CCS (CONDUCT) RULE 1964

Introduction
Conduct rules have been framed by the Central Govt and State Govt under
proviso to Article 309 of Constitution. These rules enjoys statutory status and enforceable
in a Court of law. These rules were formulated by the Govt during 1964 (30 Nov 1964)
and came into force with immediate effect.

Need for Conduct Rules

Every organized service must have a Code of Conduct. The requirement for such
a code of conduct aroused because of three important considerations:-

i) To maintain commitment to work.

ii) To create well disciplined atmosp0here within the organization conducive

to team work and its efficient functioning; and

iii) Requirements of maintaining absolute integrity among the work force.

These rules shall apply to every person appointed to a civil service or post except
the following :-

a) Railway employee

` b) Member of All India Service

c) Person holding of any post in r/o which President has by order directed
that these rule shall not apply.

(Authy : Rule 1(3)

Conduct rules can restrict Fundamental rights also.

Conduct Rules can not be exhaustive :-

Conduct Rules can not be exhaustive of every conceivable type of misconduct

that may be committed by a Public servant. What shall be regarded as misconduct on the
part of the public servant would have to be decided by the appointing authority keeping
in view various factors surrounding the particular act or omission on his part. Broadly
speaking, where such an act or omission adversely affects interests and reputation or
organization, it may be regarded as misconduct.

Contd…2/-
 -:2:-

Conduct unbecoming of Govt servant

A public servant should not do anything which is unbecoming of his status as a

public servant. In other works, he must conduct himself ion such a manner which does
not bring harm or disrepute to his employer. The Courts of Law have held this rule
enjoins good conduct in private life of the public servant also.

In short, whether lit is in the office or outside it, his conduct must always be
proper and above board.

General Rule (Rule – 3)

3(1) Every Govt servant at all times :-

(i) maintain absolute integrity

(ii) maintain devotion to duty
(iii) do nothing which is unbecoming of a Govt servant

(2) (i) Every Govt servant holding a supervisory post shall take all
possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty
of all the Govt servants for the time being under his control and
authority.

ii) No Govt servant shall, in the performance of his official duties, act
otherwise in his best judgment except when he is acting under the
direction of his official superior;

iii) The direction of the official superior shall ordinarily be in writing,.

Oral direction to subordinates shall be avoided as far as possible.
Where issue of oral direction becomes unavoidable, the
officer superior shall confirm it is writing immediately thereafter.

iv) A Govt servant who has received oral direction from his official
superior shall seek confirmation of the same in writing as
early as
possible.

A Govt servant who habitually fails to perform the task assigned to

him within the time set for the purpose and with the quality of
performance expected of him shall be lacking in devotion
to duty.

3-A Promptness and Courtesy

No Govt servant shall :-

 a) in the performance of his official duties, act in discourteous
manner;
b) adopt dilatory tactics or willfully cause delays in disposal of work
assigned to him.
-:3:-

3-B Observance of Govt policies

Every Govt servant shall at all times

i) act in accordance with Govt policies regarding age of marriage,

preservation of environment , protection of wild life and cultural
heritage ;

ii) Observe the Govt policies regarding prevention of crime against woman

3-C Prohibition of sexual harassment or working women

No Govt servant shall indulge himself in any act of sexual harassment of

any woman at her work place and the I/C of work place shall take appropriate
steps to prevent sexual harassment to any woman at such work place.

“Sexual harassment” includes such unwelcome sexually determined

behavior, whether directly or otherwise, as :-

a) physical contact and advances;

b) demand or request for sexual favours;

c) sexually coloured remarks ;

d) showing any pornography

e) any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct or a

sexual nature.

Govt of India’s decision below Rule 3-C

1. Intimation required to be given regarding conviction.

2. Intimation about detention.

3. Joining Educational Institution by Govt servant outside normal office hours.

4. Period of tenure of the official should be taken into account while granting
permission.

5. Participation in “Shramdan” organized by Govt deptt pr Bharat Sevak Samaj, to

be encouraged.
6. Joining Civil Defence Service permissible (Spl CL can be granted)

7. Incentive to Central Govt servants who are members of St. John Ambulance
Brigade (Spl CL for 7 days per annum).
-:4:-

8. Govt servant is to be encouraged to join Home Guards Org (To be treated as Spl
CL).

9. Permission to Govt servant and Public sector employees to join Territorial Army.

10. Permission is not necessary for seeking redress in Courts of Law or grievances
arising out of their employment or conditions of service.

11. Conduct of a Govt servant in relation to the proper maintenance of his family.

12. Persons holding responsible posts to maintain independence and impartiality in

the discharge of their duties.

13. Integrity of officers appointed to responsible posts. Reputation regarding honesty.

14. Deterrent action for discourtesy and adopting dilatory tactics in dealing with the
public.

15. Practice of untouchability to be viewed seriously.

16. Joint representation from Govt servant to be viewed as subversive of discipline.

17. Acts and Conducts which amount to misconduct

i) If the act or conduct is prejudicial or likely to be prejudicial to the interests

of the master or to the reputation of the master.

ii) Act or conduct which is inconsistent or incompatible with the due or

peaceful discharge of his duty to his master.

iii) Act or conduct of a servant makes it unsafe for employer to retain him in
service.

iv) Act or conduct so grossly immoral that the employee can not be trusted.

v) Master cannot rely on the faithfulness of his employee.

vi) If the servant is so abusive or if he disturbs the peace at the place of his
employment.

vii) If he is insulting and insubordinate to such a degree as to be incompitable

with the continuance of the relation of master and servant.
 viii) Habitual negligent in r/o the duties for which he is engaged.

ix) If the neglect of the servant though isolated, tends to cause serious
consequences.
-:5:-

The following acts and omissions amount to misconduct :-

1) Willful insubordination or disobedience to any lawful and reasonable order of a

superior.

2) Infidelity, unfaithfulness, dishonesty, untrustworthiness, theft, fraud or

dishonesty.

3) Strike, picketing, gherao

4) Gross moral misconduct.

5) Riotous and disorderly behaviour in business premises.

6) Habitual late attendance.

7) Negligence or neglect of work

8) Habitual absence without permission and overstaying leave.

9) Conviction by a Criminal Court.

Rule -4 Employment of near relatives of Govt servant in companies or firms

Rule – 5 Taking part in politics and elections

a) No involvement in any political organization/activity/movement.

b) Prevent family member from taking part in subversive activity on

failure to do so, report to Govt.

c) No involvement on elections except :-

i) Casting his vote.

ii) Performing election duties.

Rule – 6 Association :- Can not join or continue to be a member of any association,

the objects and activities of which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and
integrity of India, public order or morality.

Demonstration
 Meetings/demonstrations within office premises without permission
violation of Rule.

Contd…6/-
-:6:-

Strike

Gheraos
Rule – 8 Press & Electronic Media

Rule - 9 Criticism of Govt

Rule – 10 Evidence before Committee or any other authority

Rule – 11 Unauthorised communication of information

Rule – 12 Subscriptions

Rule – 13 Gifts : Govt servant may accept gifts from his near relatives or from
personal friends having no official dealings with him, but shall
make a report to the Govt if the value of such gift exceeds :-

i) Group ‘A’ - Rs.7000/-

ii) Group ‘B’ - Rs.4000/-
iii) Group ‘C’ - Rs.2000/-
iv) Group ‘D’ - Rs.1000/-

In any other case Govt servant shall not accept any givt without sanction
of Govt, if the value exceeds :-

i) Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ - Rs.1500/-

ii) Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ - Rs. 500/-

Rule – 13-A Dowry

Rule – 14 Public demonstration in honour of Govt servant .

Rule – 15 Private trade or employment

i) No Govt servant shall engage directly or indirectly in any trade or

business.
ii) Negotiate for or undertake any other employment.
iii) Hold an elective office, or canvass for a candidate or candidates for
an elective office.
iv) Canvass in support of any business of insurance agency,
commission agency etc owned or managed by any member
of his family.
Rule – 15-A Subletting and vacation of Govt accommodation

Contd….7/-
-:7:-

Rule – 16 Investments, lending and borrowing

Activities not allowed are :-

a) Speculation in stocks/shares/other investments.

b) Investment, likely to embarrass the Govt servants in official
dealings.
c) Prior permission is required to lend borrow or deposit money from
or to a person or firm or private company within local
limits of authority.

Govt of India Decision :-

a) Senior officers should not approach juniors for surety.

b) Purchasing shares from Director’s quota not allowed.

c) Borrowing from personal friends only small amount from those

having official dealings; from others there is no restriction.

Rule - 17 Insolvency and habitual indebtedness

Govt servant has to live within his means. A report to the Govt required in
case a suit is instituted against Govt servant for recovery of
debt/declaration of insolvency.

Rule – 18 Movable, immovable and valuable property

1) Every Govt servant shall on his first appointment to any service or

post shall submit a return of his assets and liabilities.

2) Every Govt servant including Gp ‘A’ & ‘B’ officers to submit an

annual return giving full particulars regarding immovable
property inherited by him or his family member.

3) No Govt servant shall, except will previous knowledge of the

prescribed authority, acquire or dispose of any immovable
property by lease, mortgage, purchase, sale, gift either in his name or
member of the family.

4) Previous sanction required if transaction with a person having

official dealings.
 Contd….8/-
-:8:-

5) Transaction of movable property:-

To be reported with in one month from the dater of such

transaction :-

Group ‘A’ & ‘B’ - Exceeds Rs.20000/-

Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ - Exceeds Rs.15000/-

Movable property : - Jewelery, Insurance policies (Annual premium

exceeds Rsd.1000/-. All loans, Motor Car,
Motor Cycle, Construction materials for
construction of house.

Rule – 18-A Restrictions in relation to acquisition and disposal of

immovable property outside India and transaction with
foreigner etc.

Previous sanction required for any transaction with

foreigner.

Rule – 19 Vindication of acts and character of Govt servant

a) Prior sanction of Govt is required to approach courts of

press for vindicating his official act against defamation in press or
other attack.

If no reply is received within three months, be treated as

sanction received.

b) Only a report is required for vindicating a p;urely personal

act in court or press.

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

Bringing political influence to personal interest in service is

prohibited.

Govt of India Decision

a) MPs letter for out of turn allotment of accommodation is violation

of this rule.
 b) Representation from relatives of Govt servants to be discouraged.
No cognizance need be taken.

Contd….9/-
- :9:-
-
Rule – 21 Restriction regarding marriage

a) No marriage with a person having a spouse living.

b) A Govt servant having spouse living can not marry.

c) In exceptional cases Govt may permit such marriage, if personal

law permits and there are other reasons for marrying again.

d) A report to Govt is required in case a Govt servant is married to a

foreigner.

Govt of India Decision:-

a) Declaration of martial status from fresh entrants to Govt service.

b) Elaborate procedure for granting permission for second marriage.

c) Re-marriage under Hindu Marriage Act is permissible only after

divorce of earlier marriage.

d) Amendment to Recruitment Rules to incorporate disqualification

for service.

Rule – 22 Consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs

a) Law of prohibition must be followed.

b) Govt servant shall not be under the influence of any intoxicating

drink or drug during the course of his duty.

c) No consumption at public place/appear under influence of

drinks/drugs in a public place.

d) Not use any intoxicating drink or drug to excess.

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

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