Para 20 — CSMOP
Original Rule Text
# 20. Oral instructions by higher officers -
(i) Where an officer is giving direction (including telephonic direction) for taking action in any case in respect of matters on which the officer or subordinate has powers to decide, the subordinate shall ordinarily do so in writing. If, however, the circumstances of the case are such that there is no time for giving the instructions in writing, they should follow it up by a written confirmation at the earliest.
(ii) When an officer is acting under instructions of an official superior, he shall obtain the directions in writing wherever practical before carrying out the instructions. Where it is not possible to do so, he shall obtain written confirmation of the directions, as soon thereafter as possible. If the officer giving the instructions is not the immediate official superior but is one higher to the latter in the hierarchy, the officer shall bring such instructions to the notice of the immediate superior at the earliest, and thereafter the latter will obtain the written confirmation of the directions from the senior officer who gave the instructions.
What This Means
When a senior officer gives you instructions verbally or over the phone, you should get those instructions in writing whenever possible. If the situation is urgent and there is no time to write things down first, the officer who gave the verbal instruction must send a written confirmation as soon as possible afterward. If the instruction came from someone above your immediate boss (skipping a level), you must inform your immediate boss about it so that the chain of command stays intact.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1Verbal or telephonic instructions from seniors should ordinarily be given in writing
- 2If urgency prevents written instructions, a written confirmation must follow as soon as possible
- 3A subordinate acting on verbal orders should proactively seek written confirmation
- 4If instructions come from an officer above your immediate boss, inform your immediate boss promptly
- 5The immediate boss is then responsible for obtaining written confirmation from the senior officer
Practical Example
A Joint Secretary calls an Under Secretary directly (bypassing the Deputy Secretary) and asks him to release a file urgently for a meeting. The Under Secretary acts on the instruction but immediately informs the Deputy Secretary about it. The Deputy Secretary then follows up with the Joint Secretary to get a written note confirming the instruction, ensuring there is a proper record in case questions arise later.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refuse to act on a verbal instruction from a senior officer?▼
What if my immediate boss disagrees with the instruction given by a higher officer?▼
Does this rule apply to routine day-to-day instructions as well?▼
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.