CBDT, CBIC Vacancy Filling Slows Due to Promotions and Legal Hurdles

The government has acknowledged a number of vacancies in the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). In a response to a Lok Sabha question, the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, provided details on the sanctioned posts and current vacancies. The government stated that filling these vacancies is an ongoing process, with positions being regularly reported to recruiting agencies like the UPSC and SSC. As of 2025, a significant number of vacancies, including 11,809 for Group B and C posts in the CBDT and 1,796 Inspector positions in the CBIC, have been reported for recruitment.

The Minister’s response also cited a Mission Mode Recruitment Plan under which a total of 16,320 officers in Group B and 14,346 in Group C have been recruited in the CBIC through direct recruitment since 2022. Additionally, 9,125 Group B and 1,378 Group C officers were recruited through promotions. Reasons for the delay in filling certain positions include the non-availability of eligible candidates for promotional roles, as well as litigation and court-ordered stays that have affected the process of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs).

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3565
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025/SRAVANA 20, 1947 (SAKA)

VACANCIES IN CBDT AND CBIC

3565. SMT. MALA ROY:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be please to state:

a. the sanctioned posts and vacancies in CBDT and CBIC at present along with the post-wise details; and

b. the reasons for the delay in filling up the vacancies?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

a. The Sanctioned Posts and vacancies of CBDT and CBIC are enclosed at Annexure ‘A’ and ‘B’ respectively.

b. The process of filling up the vacancies is regularly undertaken. The available vacancies are reported to the recruiting agencies i.e., UPSC and SSC in respect of Group `A’, Group `B’ & Group `C’ posts, respectively for CBDT. A total number of 11809 vacancies (For `B’ & `C’ grades) to be filled up through Direct Recruitment (DR) have already been reported to the Staff Selection Commission for the Examination Year, 2025.

For year 2025, CBIC has reported 1796 vacancies in the grade of Inspector, 183 vacancies in Executive Assistant, 771 vacancies in Tax Assistant and 141 vacancies in Stenographer Gr.I/II for recruitment.

Under the Mission Mode Recruitment Plan, a total of 16320 officers in Gr. B cadre and 14346 officers in Gr. C cadre have been recruited in CBIC through Direct Recruitment mode since 2022. A total of 9125 officers in Gr. B cadre and 1378 officers in Gr. C cadre have been recruited through Promotion mode under the Mission Recruitment. The total vacancies also include Promotional vacancies that remain unfilled due to the non-availability of eligible candidates

In addition, certain vacancies have been reserved under the Compassionate and Sports Quota appointments. In some cases, due to litigation/stay granted by various courts, process to conduct DPCs have been delayed.

ANNEXURE ‘A’

Sanctioned Post and Vacancies in CBDT

(i) Sanctioned and total working strength of Group `A’ as per are as under:

(ii) Sanctioned and total working strength of Group `B’ and Group `C’ are as under:

Annexure ‘ B’