Rule 17 — CCS Conduct Rules
Original Rule Text
17 Government of India. (1964). Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, Introduction to Rule 9–12. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. 18 Ibid., Rule 9. 19 Ibid., Rule 10
Rule 11: Communication of Official Information
A government servant must not communicate, share, or disclose any official information, documents, or government records to unauthorized individuals or organizations. The unauthorized disclosure of classified, sensitive, or unpublished government information is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action20 .
Employees must ensure that all official correspondence, reports, and discussions remain within authorized channels. Information can be shared only when:
It is required for official purposes and within prescribed guidelines. It is published under government authorization in the form of official statements or press releases. It is necessary for parliamentary proceedings or court hearings, following official procedures. It has been asked for through an application for information under RTI Act and does not fall under exempted category in relevant sections of the Act.
Unauthorized sharing of government decisions, policies, or administrative matters on social media, press briefings, or personal communications is a serious violation of conduct rules.
Rule 12: Subscriptions
Government servants must not engage in fundraising, contributions, or solicitations for any external cause without proper authorization.
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Employees are prohibited from:
Raising funds or collecting subscriptions for charitable, religious, or political purposes in government offices or official premises. Soliciting financial assistance from subordinates, contractors, or individuals with official dealings. Contributing to funds or organizations that engage in political or antigovernment activities.
However, employees may contribute to officially approved causes such as government welfare programs, relief funds, and officially designated charitable organizations. Any deviation from this rule requires explicit approval from the competent authority21 . Collection of subscription for a compassionate ground by registered Association/Union is allowed only with previous permission and as an exception. Such collection is not allowed to an individual public servant.
What This Means
Rules 11 and 12 govern two sensitive areas: the handling of official information and the solicitation of funds. Rule 11 is one of the most critical provisions in the Conduct Rules. It prohibits government servants from communicating, sharing, or leaking official information — including documents, records, correspondence, policy deliberations, and unpublished data — to any unauthorized person or organization. This obligation applies equally to internal communications and external parties. The rule has been reinforced by the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and must now be read alongside the Right to Information Act, 2005, which creates a competing obligation to disclose certain information when lawfully requested.
The permissible exceptions under Rule 11 are narrow: sharing within official channels for official purposes, sharing pursuant to a government-authorized press release, sharing required for parliamentary proceedings or court hearings, and disclosure under the RTI Act for non-exempt categories. Social media posts, WhatsApp forwards, and informal verbal sharing of official information — even within colleague groups — can constitute violations. This is particularly relevant in the digital age when forwarding an official document takes only seconds.
Rule 12 addresses financial solicitation. Government servants are prohibited from raising funds, collecting subscriptions, or soliciting donations in government offices for any charitable, religious, or political cause unless explicitly authorized by the competent authority. This rule is meant to prevent misuse of official position and power dynamics, where subordinates may feel coerced to contribute. Registered service associations may collect subscriptions for compassionate purposes (e.g., for a colleague in distress), but only with prior permission. Individual employees cannot independently collect funds from colleagues.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1Rule 11 prohibits sharing any official information, documents, or records with unauthorized persons — including by WhatsApp, email, or verbal disclosure.
- 2Permissible sharing: within official channels, via authorized press releases, for parliamentary/court proceedings, and under the RTI Act (non-exempt categories).
- 3The RTI Act creates a competing obligation — information not exempt under Sections 8 and 9 must be disclosed when lawfully requested.
- 4Leaking draft policies, unpublished budget data, or internal correspondence is a serious violation that may also attract action under the Official Secrets Act.
- 5Rule 12 prohibits fundraising or collection of subscriptions in government offices without prior authorization.
- 6Soliciting funds from subordinates exploits the power differential and is considered misconduct.
- 7Registered associations may collect compassionate subscriptions with prior permission; individual employees cannot.
Practical Example
Deepika is a Section Officer in the Finance Ministry. She receives a draft cabinet note marked 'Confidential' and, out of enthusiasm, photographs it and sends it to a journalist contact saying 'thought you should know this is coming'. This is a grave violation of Rule 11 and potentially the Official Secrets Act. Even if the journalist had not published the information, the act of sharing was itself an offence. Deepika faces suspension and departmental proceedings.
In a different situation, the head clerk of a government office announces in the office meeting that employees should contribute Rs. 500 each toward a fund for a popular politician's election campaign. This violates Rule 12 on multiple counts: it involves political fundraising, conducted in a government office, using implicit pressure on subordinates. Both the head clerk and potentially the supervisor who permitted it face disciplinary proceedings.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.