Para 57 — CSMOP
Original Rule Text
57. Handling of classified papers –
For the purpose of attending meetings/discussions outside office, an officer not below the level of Section Officer / Desk Officer may carry confidential papers /files or an officer not below the level of Under Secretary may carry Secret papers/ files, only under special circumstances with the written authorization of Joint Secretary level officer. The authorization will be produced by the officer on demand. Besides, provisions contained in the Manual of Departmental Security Instructions issued by Ministry of Home Affairs shall be followed in this regard.
What This Means
Para 57 specifies who may carry classified files outside the office — for instance, to a meeting at another Ministry, a conference, or a court. The rules are rank-dependent and require prior written authorisation.
For confidential papers, an officer of Section Officer or Desk Officer rank or above may carry them outside the office, but only under special circumstances and only with written authorisation from a Joint Secretary level officer. For Secret papers, the minimum carrying rank is Under Secretary, again with JS-level written authorisation. Top Secret papers are presumably even more restricted under MHA's full instructions.
The officer carrying classified papers must be able to produce the written authorisation on demand — for example, if challenged at a security check or by a senior officer. This rule prevents the casual and unauthorised removal of sensitive government files from secure premises. Section Officers receiving requests from other offices to bring classified files to a meeting must ensure the JS-level authorisation is obtained before complying.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1Classified papers may only be carried outside the office under special circumstances with written JS-level authorisation.
- 2For confidential papers: Section Officer rank or above can carry them, with JS-level written authorisation.
- 3For Secret papers: Under Secretary rank or above can carry them, with JS-level written authorisation.
- 4The officer carrying classified papers must produce the authorisation on demand.
- 5MHA's Departmental Security Instructions govern broader handling — Para 57 sets the minimum carriage rules.
- 6Section Officers must not allow classified files to be taken out of the office without verifying the required authorisation.
Practical Example
A Section Officer is directed to bring a confidential file to an inter-ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Secretariat. Before taking the file, the SO must obtain a written authorisation signed by the Joint Secretary of the Ministry stating that the SO is authorised to carry that specific file to the specified meeting. The authorisation is printed on official letter-head, signed by the JS, and the SO carries it to the meeting. If a security officer at the Cabinet Secretariat entry asks why a confidential file is being brought in, the SO produces the authorisation. On return, the file is logged back in and the authorisation is placed on the file.
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.