Who Is A S Rajeev? Former Bank of Maharashtra Chief Takes Over as Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner
India’s premier anti-corruption institution has entered a new phase of leadership with seasoned banking professional A S Rajeev taking charge as the Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). Rajeev, who currently serves as a Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission, assumed the additional responsibility on August 3, 2026, following the completion of the tenure of outgoing Central Vigilance Commissioner Praveen Kumar Srivastava.
The interim arrangement has been made to ensure that the country’s highest vigilance body continues to function without interruption while the Union Government completes the process of appointing a regular Central Vigilance Commissioner. With nearly four decades of experience in India’s public sector banking system and an extensive background in financial governance, risk management and institutional oversight, Rajeev is expected to provide stability and continuity to one of the country’s most important statutory watchdogs.
His appointment comes at a time when transparency, accountability and vigilance remain central to the government’s administrative framework. The Central Vigilance Commission plays a critical role in monitoring corruption-related matters involving Central Government departments, public sector undertakings and other government-controlled institutions. Having a senior administrator with deep experience in governance and compliance at its helm is being viewed as an important step in maintaining institutional continuity.
Centre Authorises A S Rajeev to Lead the Commission
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), functioning under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, issued the notification authorising Rajeev to perform the duties of the Central Vigilance Commissioner. The notification, released on July 31, 2026, states that the President of India has exercised powers under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, to entrust Rajeev with the responsibility of heading the Commission from the date the office fell vacant.
According to the official order, Rajeev will discharge the responsibilities of the Central Vigilance Commissioner with effect from August 3, 2026. He will continue in this role until a full-time Central Vigilance Commissioner is appointed or until the Government issues further directions.
The appointment has been made under Section 10(1) of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, which provides for such an arrangement whenever a vacancy arises in the office of the Central Vigilance Commissioner. This statutory provision ensures that the Commission’s work continues seamlessly without any administrative vacuum.
The decision reflects the government’s emphasis on maintaining uninterrupted oversight over vigilance administration across Central Government organisations. Since the Commission supervises corruption-related matters involving numerous departments and public institutions, continuity at the top is considered essential.
Takes Over After Completion of Praveen Kumar Srivastava’s Tenure
A S Rajeev succeeds Praveen Kumar Srivastava, an IAS officer of the 1988 Assam-Meghalaya cadre, whose tenure as the Central Vigilance Commissioner concluded on August 2, 2026.
Srivastava joined the Central Vigilance Commission as a Vigilance Commissioner on August 3, 2022, after being appointed to the post on July 21, 2022. He later took oath as the Central Vigilance Commissioner on May 29, 2023, and headed the Commission during an important period marked by continued efforts to strengthen vigilance systems, improve institutional accountability and enhance anti-corruption oversight within Central Government establishments.
With Srivastava completing his tenure, the responsibility has now passed to Rajeev until a permanent successor is selected through the prescribed appointment process.
Who Is A S Rajeev?
A S Rajeev is widely regarded as one of India’s experienced public sector banking professionals. His career spans almost 38 years, during which he worked across several major public sector banks and held leadership positions in finance, treasury, international banking, vigilance, governance and strategic planning.
Before entering the Central Vigilance Commission, Rajeev served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Maharashtra. His tenure at the bank is often associated with operational reforms, improved financial performance and stronger governance standards.
His transition from banking leadership to India’s top vigilance institution brought valuable expertise in financial systems, regulatory compliance and institutional administration. Those qualities are now expected to support his role as Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner.
Joined the Central Vigilance Commission in 2024
The President of India appointed A S Rajeev as a Vigilance Commissioner on February 9, 2024. He formally assumed office in the Central Vigilance Commission on March 11, 2024.
Since joining the Commission, Rajeev has been involved in overseeing vigilance-related matters concerning Central Government organisations. His understanding of public finance, corporate governance and regulatory systems has added a financial administration perspective to the Commission’s work.
Now, with the additional responsibility of Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner, Rajeev becomes the administrative head of India’s apex vigilance institution until a regular appointment is made.
Academic Qualifications Reflect Strong Financial Expertise
Rajeev’s academic background reflects the breadth of his professional expertise. Over the years, he has acquired qualifications that combine finance, banking, technology and management.
He is a graduate in Mathematics and also holds the prestigious Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) qualification. In addition, he earned an MBA in Banking and Finance, strengthening his understanding of modern financial management and institutional leadership.
His professional credentials also include the Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB) qualification and a Diploma in Information System Audit (DISA). Together, these qualifications have enabled him to build expertise across financial regulation, auditing, banking technology, governance, compliance and operational risk management.
A Banking Career That Spans Nearly Four Decades
Rajeev’s professional journey began with Syndicate Bank, where he entered public sector banking and developed experience in core banking operations.
He later moved to Vijaya Bank, where he handled a series of increasingly important assignments. During his tenure there, he served in several senior leadership roles, including General Manager and Chief Financial Officer. His responsibilities covered Treasury operations, International Banking, Planning and Development, financial management and vigilance administration.
Those assignments helped him build expertise across diverse areas of banking and corporate governance, preparing him for larger leadership roles in the years ahead.
Key Leadership Role at Indian Bank
In 2016, Rajeev was appointed Executive Director of Indian Bank, one of India’s leading public sector banks.
During his tenure, he played a significant role in strengthening profitability, improving operational efficiency and enhancing the bank’s overall financial health. His work also focused on improving asset quality and reinforcing governance mechanisms within the institution.
The experience further expanded his exposure to large-scale banking operations and strategic decision-making.
Transforming Bank of Maharashtra
Rajeev’s most prominent leadership assignment came when he was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Maharashtra in December 2018.
His tenure coincided with a challenging period for India’s banking sector. Despite the difficult environment, Bank of Maharashtra recorded notable improvements under his leadership.
One of the biggest milestones achieved during his tenure was the bank’s successful exit from the Reserve Bank of India’s Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework. This development marked a significant turnaround and reflected improvements in the bank’s financial indicators, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
The bank also witnessed stronger profitability, better governance standards and enhanced financial stability during his leadership. His tenure earned recognition within the banking sector for disciplined management and institutional reforms.
Leadership Beyond Banking Operations
Rajeev’s professional responsibilities extended well beyond managing banks.
He served as the Vice Chairman of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), where he contributed to policy discussions and coordination among public and private sector banks.
He also represented the banking sector on the boards of several important financial institutions as a Nominee Director.
These organisations included the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), EXIM Bank and New India Assurance Company Limited.
Serving on these boards provided Rajeev with broad exposure to payment systems, insurance, international finance, institutional governance and regulatory oversight. This experience is expected to be valuable in his current role overseeing vigilance administration at the national level.
Why His Appointment Matters
The appointment of an experienced banker as Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner is significant because modern vigilance administration increasingly involves complex financial investigations, regulatory compliance, digital transactions and institutional governance.
Rajeev’s long experience in public sector banking has exposed him to areas such as fraud prevention, financial auditing, risk assessment, compliance monitoring and internal vigilance systems. These areas closely intersect with the responsibilities handled by the Central Vigilance Commission.
His background also equips him to understand the financial dimensions of corruption-related cases, procurement oversight and governance mechanisms across public institutions.
What Does the Central Vigilance Commission Do?
The Central Vigilance Commission is India’s apex statutory vigilance institution responsible for promoting integrity and preventing corruption within Central Government organisations.
Established as an independent statutory body under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, the Commission supervises vigilance administration across ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, public sector banks and other Central Government bodies.
The Commission advises government departments on vigilance matters, monitors investigations into corruption cases, reviews disciplinary proceedings and works to strengthen systems that improve transparency and accountability in public administration.
With A S Rajeev now assuming charge as Acting Central Vigilance Commissioner, the Commission enters its next phase under an administrator known for his deep understanding of governance, financial oversight and institutional leadership. While the Government continues the process of selecting a full-time Central Vigilance Commissioner, Rajeev’s appointment ensures that the country’s highest anti-corruption watchdog remains fully functional and continues its mandate without interruption.
