Senior Indian Revenue Service officer Sushil Chandra was today appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the apex policy making body for the Income Tax department.

He will replace Rani Singh Nair, who retires this month-end.

Chandra, a 1980 batch officer of Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre), is currently Member (Investigation) of the CBDT.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointment of Chandra as Chairperson of the CBDT to replace Nair, who is superannuating on October 31, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said.

IIT graduate Chandra's tenure will last till May next year, official sources said.

Nair, a 1979 batch IRS officer, had taken over as CBDT chief on August 1 this year.

The CBDT is headed by a chairman and can have a maximum of six members.