The stage is all set to select the new director of the central bureau of investigation (CBI). The CBI selection board headed by the central vigilance commissioner (CVC) with the home secretary and the secretary DOPT as other members is likely to shortlist three names from among six eligible IPS officers.

Top CBI sources said the selection board would finalize its list early next week. The three shortlisted names will be sent to the appointment committee of cabinet (ACC), which will pick one of them.

Delhi police commissioner Neeraj Kumar is the top contender for the post. Kumar is a 1976 batch AGMUT cadre IPS officer. Atul (one name), a 1976 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre officer, is seen as a strong contender too. SC Sinha, 1975 batch Haryana cadre officer, is also in the race along with ITBP chief Ranjit Sinha, 1974 batch IPS officer, and VK Gupta, 1977 batch Gujarat cadre officer. Gupta is currently special director CBI.

Meanwhile, source adds that the incumbent CBI director, Amar Pratap Singh, is willing to get an extension and the government is also considering the option.