Rule 20 — CCS Conduct Rules
Original Rule Text
20 Ibid., Rule 11. 21 Ibid., Rule 12.
This chapter emphasizes the importance of restraint in public expression, protection of confidential government information, and restrictions on financial solicitations. Government servants are expected to conduct themselves with discipline, avoid public criticism of policies, and maintain the confidentiality of official matters.
# Gifts, Business, and Financial Conduct
Government servants must uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all financial and business matters. The CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, establish clear guidelines on the acceptance of gifts, prohibition of dowry, involvement in business activities, and financial discipline. These rules are designed to ensure that government employees remain free from corruption, conflicts of interest, and financial liabilities that may affect their official duties22
Rule 13: Acceptance of Gifts
20/31
https://www.istm.gov.in/home/css_conduct_rules
23/03/2026, 13:35
Home | Institute of Secretariat Training & Management | Govt. of India
Government servants are required to exercise caution when accepting gifts to avoid any perception of favoritism or undue influence.
Employees shall not accept gifts from individuals or organizations with whom they have official dealings, except in limited circumstances where the gift is of nominal value and does not compromise integrity or cast upon any obligation on the Government servant for reciprocal or preferential treatment. Gifts include cash, jewelry, hospitality, travel benefits, or any valuable item received as a token of appreciation23 .
Under prescribed limits, government servants may accept gifts on occasions such as weddings, religious ceremonies, or official functions. However, if the value of the gift exceeds the permissible limit, the employee must report it to the competent authority.
Receiving of gift is allowed during special occasions e.g. self-marriage, anniversary, etc as per the following rates. If the amount is more, complete details are required to be reported upon: -
(a) Gp `A’ – Upto Rs 25,000/-
(b) Gp `B’ – Upto Rs 15,000/-
What This Means
Rule 13 deals with the acceptance of gifts by government servants. The rule is built on the premise that any gift received by an employee from a person or organization that has official dealings with the government creates a risk — real or perceived — of favoritism or undue influence. This compromises the integrity of public administration. Therefore, the Conduct Rules set strict monetary thresholds, above which gifts must either be declined or reported to the government.
The permissible gift limits under Rule 13 vary by the pay group of the employee. For Group A officers, gifts up to Rs. 25,000 may be accepted on special occasions such as self-marriage or anniversaries; the limit is Rs. 15,000 for Group B and Rs. 7,500 for Group C. For ordinary occasions (non-special), the thresholds are Rs. 5,000 for Groups A and B and Rs. 2,000 for Group C. If a gift exceeds these thresholds, the employee must report it to the competent authority. Prior permission is needed before accepting gifts from persons or entities with official dealings, regardless of value.
Importantly, gifts include not just cash but also jewelry, hospitality packages, travel benefits, sponsored holidays, discounts on purchases, and any other tangible benefit. The rule also covers situations where refusing a gift might cause embarrassment — in such cases, the employee may accept it but must immediately declare it to the government and seek guidance on disposal. The key principle is transparency: no gift of consequence should remain undisclosed.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1Gifts from persons or entities with official dealings with the government require prior permission regardless of value.
- 2Special occasion gift limits: Group A — Rs. 25,000; Group B — Rs. 15,000; Group C — Rs. 7,500.
- 3Non-special occasion limits: Groups A and B — Rs. 5,000; Group C — Rs. 2,000.
- 4Gifts include cash, jewelry, hospitality, travel benefits, discounts, and any other tangible benefit.
- 5Gifts exceeding permissible limits must be reported to the competent authority.
- 6If refusal would cause embarrassment, the gift may be accepted but must be immediately disclosed and guidance sought on disposal.
- 7Undisclosed gifts constitute misconduct and can result in disciplinary action.
Practical Example
Rajan is a Group A officer in the Public Works Department overseeing government construction contracts. A contractor whose bid is currently under evaluation sends Rajan a hamper worth Rs. 30,000 during Diwali. Rajan cannot accept this gift without prior permission, regardless of the festive occasion, because the contractor has active official dealings with his department. If Rajan accepts it without disclosure, he commits a violation of Rule 13.
In a different scenario, Rajan's colleague receives a gift of Rs. 20,000 in cash from a relative (with no official dealings) at her daughter's wedding. This falls within the special occasion limit for Group A officers (Rs. 25,000) and does not need prior permission or reporting. However, if the total amount from a single relative exceeded the threshold, it would require disclosure.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
▼
▼
▼
▼
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.