The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director, Praveen Sood, has been given another one-year extension, as approved on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee.
The ACC order stated that Mr. Sood’s tenure has been extended for a year beyond May 24, 2026. The 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was earlier granted one-year extension in May 2025 after completion of his two-year term as CBI chief.
‘Don’t want to be part of biased exercise’: Rahul Gandhi records dissent on CBI director’s selection
On Tuesday (May 12, 2026), a high-powered committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met to decide on the appointment of the next CBI Director. During the meeting, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi submitted a dissent note, accusing the government of “institutional capture” of the agency to target political opponents, journalists, and critics.
The panel, headed by the Prime Minister, also includes Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and the Opposition leader. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence and lasted over an hour. The one-year extension of the current CBI Director was set to end on May 24, 2026.
