New Delhi [India]: In a significant move aimed at strengthening tax governance, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of four senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers as Members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), according to an official order issued yesterday.
New Appointments to CBDT
The newly appointed members, all from the 1989 batch of the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), are:
- Pankaj Kumar Mishra – Formerly Member (Finance) of the Atomic Energy Commission.
- Sanjay Bahadur – Former Principal Director General of Income Tax (Training), Delhi.
- L. Rajasekhar Reddy – Previously Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Regions.
- Ms. G. Aparna Rao – Former Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax-1, Bengaluru, Karnataka & Goa Regions.
These appointments fill existing vacancies in the CBDT, the apex body tasked with administering India’s direct tax laws, formulating policy, and ensuring tax compliance.
Strategic Importance
A senior official from the Finance Ministry, speaking anonymously, remarked:
“These appointments bring a wealth of experience to the CBDT at a critical time when the government is focusing on enhancing tax compliance and expanding the tax base.”
With tax reform and administration high on the government’s agenda, the new appointees are expected to play key roles in:
- Strengthening policy execution.
- Streamlining tax administration.
- Enhancing taxpayer services across the country.
Direct Tax Collections on the Rise
The appointments come on the heels of robust performance in tax collections:
- As of March 16, 2025, India’s direct tax collections for FY 2024-25 stood at ₹25.86 lakh crore, marking a 16.15% year-on-year growth.
- Corporate tax revenue rose to ₹12.40 lakh crore, up from ₹10.1 lakh crore.
- Non-corporate tax collections reached ₹12.90 lakh crore, compared to ₹10.91 lakh crore last year.
- A surge in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) receipts also contributed significantly.
Looking Ahead
The newly restructured CBDT will now steer multiple pending initiatives, including:
- Widening the tax base.
- Digital transformation of the tax system.
- Strengthening enforcement mechanisms against tax evasion.
These changes are expected to align with the government’s broader fiscal goals and vision for a transparent, efficient, and taxpayer-friendly tax regime.