A Review of the Civil Service Code of Conduct

The civil services have seen a return in popularity in India, with an increasing number of people applying each year.
In this post, we will look at the different norms that regulate civil officials and the constraints they encounter throughout their careers.

Successful civil service examination candidates can join a variety of services based on their rank and personal preferences.
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFS) are three notable All India Services.
Other services, known as federal Civil Services, are administered by the federal government and lack a state cadre structure.

Two sets of rules govern civil servants: the All India Services Conduct Rules, 1968, and the Central Civil Services Conduct Rules, 1964.
These guidelines address a wide range of concerns, including civil officials’ anticipated demeanour and conduct.

(1) Vague and Specific Rules

The Conduct Rules contain both general and specific restrictions.
Rule 3(1) emphasises the need of maintaining perfect honesty and devotion to duty while not engaging in any conduct unbecoming of a government worker.
Rule 4(1) makes it illegal to use one’s position or influence to acquire employment for family members with private or non-governmental organisations.

(2) Restrictions on Political Affiliation and Expression of Opinion

Rule 5(1) forbids civil servants from belonging to political parties or political organisations.
Rule 7 prohibits civil officials from criticising government policies or acts in public media or documents.

(3) Prohibition on Dowry

Under Rule 11(1-A), civil servants are expressly barred from giving or receiving dowry.
Civil officials are expected to declare any gifts received from close family or personal friends that exceed Rs. 25,000.

The Conduct Rules are not set in stone; they have been altered and updated over time.
The government determines the political nature of organisations, which has an impact on civil workers’ involvement with them.
In 2014, new sub-rules were established that focused on upholding high ethical standards, integrity, political neutrality, and accountability.

These guidelines apply to civil servants as soon as they begin training as part of their probation period.
Rules violations can result in severe sanctions, including removal from the service.
In tackling corruption issues, the Prevention of Corruption Act (POCA) supplements the Conduct Rules.

While the rules describe the consequences, enforcing them might be difficult.
Complaints must be detailed in order for action to be taken.
There are proper mechanisms for registering complaints, such as the Central Vigilance Commission and investigation agencies.

To ensure the successful execution of the Conduct Rules, the complaint procedure must be streamlined and transparency encouraged.
The rules should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to address emerging difficulties and ensure their relevance.
Training programmes and public awareness initiatives can help civil officials understand their roles and the implications of noncompliance.
Collaboration between government agencies, civic society, and the general public can help to develop a culture of accountability and ethical behaviour among civil workers.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/civil-services-conduct-8628406/