New Delhi: In a significant development, Praveen Vashista (IPS: 1991: Bihar cadre) on Friday took oath as a Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The oath of office was administered by Central Vigilance Commissioner P K Srivastava.
With Vashista’s induction, the Central Vigilance Commission is now functioning at full strength. The anti-corruption watchdog is headed by a Central Vigilance Commissioner and is mandated to have a maximum of two Vigilance Commissioners.
CVC Attains Full Strength
As per statutory provisions, a Vigilance Commissioner holds office for a term of four years or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Vashista was appointed to the post last month, completing the sanctioned strength of the Commission.
The Central Vigilance Commission plays a crucial role in overseeing vigilance administration and combating corruption in public offices, and the appointment of an experienced former IPS officer is expected to strengthen its functioning.
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Voluntary Retirement Ahead of Constitutional Appointment
Since the post of Vigilance Commissioner is a constitutional position, Praveen Vashista was required to demit government service before assuming office. Accordingly, he sought voluntary retirement from both the Central Government and the Government of Bihar.
Although service rules mandate a three-month notice period for voluntary retirement, the Bihar government relaxed the requirement, considering the importance of his appointment to the CVC. A notification issued by the State Home Department confirmed that the mandatory notice period was waived, allowing him to retire with immediate effect.
Prior to his retirement, Vashista was serving as Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Distinguished Career Spanning Over Three Decades
A 1991-batch IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, Praveen Vashista has had a distinguished career of more than 30 years, during which he handled a wide range of responsibilities in law enforcement, internal security, crisis management, and administration.
Key Field and State-Level Assignments
During his service in Bihar, Vashista held several critical positions, including:
- Inspector General in the Economic Offences Unit (EOU)
- Inspector General in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
- Superintendent of Police in districts such as Ranchi, Dumka, and Garhwa
These roles gave him extensive exposure to economic offences, criminal investigations, and district-level policing.
Central-Level Roles and National Security Leadership
At the central level, Vashista served in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as:
- Superintendent of Police
- Deputy Inspector General
His long association with the Ministry of Home Affairs saw him occupy several senior leadership roles that placed him at the heart of India’s internal security framework.
Key Career Milestones
- Joint Secretary, MHA (2016–2021): Contributed to internal security policy formulation and law enforcement coordination.
- Additional Secretary, MHA (2024–2025): Oversaw critical national security operations and policy implementation.
- Officer on Special Duty (Late 2024): Transitional role before assuming full charge as Special Secretary.
- Special Secretary (Internal Security), MHA (2025): Took charge on December 31, 2024, following the retirement of Sivagami Sundari Nanda.
Apex Scale Elevation: In October 2025, he was elevated to the Apex Scale (Level-17), the highest rank in the civil services.
Core Responsibilities in Internal Security
As Special Secretary (Internal Security), Vashista was responsible for handling some of the most sensitive areas of governance, including:
- National police administration policies
- Counter-terrorism strategies
- Oversight of the Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- Coordination with central armed police forces such as the CRPF and CISF
Strategic advice on crisis response and internal security management
Expertise, Legacy, and Contribution
Vashista is widely respected for his expertise in internal security, law enforcement, and crisis handling. Throughout his career, he provided high-level policy guidance and operational leadership, earning recognition across the civil services and security establishment.
Officials and colleagues noted that his voluntary retirement marked the conclusion of a remarkable career dedicated to public service, with a lasting impact on India’s internal security architecture. His transition to the Central Vigilance Commission is seen as a continuation of his commitment to integrity, accountability, and public governance.
