In a career spanning over 38 years, Dr John Joseph (IRS 1983) has held senior positions in the areas of tax policy and intelligence including serving as Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (I/C) and Member (Tax Policy), Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) for more than 2 years. He was appointed the first head of the Directorate General of Goods & Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) in July 2017, apex organization that was involved in the detection and investigation of all GST related offences.

As Member (Policy), CBIC, Dr Joseph, for a period of 30 months, played a crucial role being an important part of the GST Council and held extensive negotiations with the state governments on variety of issues involving GST policy and instrumental in proposing and implementing tax rates. He has also served as a whole-time Director GST Network (GSTN) Government of India. While working as the DG, DGGI he focused extensively on creating Machine Intelligence Unit (MIU) to involve artificial intelligence and data analytics for GST compliance and detection of frauds, thereby promoting non-intrusive intelligence / investigation techniques. 

As Chief Commissioner, Nava Sheva Customs (JNCH), 2016-17, he introduced the Direct Port Delivery (DPD) in imports and Direct Pass Exports (DPE) in export consignments which significantly reduced the dwell time from the then existing 9-10 days to 1-3 days leading to a saving of more than INR 6000 crore for the importers / exporters, a pioneering reform which has been acknowledged by all stakeholders. 

In his career, Dr Joseph has worked for over 12 years in the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), India’s apex anti-smuggling intelligence, investigations and operations agency dealing with import, export and related violations. He has served in various capacities from Deputy Director to Additional Director General (Head Quarters) dealing with issues of policy, intelligence, investigations and operations in the domain pertaining to securing India’s national and economic security by preventing the outright smuggling of contraband such as firearms, gold, narcotics, Fake Indian Currency notes, antiques, wildlife and environmental products. DRI, with the changing nature of smuggling, has re-oriented itself to work on preventing the proliferation of black money, trade based money laundering and commercial frauds. Also, as part of the DRI, he served in the Special Investigation Team  on Black Money set up under the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in 2014 to holistically look into the various aspects relating to black money. 

He was awarded the Presidential Medal for Meritorious Service in the year 1999. 

Originally trained in Veterinary Sciences, Dr Joseph also completed his Law and went on to pursue a post graduate diploma in Alternate Dispute Resolution. 

As a Strategic Adviser to DeepStrat, he brings his rich experience in tax policy, intelligence and investigations.