New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Newly-appointed CBI chief Anil Kumar Sinha Wednesday said he was "acutely aware" of the "enormous challenges" the agency faces and was committed to preserve its integrity.

Speaking at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters here shortly after taking over as the new chief, Anil Kumar Sinha said: "I am acutely aware of all the enormous challenges facing the CBI. My endeavour would be to work with my team to strengthen the cause of justice."

"We are committed to preserve the integrity of the agency. I seek cooperation from one and all," he added.

Anil Kumar Sinha, who became the first CBI chief to be appointed by a panel headed by the prime minister, said that the citizens of the country have a lot of expectations from the country's premier investigative agency and hence, he would try his best to live up to this.

A 1979-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Bihar cadre, Sinha has held several important positions earlier in vigilance and anti-corruption, administration, and special branch.

He served as inspector general (IG) in the Special Protection Group and was also the additional secretary in the Central Vigilance Commission and has been decorated with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2000 and the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2006, the CBI said.

An M.Phil in strategic studies and an alumnus of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Anil Kumar Sinha succeeds Ranjit Sinha who had a controversial tenure as the head of the agency.

Ranjit Sinha had to recuse himself from the 2G spectrum investigation days before his retirement, following orders of the Supreme Court. He had taken over as CBI chief Dec 3, 2012.