The Income Tax Department, under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India has recently launched the Young Professional Scheme. Under this scheme, the aim is to strengthen the resources and streamline tax litigation management. The scheme will open opportunities for young graduates in Law and Accountancy to learn and acquire precious knowledge of the domain. Most importantly, this will give valuable support to Departmental Officers of different benches of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) across the country.
The Young Professional Scheme is introduced to bring the expertise and domain knowledge of skilled young professionals into the system and create an environment made of fresh young talents and experienced professionals. The selected candidates will be given various tasks to assist departmental officers. They will work closely with officials in preparing the cases that are lined up for hearing in the Tribunals. Moreover, thorough research and assignment studies will be conducted by these professionals, focusing on major areas of tax litigation to improve the efficiency of litigation management.
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The scheme will be under observation for an initial period of two years, during which they will evaluate the effectiveness and impact of this move for potential further extension. With the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCA) regions accountable for the scheme’s implementation, the execution of it is decentralized.
Being part of this engagement, a monthly remuneration of Rs. 40,000 will be given to the young professionals. The recruitment process will start with advertisements inviting applications, which will be closed by August 25. By August 31, a screening and selection committee will be formed. The constituted committee will then provide recommendations on the selection process which will be decided by October 31. Subsequently, the topics for these professional’s tasks will be finalized within the next month.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has discussed designating young professionals across various regions. The highest number of professionals will be allocated in the Mumbai region with 12 positions. It will be followed by Delhi with 9 positions, Gujarat with 5, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with 4 each, and West Bengal and Sikkim with 4 positions of young professionals.
The Young Professional Scheme has certain eligibility criteria that candidates are required to meet, including Graduation in Law, Post Graduation, or Chartered Accountant below the age of 35 years. There will be 8 days of leave for a selected young professional in a year as part of the engagement.
However, it is crucial to observe that engagement with the scheme does not provide a regular job or appointment in the Income Tax Department. The young professionals will not enjoy the status of employees or avail of any benefits as provided to other government officials such as Dearness Allowance (DA), accommodation, residential phone/conveyance/transport, foreign travel, personal staff, medical reimbursement, and Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) coverage. And, there will be no compensation, in case of an unfortunate death during the engagement period.
