Praveen Vashista (left) after taking charge as vigilance commissioner
NEW DELHI: Praveen Vashista, a 1991 batch IPS officer from Bihar cadre, on Friday joined the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) as vigilance commissioner , restoring the body to its full, three-member strength.The appointment of Vashista was cleared at the meeting of the Prime Minister-led selection committee held last month. He had been serving as special secretary (internal security) in the Union home ministry and was due for superannuation only in July this year.TOI was the first to report on December 10, 2025, that the PM-led panel had picked Vashista as vigilance commissioner. Vashista, as joint secretary and then additional secretary in charge of Left wing extremism division of the home ministry, has been instrumental in planning a decisive security offensive against Maoists in what were once their pocket boroughs, while also pushing development and the Centre’s key flagship initiatives in regions freed from Naxals’ influence over the past few years. In 2024, he was upgraded to the post of special secretary (internal security) in the ministry of home affairs. Vashista on Friday took oath as vigilance commissioner before the Central Vigilance Commissioner, who was authorised by the President of India in pursuance of the provision contained in CVC Act , 2003.Vashista’s career spanning over three decades saw him in diverse and important roles including law enforcement, crisis response and security management. He has also worked as an inspector general in the Economic Offences Wing and Criminal Investigation Department of Bihar. He served as superintendent of police (SP) in key districts like Ranchi, Dumka and Garhwa, and also had a stint in CBI as SP and DIG. Vashista’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior officers of the department of personnel and training (DoPT), CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Vigilance Commission.The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, provides for the appointment of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners. The tenure of the Vigilance Commissioner is of four years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years.
