Almost five months ahead of the completion of tenure of incumbent CBI Director Anil Sinha (IPS:1979:BH), the Govt has kicked off the process to select the next Director. Sinha will complete his two-year fixed tenure on December 02, 2016 and hence the next Director may have to be selected on or before December 2 this year. Reportedly, following the DoPT seeking the names of all eligible IPS officers from the Home Ministry, the latter has forwarded the names of at least 47 officers of the 1979-82 batches. The DoPT may shortlist officers on the basis of their experience and integrity in investigating anti-corruption cases. Few names who are expected to be the front-runners are Krishna Chaudhary (IPS:1979:BH), the incumbent DG of ITBP; Rupak Kumar Dutta (IPS:1981:KN), Spl Director CBI (an internal candidate); Ms Archana Ramasundaram (IPS:1980:TN), the incumbent DG of SSB; Ms Meeran C Borwankar (IPS:1981:MH), the incumbent DG of BPR&D. Under the Lokpal Act, a selection committee, headed by the Prime Minister and comprising the leader of the single largest Opposition party and the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge nominated by him as a member, appoints the CBI Director. Before the selection panel approves the name, the names of the candidates have to be recommended by another panel consisting of the CVC, CVC Members/Commissioners, the Home Secretary and the Secretary, Coordination at the Cabinet Secretariat.