Guarding the Flow.
Structuring Your Advantage.

With over 40 years of experience in public tax administration and law, Mr. C.P. Rao brings rare depth to indirect tax advisory. His career began in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS 1983) , where he served in senior roles that shaped national tax policy, enforcement, and interpretation. Among his early distinctions was the Finance Minister’s Commendation for achieving the highest revenue collection in 1985–’86 in Calcutta — a success that marked the beginning of a career defined by both integrity and impact.

 

This foundation was further strengthened through diverse assignments across key tax jurisdictions in India — including West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana — gaining deep familiarity with the interplay between central and state-level indirect tax laws.

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This cumulative experience laid the foundation for key leadership roles — including his tenure as Principal Chief Commissioner GST and Vice-Chairman of the Settlement Commission.

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As Principal Chief Commissioner, he has contributed directly to the development of India’s GST policy and led its rollout in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

As Vice-Chairman of the Settlement Commission, he has arbitrated and settled complex disputes worth over ₹500 crores — setting legal precedent while ensuring continuity for high-value businesses.

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Today, he helps high-value businesses, industries, and individuals navigate the complex landscape of indirect taxation. His legal counsel is rooted in systemic understanding, offering practical strategy, compliance clarity, and risk defense across GST, Customs, Central Excise, Foreign Trade Law, Service Tax and other Indirect Tax laws.

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He now brings this depth of institutional knowledge and perspective into his private practice. ​Currently, he serves as the Managing Partner at Cathexis Associates LLP and Partner at Meta-Knowia Pvt Ltd.

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Whether the challenge is advisory or adversarial, structural or situational, he guides his clients with insight, discretion, and foresight — aligning legal integrity with commercial outcomes.