The government has granted Ravi Agrawal another term as Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for six months. The reappointment, effective from July 1 to December 31, 2026, was sanctioned by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) to ensure continuity in CBDT’s operations. Agrawal, an IRS officer, took over as CBDT Chairman in June 2024, succeeding Nitin Gupta.
The ACC endorsed Agrawal’s continuation as the head of CBDT, citing the need for stability in the apex direct tax administration body. The reappointment follows the standard terms and conditions applicable to re-employed central government officers and involves a relaxation of recruitment rules. The official order specified that the reappointment is on a contract basis, subject to further orders or until December 31, 2026.
Agrawal, a 1988-batch IRS officer, previously served as Member (Administration) in the CBDT before assuming the role of Chairman. The CBDT, responsible for administering direct tax laws and formulating tax policies, plays a crucial role in enhancing compliance and taxpayer services. The reappointment of Agrawal coincides with a period of robust growth in direct tax collections, with net collections increasing by 14.64% year-on-year to Rs 5.21 lakh crore during the April 1-June 17 period of the current fiscal year.
