The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968
3. GENERAL:
(1) Every member of the Service shall at all times maintain absolute integrity and devotion to duty and shall do nothing which is unbecoming of a member of the Service. -
*[(1A) Every member of the Service shall maintain:-
(i) high ethical standards, integrity and honesty;
(ii) political neutrality;
(iii) promoting of the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties; -
(iv) accountability and transparency;
(v) responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section;
(vi) courtesy and good behavior with the public.]
* Inserted w.e.f. 06-08-2014 vide the All India Services (Conduct) Amendment Rules, 2014
(2) Every member of the Service shall take all possible steps to ensure integrity of, and devotion to duty by, all Government servants for the time being under his control and authority.
(2A) Every member of the service shall in the discharge of his duties act in a courteous manner and shall not dilatory tactics in his dealings with the public or otherwise.
**[(2B) Every member of the Service shall:-
(i) commit himself to and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values;
(ii) defend and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of State, public order, decency and morality;
(iii) maintain integrity in public service;
(iv) take decisions solely in public interest and use or cause to use public resources efficiently, effectively and economically;
(v) declare any private interests relating to his public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts in a way that protects the public interest;
(vi) not place himself under any financial or other obligations to any individual or organisation which may influence him in the performance of his official duties;
(vii) not misuse his position as civil servant and not take decisions in order to derive financial or material benefits for himself, his family or his friends;
(viii) make choices, take decisions and make recommendations on merit alone;
(ix) act with fairness and impartiality and not discriminate against anyone, particularly the poor and the under-privileged sections of society;
(x) refrain from doing anything which is or may be contrary to any law, rules, regulations and established practices;
(xi) maintain discipline in the discharge of his duties and be liable to implement the lawful orders duly communicated to him;
(xii) be liable to maintain confidentiality in the performance of his official duties as required by any laws for the time being in force, particularly with regard to information, disclosure of which may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of State, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, friendly relation with foreign countries or lead to incitement of an offence or illegal or unlawful gains to any person;
(xiii) perform and discharge his duties with the highest degree of professionalism and dedication to the best of his abilities.]
** Inserted w.e.f. 06-08-2014 vide the All India Services (Conduct) Amendment Rules, 2014
(3)(i) No member of the Service shall, in the performance of his official duties, or in the exercise of powers conferred on him, act otherwise than in his own best judgement to be true and correct except when he is acting under the direction of his official superior.
(3)(ii) The direction of the official superior shall ordinarily be in writing. Where the issue of oral direction becomes unavoidable, the official superior shall confirm it in writing immediately thereafter.
(3)(iii) A member of the Service who has received oral direction from his official superior shall seek confirmation of the same in writing as early as possible and in such case, it shall be the duty of the official superior to confirm the direction in writing.
Explanation I.- A member of the Service who habitually fails to perform a task assigned to him within the time set for the purpose and with the quality of performance expected of him shall be deemed to be lacking in devotion to duty within the meaning of the sub-rule (1);
Explanation II.- Nothing in clause (i) of sub-rule (3) shall be construed as empowering a Government servant to evade his responsibilities by seeking instructions from or approval of, a superior officer or authority when such instructions are not necessary under the scheme of distribution of powers and responsibilities.
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