A high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet on May 12 to finalise the appointment.

The government is also preparing for a leadership transition in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), with incumbent Director Tapan Deka set to complete his extended tenure on June 30.

Selection Panel For CBI Chief

The selection panel for the next CBI chief, constituted under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, comprises Prime Minister Modi, Chief Justice Surya Kant and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Sources said the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has nearly finalised a shortlist of senior IPS officers to be placed before the committee.

The impending appointment has triggered intense speculation within bureaucratic and security circles, with several senior police officers emerging as frontrunners for one of the country’s most sensitive posts.

Sood, a 1986 batch Karnataka cadre IPS officer, assumed charge as CBI Director in May 2023 for a fixed two-year tenure mandated under Supreme Court guidelines to ensure institutional independence with one year of extension. While his term concludes later this month, officials said the possibility of a short extension has not been entirely ruled out, particularly if the selection committee fails to arrive at a consensus.

Indications, however, are that the government is actively considering a broad pool of officers with expertise in intelligence, counter-terrorism, economic offences, and police administration.

Pool For CBI Chief

Among the names being discussed prominently is Parag Jain, a 1989 batch Punjab cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, currently heading the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Jain is regarded as one of the most experienced officers in the national security establishment, with extensive experience in intelligence operations and strategic security management.

Another strong contender is Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990 batch Haryana cadre officer who currently serves as Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Kapoor previously served as Haryana Director General of Police and is known for his experience in law and order management, intelligence coordination, and police modernisation.

G.P. Singh, a 1991 batch IPS officer from Assam and Meghalaya cadre, currently serving as Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), is also among the officers under consideration. Singh has held several key operational assignments and is widely viewed as an experienced hand in internal security and counter-insurgency operations.

TRACK Model

Another name attracting attention is Yogesh Gupta, a 1993 batch Kerala cadre IPS officer currently serving as Director General of Police for Fire and Rescue Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, in Kerala. Gupta is considered an expert in financial crime investigations, having previously served in both the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED). He is credited with developing the “TRACK Model” for investigative analysis and has handled several high-profile economic offence cases during his career.

Officials said Gupta’s experience in white-collar crime and forensic investigations could work in his favour at a time when the agency is handling several complex corruption and financial fraud cases.

Apart from the leading contenders, several other senior IPS officers are also being discussed informally within administrative circles. Among them is Amit Garg, a 1993-batch Andhra Pradesh cadre officer who currently heads the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad. Garg has previously served as Commissioner of Police in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and has also worked in senior positions within Hyderabad Police and Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Importantly, he has prior experience on Central deputation with the CBI and is a recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.

The name of Sadanand Vasant Date has also gained traction. A 1990 batch Maharashtra cadre IPS officer, Date is currently serving as Maharashtra Director General of Police and is widely recognised for his role during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, in which he sustained serious injuries while leading anti-terror operations.

Over his career, Date has served as chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Joint Commissioner of Police in Mumbai, and head of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He is regarded as an officer with strong counter-terrorism and investigative credentials.

The appointment of the next CBI Director is being closely watched across political and law enforcement circles as the agency continues to investigate several politically sensitive corruption and criminal cases. The next chief will also play a critical role in shaping the credibility and functioning of India’s premier investigative agency over the next two years.

Leadership Transition In IB

Meanwhile, IB chief Tapan Deka completes his extended tenure on June 30. Sources indicated that Deka, who has headed the Intelligence Bureau since 2022 and has already received two extensions, is unlikely to receive another extension beyond June this year.

Among the leading contenders for the post is Rithwik Rudra, a 1993 batch Himachal Pradesh cadre IPS officer currently serving as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau. Rudra has spent a substantial part of his career within the agency and is considered an experienced intelligence officer with deep operational expertise.

Before becoming Special Director in September 2024, Rudra served as Additional Director and Joint Director in the IB and reportedly oversaw operations in sensitive regions, including Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

Another senior officer under consideration is Sunita Khakhran, a 1996 batch Odisha cadre IPS officer, who also serves as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau.

With key appointments due in both the CBI and IB over the coming weeks, attention remains focused on the Centre’s final choices for two of the country’s most crucial security and investigative institutions.