Government Rules — Questions & Answers
622 common questions answered with rule citations. Can't find your answer? Search rules or ask Niti AI.
Can a government servant be dismissed for a single instance of public intoxication?
A single instance is unlikely to attract dismissal but could result in a major penalty such as reduction in pay scale. Repeated instances, or an instance c...
If a false news article defames a government servant, can they immediately sue?
Not without prior government permission under Rule 19. The employee must first seek permission from the competent authority. If permission is granted, they...
Does Rule 14 apply to surprise parties organized by friends and family?
Rule 14 targets events organized by persons or bodies with official dealings. A surprise party by personal friends and family with no official dealings fal...
How should a government servant handle gifts sent by foreign dignitaries?
Gifts from foreign dignitaries or governments are covered by separate protocols under Rule 13 read with Ministry of External Affairs guidelines. Such gifts...
Does Rule 20 apply if a family member (not the employee) contacts a politician?
If the family member is acting on the employee's behalf or with their knowledge and consent, it can still be construed as canvassing attributable to the em...
Can a government servant attend a political party's public event as a private citizen?
Attendance at a political rally or public event as a private citizen is generally not prohibited, but care must be taken that the attendance is not conspic...
Can a government servant accept a free lunch from a vendor they deal with officially?
A nominal working lunch as part of an official meeting is generally permissible. However, a lavish meal, entertainment package, or sponsored dinner by a ve...
Does Rule 4 apply if the family member's employer has historical dealings with the government (but no current active contract)?
The rule applies when there are official dealings in the present or foreseeable future. Historical dealings without current engagement may not trigger the ...
Does an officer need to disclose a family relationship (such as a sibling's employment in an NGO) when seeking permission?
Yes. Full, voluntary disclosure of relevant personal relationships is essential for the competent authority to make an informed decision. Concealing such r...
What types of contracts are covered under 'negotiated or single tender or proprietary contracts'?
These contracts refer to situations where competitive bidding is not possible or desirable. Negotiated contracts involve direct negotiation with a vendor, ...
How is 'each case' defined when writing off multiple items of stores?
'Each case' refers to the total value of all stores being written off on a particular occasion. The sanctioning authority's power is determined by this tot...
What happens if the highest bid is below the reserve price?
If the highest bid is lower than the reserve price or outside the acceptable tolerance threshold, the e-auction is cancelled. The Competent Authority can t...
What constitutes 'commodities not intended for Government consumption' under Rule 18?
These are goods purchased by the government with the explicit intention of selling or issuing them to the public, State Governments, or other agencies, rat...
What happens when the person filling the downgraded post becomes eligible for promotion?
The order for temporary downgrading must include a clause for automatic upgrading of the post once the incumbent is eligible for promotion, after following...
How does Rule 6 affect the creation of new schemes or projects?
If the financial implications of a new scheme or project are not covered by existing delegated powers, the department needs to obtain approval from the Fin...
What is the role of the Financial Advisor in these committees?
The Financial Advisor of the Administrative Ministry/Department is a member of both the EFC and SFC, providing financial expertise and ensuring compliance ...
Who creates the separate financial rules for these exempted departments?
The specific rules are created internally within the respective departments, but always in consultation with the Ministry of Finance to ensure financial pr...
What is the purpose of Annexure III?
It provides a timeline for processing financial proposals requiring EFC/PIB approval, ensuring a structured and timely review process....
If an international organization offers to pay for my travel, do I still need government approval?
Yes, while you can accept the offer, you still need to follow the government's deputation procedures, including obtaining necessary approvals and submittin...
Who is responsible for keeping the residential address list of Section staff?
Para 8(e) makes the Section Officer responsible for maintaining a list of residential addresses of all Section staff. This is needed for emergency contacts...