited to apply, taking the number of shortlisted candidates to 15 for the three available positions.
CBDT’s Crucial Role in Direct Tax Administration
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and is the country’s apex body responsible for administering direct taxes.
Headed by a Chairman, the Board can have up to six Members, each overseeing critical domains such as:
- Direct tax policy formulation
- Income tax administration
- Revenue collection
- Investigation and enforcement
- Taxpayer services
- Legal and judicial matters
Appointments to the CBDT are considered among the most significant career milestones for officers of the Indian Revenue Service, with Members playing a pivotal role in shaping India’s direct tax framework and implementation.
