New Delhi: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has approved the promotion of eight Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officers to senior leadership positions for the panel year 2026.
Of the eight officers, two IRS (Income Tax) officers have been promoted to the rank of Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT) at Level 17 of the Pay Matrix (Apex Scale).
In addition, six IRS (Income Tax) officers have been elevated to the grade of Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT) at Level 16 of the Pay Matrix (Higher Administrative Grade/HAG).
The two PCCIT promotions have been made on an in-situ basis, while all eight promotions have been approved under the CBDT for the 2026 panel year.
Two IRS Officers Promoted as Principal Chief Commissioner
Two senior IRS (Income Tax) officers have been promoted to the rank of Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT).
The officers are:
- Rajesh Kumar Gupta
- Deepali Chandra
The officers have been elevated to Level 17 of the Pay Matrix, corresponding to the Apex Scale.
The promotions have been made in situ, meaning the officers will hold the higher grade without necessarily requiring a change in their existing place of posting.
Rajesh Kumar Gupta
Rajesh Kumar Gupta is among the two IRS officers elevated to the PCCIT rank for the 2026 panel year.
His promotion places him at the apex level of the Income Tax Department’s senior administrative hierarchy.
Deepali Chandra
Deepali Chandra has also been promoted as Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax.
Like Gupta, Chandra’s elevation is to Level 17 of the Pay Matrix (Apex Scale) on an in-situ basis.
Six IRS Officers Promoted as Chief Commissioner
Alongside the two PCCIT promotions, the CBDT has promoted six IRS (Income Tax) officers to the grade of Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT).
The six officers are:
- Swati Joshi
- Sukhveer Singh Choudhary
- Abhijit A Patankar
- Amaresh Singh
- Sunil K Jha
- Saroj Kumar Mahapatra
The officers have been promoted to Level 16 of the Pay Matrix, corresponding to the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG).
Promotions Under CBDT’s 2026 Panel Year
The latest promotions form part of the 2026 panel year under the Central Board of Direct Taxes.
The CBDT is the apex administrative body for the Income Tax Department and functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
The elevation of officers to PCCIT and CCIT grades represents a significant step in the progression of senior IRS officers into the higher administrative levels of the Income Tax Department.
Promotion at a Glance
- Total IRS (Income Tax) officers promoted: 8
- Promoted as Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT): 2
- PCCIT Pay Level: Level 17, Apex Scale
- PCCIT promotion basis: In-situ
- Promoted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT): 6
- CCIT Pay Level: Level 16, Higher Administrative Grade (HAG)
- Panel Year: 2026
- Administrative body: Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
- Order date: August 31, 2026
Full List of Officers Promoted
Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT) — Level 17 (Apex Scale)
- Rajesh Kumar Gupta — Promoted as Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT) on an in-situ basis.
- Deepali Chandra — Promoted as Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT) on an in-situ basis.
- hief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT) — Level 16 (HAG)
- Swati Joshi — Promoted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT).
- Sukhveer Singh Choudhary — Promoted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT).
- Abhijit A Patankar — Promoted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT).
- Amaresh Singh — Promoted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT).
- Sunil K Jha — Promoted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT).
- Saroj Kumar Mahapatra — Promoted as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT).
The promotions strengthen the senior leadership structure of the Income Tax Department, with the two PCCIT-level elevations taking the officers to the Apex Scale, while the six CCIT promotions place the officers in the HAG grade.
