cbdt-chairman-ravi-agarwal-gets-6-months-extension-in-service

The Union government on Tuesday granted a six-month extension to the tenure of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ravi Agrawal till December 2026.The 1988 batch IRS officer was to retire on Tuesday, June 30.

 

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) in an order on Tuesday said it has approved "re-appointment" of Ravi Agrawal as Chairman, CBDT on contract basis for a period of six months with effect from 01.07.2026 or until further orders, whichever is earlier, on the terms and conditions applicable to re-employed central government officers, in relaxation of the Recruitment Rules.

 

In a formal order on Tuesday, the government approved the reappointment of Ravi Agrawal as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on a contract basis for six months.

 

The decision ensures continuity in the functioning of the apex direct tax administration body. The reappointment has been made on the standard terms and conditions applicable to re-employed central government officers, with relaxation of the recruitment rules.

 

Agrawal, a 1988-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Income Tax cadre, was appointed CBDT Chairman in June 2024, succeeding Nitin Gupta. Prior to assuming the top post, he served as Member (Administration) in the CBDT from July 2023. He was subsequently granted a one-year extension from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

 The 1988 batch IRS officer was set to retire on June 30. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his re-appointment on a contractual basis, a move made in relaxation of recruitment rules. Agrawal initially took charge in June 2024.

 

The CBDT, the apex policymaking body of the Income Tax Department under the Department of Revenue, is headed by a chairman and can have up to six members holding the rank of Special Secretary to the Government of India. It is responsible for administering direct tax laws, formulating tax policy, strengthening tax compliance and improving taxpayer services.

 

The reappointment comes amid sustained growth in direct tax collections. According to the Income Tax Department, net direct tax collections rose 14.64 per cent year-on-year to Rs 5.21 lakh crore during the period from April 1 to June 17 of the current financial year.