New Delhi: After weeks of speculation, the tenure of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Chairman Sanjay Kumar Agrawal (IRS C&IT: 1988) will formally conclude with his retirement on November 28, 2025. The uncertainty surrounding his possible extension had intensified following a rare private meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2025—a first for a CBIC Chairman in three decades.
Farewell for Three Top Tax Officials
An internal CBIC communication dated November 19, 2025, confirmed the retirement of Chairman Sanjay Kumar Agrawal along with two other senior Board members:
- Shashank Priya (IRS C&IT: 1988) – Member, GST, CX & ST
- Aruna Narayan Gupta (IRS C&IT: 1989) – Member, Administration & Vigilance
The Board has scheduled a farewell function on November 28, 2025, to honor the contributions of these senior officers and mark the close of their service.
Impact on CBIC Leadership
The retirement of the top three officials is expected to trigger a significant reshuffle at CBIC, one of the most crucial wings of the Finance Ministry responsible for indirect taxes and customs. The government is anticipated to fill these top posts soon, paving the way for a fresh leadership structure to oversee India’s tax and customs administration.
About Sanjay Kumar Agrawal
Agrawal, a 1988 batch IRS officer, has held multiple key roles in CBIC, shaping policy and overseeing India’s indirect tax administration during a transformative period that included the implementation of GST. His tenure has been marked by administrative efficiency and efforts to modernize tax operations.
