Who Will Succeed Praveen Sood? Meet The Top Contenders For CBI Director’s Post

New Delhi: A high-level meeting for the selection of the next Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently underway at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant are also attending the meeting of the high-powered selection committee (HPC).The committee is responsible for the selection of the CBI director. The appointment process includes assessing senior IPS officers on the basis of their seniority, professional experience, and performance record in policing and investigative work. Notably, the current CBI director, Praveen Sood, is set to retire on May 24.Here are Frontrunners For The CBI Director's Post:Gyanendra Pratap Singh: He is the current DG

of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Singh previously served as the Director General of Police (DGP) in Assam, where he played a key role in maintaining law and order. He has also worked with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as an Inspector General. He also effectively oversaw peaceful elections in West BengalParag Jain: He is the chief of R&AW and a key strategist behind India's Operation Sindoor. Jain is a 1989 batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre. He was appointed as the chief of R&AW in June 2025. Before this, he headed the Aviation Research Centre, where he intensified the use of satellites and modernised the existing spy planes. On November 12, 2025, he was given the additional charge of the Secretary (Security), administrative head of the elite force that protects the PM.Shatrujeet Kapur: He is currently serving as the DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). He also served as the DGP of Haryana Police. He was appointed as DG ITBP in January this year. He was sent for a two-month leave amid a controversy over IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar's death.