Vivek Chaturvedi Appointed New CBIC Chairman: Senior IRS Officer Takes Charge After Sanjay Kumar Agarwal’s Retirement
In an important administrative move, the Union government has selected senior IRS officer Vivek Chaturvedi as the new Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Chaturvedi, who belongs to the 1990 batch of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes), has been chosen for the position following approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), as confirmed by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).
His appointment comes after the retirement of Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, a 1988-batch IRS officer, who completed his term and stepped down from the post on November 28, 2025.
Career Journey: From Vigilance Leadership to CBIC Chief
Before being appointed as the CBIC Chairman, Vivek Chaturvedi served as a Member of the Board. He was elevated to the Member position in September 2025 while working as the Principal Director General of Vigilance and Chief Vigilance Officer. In that capacity, he supervised vigilance-related operations across the indirect tax system, ensuring stronger internal checks, improved transparency, and better monitoring practices.
Chaturvedi was appointed as a Member after the retirement of Vivek Ranjan, who previously held the charge of Member (Tax Policy & Legal) and left office on August 31, 2025.
Through his vigilance responsibilities, Chaturvedi became known for reinforcing accountability and enhancing the oversight structure within the indirect tax administration—areas that hold growing importance in the current policy environment.
Major Changes Underway at CBIC
His promotion comes at a time when CBIC is undergoing significant leadership changes. Along with the departure of Vivek Ranjan and the retirement of outgoing chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, two other senior members of the Board are also set to retire on November 30, 2025.
These developments reflect a major reshuffling at the top of India’s indirect tax management system. The appointment of Chaturvedi is expected to be the first among several important changes the government will introduce in the coming months.
Expertise in Vigilance and Policy Seen as Key Strength
Vivek Chaturvedi is widely appreciated for his strong background in vigilance, compliance systems, and tax administration. His extensive experience in monitoring, regulatory work, and internal discipline is expected to shape CBIC’s direction during an evolving phase for India’s indirect taxation network. His vigilance experience, in particular, signals the government’s continued focus on: (You can share the next part or I can continue it if required.)
