Who was appointed as the Director General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DG GSTI) in India?

Introduction / Context:
This question is part of Indian economy and taxation related current affairs. It refers to the appointment of the Director General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence, often abbreviated as DG GSTI. This body is responsible for detecting tax evasion and enforcing compliance under the GST system, and its leadership position is often mentioned in news and exam oriented materials.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The post mentioned is Director General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence.
• We are asked to identify the person appointed to this post.
• The options list several names from different fields including administration and diplomacy.

Concept / Approach:
GST intelligence deals with indirect tax administration and investigation, so the head of this organisation is typically a senior officer from the Indian Revenue Service or customs and central excise stream, not a general security or diplomatic figure. John Joseph, an Indian Revenue Service officer with experience in customs, was appointed as DG GST Intelligence, which aligns with this profile.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that DG GSTI is an enforcement and intelligence role within the indirect tax framework.Step 2: Eliminate names that are primarily associated with foreign diplomacy, such as Richard Verma, a former United States ambassador to India.Step 3: Also eliminate names associated mainly with national security or intelligence outside the tax domain.Step 4: Identify John Joseph as the career revenue service officer linked with customs, excise, and GST enforcement posts.Step 5: Select John Joseph as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
If you follow economic and tax news, you may recall headlines specifically mentioning John Joseph taking charge as DG GST Intelligence, often highlighting his previous experience in customs and central excise. None of the other names feature in connection with this specific office, which makes it easier to verify once you pay attention to their professional backgrounds.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Uttam Singh and Gurindar Chadha are not prominently known for leading GST intelligence. Richard Verma is a foreign diplomat, not an Indian tax officer, and cannot hold such an administrative post in India. Ajit Doval is India's National Security Advisor, dealing with strategic and security matters, not with the specific area of GST intelligence and enforcement. Hence, all these options are mismatched with the role described in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Examinees sometimes pick a very famous name like Ajit Doval or Richard Verma under pressure, even if the role clearly belongs to a revenue service officer. Another pitfall is not distinguishing between different intelligence agencies, such as income tax intelligence, central investigative agencies, and GST intelligence. Careful reading of the post title and linking it with the correct service cadre is essential.

Final Answer:
The person appointed as Director General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DG GSTI) is John Joseph.