In a significant bureaucratic development, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has empanelled and promoted six senior officers from the 1991 batch of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) to the prestigious rank of Principal Chief Commissioner / Principal Director General. This elevation places them in Level 17 of the Pay Matrix, commonly referred to as the Apex Scale, for the panel year 2025.
The promotions, formalized through an order dated October 8, 2025, were issued by the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.
Promotions to Bolster Policy Implementation and Operational Efficiency
The empanelment of these senior officers is being viewed as a strategic administrative move aimed at enhancing efficiency, policy implementation, and high-level decision-making within the indirect taxation framework. With India pushing forward with tax reforms and digital compliance frameworks like GST and e-invoicing, such top-level appointments are crucial to ensuring robust oversight and continuity in leadership.
Officers to Assume Apex Roles on In Situ Basis
According to the official order, the empanelled officers will assume charge of their new posts on an “in situ” (as is where is) basis, pending regular postings which will be determined with the approval of the competent authority.
Notably, officers currently on central deputation will be entitled to their promotional appointments upon returning to their parent cadre. This phased implementation ensures administrative stability while aligning cadre postings with evolving departmental needs.
List of Officers Elevated to Apex Scale
The following officers have been promoted to the Apex Scale:
- Mr. Mayank Kumar
- Mr. Madan Mohan Singh
- Mr. Shrawan Kumar
- Mr. L. Satya Srinivas
- Ms. Arti A. Srinivas
- Ms. Charul Baranwal
These promotions mark the culmination of over three decades of distinguished service in revenue administration, policy enforcement, and field operations.
Implications for Revenue Governance
These appointments are expected to contribute significantly to CBIC’s ongoing efforts to modernize tax administration, streamline compliance mechanisms, and strengthen enforcement across customs and indirect tax domains. The strategic placement of senior leadership is also seen as a precursor to major structural reforms within the indirect tax framework.
