CBIC Set for Major Leadership Induction: Selection Panel to Interview 15 Senior IRS Officers for Three Member Posts Ahead of Union Budget 2026
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is preparing for a significant strengthening of its top leadership, as the high-level Selection Committee has finalized the schedule for personal interactions with senior Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officers shortlisted for appointment as Members of the Board.
A total of 15 experienced IRS (C&IT) officers have been shortlisted for three vacant Member positions in the CBIC, marking an important administrative exercise ahead of the Union Budget 2026.
Selection Committee Fixes Dates for Personal Interactions
According to official sources, the Selection Committee will conduct personal interactions on December 29, 2025, and January 2, 2026. As per established selection norms, five officers are considered for each vacant Member post, resulting in three final appointments from the pool of 15 candidates.
The timing of the process—just weeks before the presentation of the Union Budget 2026—underscores the strategic importance of these appointments, as CBIC Members play a central role in tax policy formulation, revenue mobilisation, and customs administration.
Shortlisting Based on Seniority and Residual Service
The officers shortlisted for interaction belong to the 1990, 1991, and 1992 batches of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes). Selection has been made primarily on the basis of seniority and minimum residual service of one year, with some officers having service tenure extending well beyond 2023.
List of Shortlisted IRS (C&IT) Officers
1990 Batch:
Raj Kumar
Valte Vungzamuan
1991 Batch:
Prachi Saroop
Rimjhim Prasad
Rajesh Jindal
Mayank Kumar
Arti A. Srinivas
Shailendra Kumar Sinha
1992 Batch:
Abhai Kumar Srivastav
S. K. Vimalanathan
Vimal Kumar Srivastava
Sanjay Mangal
Sunil Jain
Anuj Gogia
Kajal Singh
Why These Appointments Matter
The appointment of new Members to the CBIC is of considerable consequence, as they are entrusted with:
Framing and implementing indirect tax policies
Overseeing Goods and Services Tax (GST) administration
Supervising customs operations and trade facilitation
Strengthening enforcement and compliance mechanisms
Supporting fiscal objectives linked to national economic growth
With indirect taxes forming a substantial component of government revenue, the CBIC’s leadership structure directly influences policy stability, administrative efficiency, and taxpayer confidence.
Strategic Timing Ahead of Budget 2026
The selection process gains additional significance as it unfolds in the run-up to Union Budget 2026, a period when policy clarity and administrative preparedness are critical. The induction of new Members is expected to enhance CBIC’s capacity to handle evolving fiscal challenges, customs reforms, and GST-related policy initiatives.
As India’s apex body for indirect taxation, CBIC’s effectiveness hinges on experienced and forward-looking leadership—making these appointments closely watched across the bureaucracy and policy circles.
