By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM| Vivek Chaturvedi, a 1990-batch officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes), has taken charge as the chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the apex policy-making body for India’s indirect tax administration. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training.

Chaturvedi succeeds Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, a 1988-batch IRS officer, who completed his tenure and retired on November 28, 2025. His elevation comes at a time when the indirect tax ecosystem continues to undergo technological reforms, expanded compliance frameworks and greater scrutiny aimed at improving transparency and efficiency.

Before his induction into the CBIC as a member, Chaturvedi served as Principal Director General of Vigilance and Chief Vigilance Officer, overseeing the full vigilance architecture of the indirect tax structure. In that role, he strengthened internal controls, ensured timely scrutiny of sensitive cases and pushed reforms designed to enhance integrity across the system. His tenure as PDG Vigilance was marked by a sharper focus on preventive vigilance, improved monitoring mechanisms and capacity-building within field formations.

Chaturvedi’s appointment to the CBIC earlier followed the completion of tenure by Vivek Ranjan, Member (Tax Policy & Legal), who demitted office on August 31, 2025. With each leadership transition, the board has been steering forward new strategies for digital integration, improved taxpayer interface and a calibrated enforcement approach, all essential in the post-GST era.

With more than three decades of experience in customs, indirect taxes, vigilance and compliance, Chaturvedi brings a deep understanding of both policy and field-level realities. Colleagues describe him as a steady administrator with a strong record in institutional discipline and organisational reform. His leadership is expected to further streamline indirect tax governance, strengthen anti-evasion frameworks and support data-driven policymaking.

As he assumes charge, expectations are high that he will guide the CBIC through its next phase of modernisation, reinforcing India’s indirect tax architecture in line with evolving economic and regulatory demands.