The Union government has extended the tenure of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood by one year, allowing him to remain in office until May 2027, according to an official order issued by the Personnel Ministry. This marks his second extension since taking charge of the agency in May 2023.

The decision was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on the recommendation of the selection committee, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Officials said the committee met on Tuesday before approving the extension beyond May 24, 2026.

Sood, a 1986-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Karnataka cadre, assumed charge as CBI Director on May 25, 2023, for an initial two-year term. He was granted his first extension last year, and the latest approval further prolongs his leadership at the country’s premier investigating agency.

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According to the official order, the extension was granted based on the selection committee’s recommendation, which reviewed his performance and ongoing responsibilities within the agency. The CBI continues to handle several high-profile investigations across corruption, financial crimes and national security-related cases under his leadership.

However, the selection process has not been without controversy. After the committee meeting, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi reportedly submitted a dissent note, stating that he did not wish to be part of what he described as a “biased exercise.” His objection highlighted ongoing political differences over institutional appointments and transparency in top-level investigative roles.

The extension ensures continuity at the helm of the CBI at a time when the agency is engaged in multiple sensitive investigations, while also reigniting debate over the independence and selection process of key investigative institutions in India.

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