CCS Conduct Rules 1964 - Complete Guide

Rule 1: Short title, Commencement and application

• Short title: These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964

• Commencement: 12.12.1964

• Application: These rules shall apply to every person appointed to Civil service or post including a civilian in Defence Service in connection with the affairs of the Union Nothing in these rule shall apply to any Government servant who is (i) a Railway servant (ii) a member of an All India Service

• GID 1: Applicable to Honorary workers employed in civil post

• GID 2: Applicable to the employees of public undertaking

• GID 3: Applicable to members of Committee / Commission appointed by the Government

• GID 4: Not applicable to P & T Extra Departmental Agents (Now called as Gramin Dak Sevaks)

• GID 5: Applicable to persons appointed as personal staff of a Minister

• GID 6: Applicable to Employees of non- statutory departmental canteens

Rule 2: Definitions

• (a) The Government means the Central Government

• (b) The Government servant means any person appointed to Civil service or post including a civilian in Defence Service in connection with the affairs of the Union

• (c) members of the family means

(i) husband or wife whether resides with the Government servant or not but not include wife or husband separated by the Court

(ii) son or daughter or step-son or step-daughter of the Government servant and wholly dependent on him but not does not include a child or step-child who is no longer in any dependent on the Government servant

(iii) any other person related whether by blood or marriage to the Government servant to the Government servant's wife or husband and wholly dependent on the Government servant

Rule 3: General

• (1) Every Government servant shall at all times

(i) maintain absolute integrity

(ii) maintain devotion to duty

(iii) do nothing which is unbecoming of a Government servant

(iv) commit himself to and uphold the supreme of the Constitution

(v) defend and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency and morality;

(vi) maintain high ethical standards and honesty;

(vii) maintain political neutrality;

(viii) promote the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties

(ix) maintain accountability and transparency;

(x) maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section;

(xi) maintain courtesy and good behaviour with the public;

(xii) take decision solely in public interest and use or cause to use public resources efficiently, effectively and economically;

(xiii) declare any private interests relating to his public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest;

(xiv) not place himself under any financial or other obligations to any individual or organization which may influence him in the performance of his official duties;

(xv) not misuse his position as civil servant and not take decision in order to derive financial or material benefits for himself, his family or his friends;

(xvi) make choices, take decisions and make recommendations on merit alone;

(xvii) act with fairness and impartiality and not discriminate against anyone, particularly the poor and the under- privileged sections of society;

(xviii) refrain from doing anything which is or may be contrary to any law, rules, regulations and established practices;

(xix) maintain discipline in the discharge of his duties and be liable to implement the lawful orders duly communicated to him;

(xx) maintain confidentiality in the performance of his official duties as required by any laws for the time being in force, particularly with regard to information, disclosure of which may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, friendly relation with foreign countries or lead to incitement of an offence or illegal or unlawful to any person;

(xxi) perform and discharge his duties with the highest degree or professionalism and dedication to the best of his abilities;

• (2) (i) Every Government servant who is holding a supervisor post shall take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of all Government servants for the time being under his control and authority;

• (ii) No Government servant shall, in the performance of the official duties, or in the exercise of powers conferred on him, act otherwise than his best judgment except when he is acting under the direction of the official superior;

• (iii) The direction of the official supervisor shall ordinarily be in writing. Oral direction to subordinate shall be avoided, as far as, possible. When the issue of oral direction becomes unavoidable, the official superior shall confirm it in writing immediately thereafter;

• (iv) A Government servant who has received oral directions from his official superior shall seek confirmation of the same in writing as early as possible, whereupon it shall be the duty of the official superior confirm the direction in writing.

Rule 3-A: Promptness and Courtesy

• No Government servant shall

(a) in the performance of his official duties, act in a discourteous manner

(b) in his official dealings with the public or otherwise adopt dilatory tactics or willfully cause delays in disposal of the work assigned to him

Rule 3-B: Observance of Government's policies

• Every Government servant shall, at all times-

(i) act in accordance with Government's policies regarding age of marriage, preservation of environment, protection of wildlife and cultural heritage

(ii) Observe the Government's policies regarding prevention of crime against woman

Rule 3-C: Prohibition of sexual harassment of working woman

• (1) No Government servant shall indulge in any act of sexual harassment of any woman at her work place

• (2) Every Government servant who is in charge of a workplace shall take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment at such work place

• Explanation –I

• Sexual harassment includes any one or more of the following acts or behaviour (whether directly or implication) namely

(i) physical contact and advance; or

(ii) demand or request for sexual favours; or

(iii) making sexually coloured remarks; or

(iv) showing pornography; or

(v) any other unwelcome physical, verbal, non- verbal conduct of a sexual nature.

Rule 4: Employment of near relatives of Government servant in Companies or firms

• (1) No Government servant shall use his position or influence directly or indirectly to secure employment for any members of his family in any company or firm

• (2) No Class I officer, except with the previous sanctions of the Government, permit his son or daughter or other dependent to accept employment in any company or firm with which he has official dealing.

• (3) No Government servant shall, in the discharge of his official duties, deal with any matter or give or sanction any contract to any company or firm or any other person if any members of his family is employed in the company or firm. The Government servant should refer such matter to his official superior and act according to the instructions of the superior.

Rule 5: Taking part in the politics and elections

• (1) No Government service shall be a member of any political party or organization which takes part in politics and should not subscribe or aid any political movement or activity.

• (2) It shall be the duty of Government servant to prevent any member of his family taking part in, subscribing in aid of any movement or any activity which is directly or indirectly to be subversive of the Government as by law established. Where the Government servant is unable to prevent the member of his family from taking part in, subscribing in aid of any movement, he shall make a report to that effect to the Government.

• (4) No Government servant shall canvass or take part in an election to any Legislature or Local Authority and he shall give no indication of the manner in which he proposes to vote or has voted.

• GID 5: Government servant proposing / seconding the nomination of the candidate at an election or acting as political agent is not permissible.

• GID 6: Government servant should maintain political neutrality

Rule 6: Joining of Associations by Government servants

• No Government servant shall join or continue to be member of an association the objects of which are prejudice to the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India or public order or morality.

Rule 7: Demonstration and strikes

• No Government servant shall

(i) engage himself or participate in any demonstration which is prejudicial to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relationship with foreign State, which involves contempt of Court, defamation or incitement to an offence

(ii) resort to or any way abet any form of strike in connection with any matter pertaining his service or the service of any other Government servant.

Rule 8: Connection with press or other media

• (1) Except with the previous sanction of the Government, no Government servant shall own wholly or part or conduct or participate in the editing or management of any newspaper or other periodical publication or electronic media

• (2) Above rule shall not apply in case of a Government servant in the bona fide discharge of his official duties publishes a book or participate in a public media

• (3) A Government servant publishing a book or participating in a public media shall at all times makes it clear that the views expressed by him are his own and not that of Government.

Rule 9: Criticism of Government

• No Government servant shall make any statement of fact or opinion in any radio broadcast, telecast through any electronic media or in a document published in his own name or anonymously or in the name of any other person

(i) which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or a State Government

Provided nothing in this clause shall apply to bona fide expression of views by him as an office bearer of a trade union or association of Government servants for the purpose of safeguarding the conditions of such Government servants or for securing improvement thereof

(ii) which is capable of embarrassing the relationship between the Central Government and the Government of any State; or

(iii) which is capable of embarrassing the relationship between the Central Government and the Government of any foreign State

Provided nothing in this clause shall apply to any statement made or views expressed by a Government servant in his official capacity or in the due performance of the duties assigned to him.

Rule 10: Evidence before Committee or any other authority

• (1) Except with the previous sanction of the Government, no Government servant shall give evidence in connection with any enquiry conducted by any person, committee or authority

• (2) When any sanction has been accorded, no Government servant giving such evidence, shall criticize the policy or any action of the Central Government or a State Government.

• (3) Nothing in this rule shall apply to:-

(a) evidence given an enquiry before any authority appointed by the Government, Parliament or a State Legislature

(b) evidence given in any judicial enquiry

Rule 11: Communication of official information

• Every Government servant shall communicate information to a person in accordance with RTI Act, 2005 in performance of his duties in good faith.

• Provided that no Government servant shall communicate directly or indirectly any official document of classified information to any Government servant or any other person to whom he is not authorized to communicate such document or classified information

Rule 12: Subscriptions

• Except with the previous sanction of the Government or of the prescribed authority, no Government servant shall ask for or accept contributions or raising any fund in cash or in any kind in pursuance of any object whatsoever.

Rule 13: Gifts

• (1) No Government servant shall accept or permit any member of his family or any person acting on his behalf to accept any gift

• Explanation:- The expression 'gifts' shall include free transport, boarding, lodging or other service or any other pecuniary advantage provided by any person other than a near relative or personal friend having no official dealings with the Government servant

• Note 1: A casual meal, lift or any other social hospitality shall not be deemed to a gift

• Note 2: A Government servant shall avoid accepting lavish hospitability or frequent hospitability from any individual, industrial or commercial firms, organizations having official dealings with him.

• (2) On occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, funerals or religious sanctions, when the making of gifts in conformity with the prevailing religious and social practice, a Government servant may accept gifts from his near relatives or from his personal friends having no official dealings with him.

• But the Government servant shall make a report to the Government, if the value of such gift exceeds

(i)Rs. 25,000/- (Rs. Twenty-five thousand ) in the case of a Government servant holding Group A post

(ii)Rs.15,000/-( Rs. Fifteen thousand) in the case of a Government servant holding Group B post

(i)Rs. 7,000/- (Rs. Seven thousand) in the case of a Government servant holding Group C post

• (3) In any other case, a Government servant shall not accept any gift without the sanction of the Government, if the value exceeds

(i)Rs. 5,000/- (Rs. Five thousand) in the case of a Government servant holding Group A post or Group B post

(i)Rs. 2,000/- (Rs. Two thousand) in the case of a Government servant holding Group C post or Group D post

• (4) A Government servant, being a member of the Indian delegation or otherwise, receive and retain gifts from foreign dignitaries in accordance with the provisions of The Foreign Contribution (Acceptance or Retention of Gifts or Presentation) Rules, 2012, as amended from time to time.

• (5) A Government servant shall not accept any gifts from any foreign firm which is either contracting with the Government of India or is one with the Government servant had, or has or is likely to have official dealings. Accepting gifts from any other firm shall be subject to the provisions of the sub rul (3)

Rule 13-A: Dowry

• No Government servant shall-

(i) give or take or abet the giving or taking of dowry; or

(ii) demand directly or indirectly from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom any dowry

• Definition: Dowry does not include dower or mahar in the case of persons to whom the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat ) applies.

Rule 14: Public demonstrations in honour of Government servant

• Except with the previous sanction of the Government, no Government servant should receive any complimentary or valedictory address or accept any testimonials or attend any meeting or entertainment held in his honour; or a honour of any other Government servant.

• Provided that nothing in this rule shall apply

(i) a farewell entertainment of a substantively private and informal character held in the honour of a Government servant on the occasions of retirement or transfer or any person who has quitted the service of any Government; or

(ii) the acceptance of simple inexpensive entertainment arranged by public bodies or institutions

Rule 15: Private trade and employment

• (1) Except with the previous sanction of the Government, no Government servant

(a) engage directly or indirectly in any trade or business; or

(b) negotiate for or undertake any other employment; or

(d) canvass in support of any business of insurance agency commission agency, etc., owned by any member of his family, or

(e) take part in the registration, promotion or management of any Bank or other company or any cooperative society for commercial purpose, or

(f) participate in or associate himself in a sponsored media (radio or television) programme

• (2) Without the previous sanction of the Government, a Government servant may-

(a) undertake honourary work of a social or charitable nature, or

(b) undertake occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character, or

• (3) Every Government servant shall report to the Government if any member of his family is engaged in a trade or business or owns or manages an insurance agency or commission agency

• (4) No Government servant may accept any fee any work done by him for any private or public body or any private person without the sanction of the prescribed authority

Rule 15-A: Subletting and vacation of Government accommodation

• (1) No Government servant shall sublet, lease or otherwise allow occupation to any other person of Government which has been allotted to him.

• (2) After the cancellation of the allotment, a Government servant shall vacate the same within the time limit prescribed by the allotting authority.

Rule 16: Investments, lending and borrowing

• (1) No Government servant shall speculate in any stock, share or other investment.

• (2) (i) No Government servant shall make or permit any members of his family or any person on his behalf to make any investments which is likely to embarrass or influence him in the discharge of his office duties

• (4) (i) (b) No Government servant shall lend money to any person on interest.

Rule 17: Insolvency and habitual indebtedness

• A Government servant shall so manage his private affairs, as to avoid habitual indebtedness or insolvency.

• A Government servant against whom any legal proceedings is instituted for recovery or any debt from him or for adjudging him as an insolvent, shall forthwith report the full facts of the legal proceedings to the Government.

Rule 18: Movable, immovable and valuable property

• (1) (i) A Government shall on his first appointment to any service or post submit a return of his assets and liabilities, in such form as may be prescribed by the Government, giving particulars regarding

(a) the immovable property inherited by him or owned by him or held by him on lease or mortgage either in his own name or name of any person of his family or in the name of any other person

(b) shares, debenture and cash including bank deposits inherited by him or held by him

(d) debts and liabilities incurred by him directly or indirectly

• (1) (ii) Every Government servant belonging to any service or holding any post included in Group 'A' and Group 'B', shall submit an annual returns giving full particulars regarding the immovable property inherited by him or owned by him or held by him on lease or mortgage either in own name or in the name of his family or in the name of any other person to be submitted before 31st January of th following calendar year

• (2) Except with the previous knowledge of the prescribed authority, no Government servant shall acquire or dispose any immovable property by lease or mortgage, purchase, sale, gift or otherwise either in his own name or in the name of any member of his family Provided that the previous sanction of the prescribed authority shall be obtained by the Government servant if such transaction is with a person having official dealing with him.

• (3) Where a Government servant enters into a transaction in respect of movable property either in his own name or in the name of his family members, he shall report the same to the prescribed authority within one month, if the value of such property exceeds two months' basic pay of the Government servant; Provided that the previous sanction of the prescribed authority shall be obtained by the Government servant if such transaction is with a person having official dealing with him.

• (4) At any time, the Government or the prescribed authority by general or special order, require a Government servant to furnish, within a period specified in the order, a full and complete statement of such movable or immovable property held by him or acquired by him or on his behalf or by any member of his family as may specified in the order. Such statement shall, if so required by the Government or by the prescribed authority, include the details of the means by which, or the source from which, property was acquired.

• Expression 'movable property' includes

(a) jewellary, insurance policies, the annual premia of which exceeds six months' basic pay in a year of the Government servant, shares, securities and debentures

(b) all loans advanced or taken by the Government servant

(d) refrigerators, radios, radiograms and television sets

Rule 18-A: Restrictions in relation to acquisition and disposal of immovable property outside India and transactions with foreigners

• Except with the previous knowledge of the prescribed authority, no Government servant shall (a) acquire by purchase, lease or mortgage, gift or otherwise in his own name or in the name of any member of his family any immovable property outside India;

• (b) dispose of, by sale, mortgage, gift or otherwise or grant any lease in respect of any immovable property outside India which was acquired or is held by him either in own name or in the name of any member of his family; (c) enter into any transaction with any foreigner, foreign Government, foreign organization or concern (i) for the acquisition by purchase, mortgage, lease, gift or otherwise in respect of any immovable property in his own name or in the name of any member of his family (ii) for the disposal of by sale, mortgage, gift or otherwise or grant any lease in respect of any immovable property outside India which was acquired or is held by him either in own name or in the name of any member of his family

Rule 19: Vindication of acts and character of Government servant

• (1) Except with the previous sanction of the Government, no Government servant shall have recourse to any Court or the press for vindication of any official act which has been the subject- matter of adverse criticism or an attack of a defamatory character

• Provided that if no such sanction is received from the Government within the period of three months from the date of receipt of his request, he shall be free to assume that the permission as sought for has been granted.

• (2) Nothing in this rule shall be deemed to prohibit a Government servant from vindicating his private character or any act done by him in his private capacity and where any action for vindicating his private character or any act done by him in private capacity is taken, the Government servant shall submit a report to the prescribed authority regarding such action.

Rule 20: Canvassing of non-official or other outside influence

• No Government servant shall bring or attempt to bring any political or other outside influence to bear upon any superior authority to further his interests in respect of matters pertaining to his service under Government.

Rule 21: Restriction regarding marriage

• (1) No Government servant shall enter into, or contract a marriage with a person having spouse living.

• (2) No Government servant having a spouse living, shall enter into or contract a marriage with any person.

• Provided the Central Government may permit such marriage if it is satisfied that

(a) such marriage is permissible under the personal law applicable to the Government servant or other party to the marriage

(b) there are other grounds for so doing

• (3) A Government servant who has married or marries a person other than of Indian nationality, shall forthwith intimate the fact to the Government

Rule 22: Consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs

• A Government servant

(a) shall strictly abide by any law relating to intoxicating drinks or drugs in force in any area in which he may happen to be for the time being;

(b) shall not be under influence or any intoxicating drinks or drugs during the course of his duty. He shall also take due care that the performance of his duties at any time is not affected in any way by the influence of such drink or drug;

(bb) shall refrain from consuming any intoxicating drink or drug in a public;

(d) not use any intoxicating drink or drug in excess

Rule 22-A: Prohibition regarding employment of children below 14 years of age

• No Government servant shall employ to work any child below the age of 14 years.

Rule 23: Interpretations

• If any questions arise relating to the interpretations of these rules, it shall be referred to the Government whose decisions shall be final.

Rule 24: Delegation of Powers

• The Government may direct that any power exercisable by it or any Head of Department under these rules (except the power under Rule 23 and this rule) shall be exercisable also by such officer or authority as may specified in that order.

Rule 25: Repeal and Savings

• Any rule corresponding to the rules in force immediately before its commencement of these rules and applicable to the Government servants to whom these rules apply, are hereby repealed.

• Provided that any order made or action taken under the rules so repealed shall be deemed to have been made and taken under the corresponding provision of these rules.

• Provided further that such repeal shall not affect the previous operation of the rules repealed and a contravention of any of the said rules shall be punishable as if it were a contravention of these rules.