ACC Appoints Retired IAS Officers Anindya Mitra and Malay Ghosh as GSTAT Technical Members; Devendra Kumar’s DBT Mission Tenure Extended by Two Years
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved two important personnel decisions involving senior civil servants, reinforcing both the country’s indirect tax dispute resolution system and the Centre’s flagship Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programme.
The committee has appointed retired IAS officers Anindya Mitra and Malay Ghosh as Technical Members (State) in the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), while also extending the central deputation tenure of Devendra Kumar (IRPS:2009) as Director in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Mission under the Cabinet Secretariat.
The appointments and tenure extension were notified through separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on July 13, 2026. The decisions are aimed at ensuring experienced leadership in two key areas of governance – adjudication of GST-related disputes and implementation of the government’s technology-driven welfare delivery system.
ACC Clears Key Appointments and Tenure Extension
The latest approvals by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet underline the Centre’s continued focus on strengthening institutions through experienced administrative leadership.
One decision relates to the appointment of retired IAS officers to the GST Appellate Tribunal, an institution that plays a vital role in resolving tax disputes arising under the Goods and Services Tax regime.
The second decision ensures continuity in the functioning of the DBT Mission, which has become one of the government’s most significant governance reforms by enabling direct transfer of subsidies and welfare benefits into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
Anindya Mitra and Malay Ghosh Appointed as GSTAT Technical Members
The ACC has appointed Anindya Mitra and Malay Ghosh, both retired Indian Administrative Service officers of the West Bengal cadre, as Technical Members (State) in the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT).
Their appointments have been made against two vacant Technical Member (State) positions for the West Bengal, Sikkim and Andaman & Nicobar Benches of the GST Appellate Tribunal located in Kolkata.
The appointments bring experienced administrators into one of the country’s most important quasi-judicial institutions dealing with indirect taxation.
Experienced Administrators to Strengthen GST Dispute Resolution
Both officers bring decades of administrative experience to their new assignments.
Anindya Mitra entered the Indian Administrative Service through the Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) stream and served in several important administrative positions before retiring from service.
Malay Ghosh, also a retired IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, has held a range of senior assignments during his administrative career and is widely regarded as an experienced public administrator.
Their appointment is expected to strengthen the tribunal’s ability to adjudicate complex GST disputes by bringing practical administrative experience into the appellate process.
What Is the GST Appellate Tribunal?
The Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) is the statutory appellate body established to hear appeals arising under the Goods and Services Tax framework.
It serves as the next level of adjudication for taxpayers and tax authorities who wish to challenge decisions passed by GST appellate authorities.
The tribunal examines legal, procedural and technical issues relating to GST assessments, tax demands, penalties, input tax credit disputes and other matters governed by the GST laws.
Technical Members appointed to the tribunal contribute their administrative expertise and understanding of taxation and governance while deciding appeals alongside Judicial Members.
The appointment of experienced former IAS officers is expected to further strengthen the tribunal’s institutional capacity as GST litigation continues to grow across the country.
Devendra Kumar Gets Two-Year Extension in DBT Mission
In another important decision, the ACC approved the extension of the central deputation tenure of Devendra Kumar (IRPS:2009).
He will continue as Director in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Mission, functioning under the Cabinet Secretariat, for an additional two years.
According to the DoPT notification, his tenure has been extended beyond August 25, 2026, and he will now remain in the post until August 25, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The extension reflects the government’s decision to retain experienced leadership in one of its flagship governance initiatives.
Long Association with the DBT Mission
Devendra Kumar has been associated with the DBT Mission for nearly five years.
He joined the organisation on August 25, 2021, on central deputation as Deputy Secretary.
Subsequently, he was redesignated as Director, reflecting his expanded responsibilities within the mission.
During his tenure, the DBT Mission has continued to play a central role in implementing technology-enabled welfare delivery mechanisms across multiple ministries and departments.
His continued association is expected to provide stability and administrative continuity as the government further expands digital governance initiatives.
Why the DBT Mission Is Important
The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Mission is one of the Government of India’s most significant governance reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in the delivery of welfare benefits.
The programme enables subsidies and financial assistance under various government schemes to be transferred directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
This system has substantially reduced leakages, eliminated multiple intermediaries and improved the speed and accuracy of welfare payments.
Today, DBT covers a wide range of government programmes relating to:
Social welfare schemes
Pension payments
Scholarships
LPG subsidies
Rural development programmes
Agricultural assistance
Food security initiatives
Financial inclusion schemes
The mission continues to evolve through greater integration with digital platforms and banking infrastructure.
Experienced Leadership for Two Critical Institutions
The ACC’s latest decisions demonstrate the government’s emphasis on deploying experienced civil servants in institutions that directly influence governance outcomes.
While the GST Appellate Tribunal plays a key role in ensuring fair and efficient resolution of indirect tax disputes, the DBT Mission remains central to the government’s digital welfare architecture.
Appointments of seasoned administrators to such institutions help strengthen decision-making, improve institutional efficiency and ensure continuity in policy implementation.
DoPT Issues Separate Orders
The two personnel decisions were formally notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) through separate orders issued on July 13, 2026.
The notifications provide the official basis for the appointments of the two retired IAS officers to the GST Appellate Tribunal as well as the extension granted to Devendra Kumar.
Such orders are issued following approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, the highest authority responsible for appointments to several senior positions in the Government of India.
Strengthening Governance Through Administrative Continuity
The latest decisions of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet reflect the Centre’s continued focus on institutional strengthening through experienced administrative leadership.
The appointment of retired IAS officers Anindya Mitra and Malay Ghosh as Technical Members (State) of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal is expected to enhance the tribunal’s capacity to handle complex GST disputes across the West Bengal, Sikkim and Andaman & Nicobar benches.
At the same time, the two-year extension granted to Devendra Kumar as Director of the DBT Mission ensures continuity in one of India’s most important digital governance initiatives, which has transformed the delivery of welfare benefits through direct transfers to beneficiaries.
Together, these decisions reinforce the government’s emphasis on administrative expertise, institutional stability and efficient public service delivery across key sectors of governance.
