The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964

11. UNAUTHORISED COMMUNICATION OF INFORMATION:

No Government servant shall, except in accordance with any general or special order of the Government or in the performance in good faith of the duties assigned to him, communicate, directly or indirectly, any official document or any part thereof or information to any Government servant or any other person to whom he is not authorised to communicate such document or information.

EXPLANATION - Quotation by a Government servant (in his representation to the Head of Office, or Head of Department or President) of or from any letter, circular or office memorandum or from the notes on any file, to which he is not authorised to have access, or which he is not authorised to keep in his personal custody or for personal purposes, shall amount to unauthorised communication of information within the meaning of this rule.

Government of India Decisions:

(1) Confidential Reports – Disclosure of identity of superior officers while communicating adverse remarks [MHA OM No. 51/2/64-Ests. (A) dated 30.03.1964]
(2) Leakage through the Press of classified information – safe-guards against – only officers specially authorized should meet the Press [MHA OM No. 29/9/67-Ests. (A) dated 04.07.1967]
(3) Communication of Unauthorised Information (MHA OM No. 25/54/58-Ests., dated 12.04.1954)
(4) Contact with Press and airing of views on official matters through the Press. [DOPT OM No. 11013/16/98-Estt. (A), dated 10th December, 1998]