Rule 13 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 - Gifts
Rule 13 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 regulates the acceptance of gifts and certain forms of hospitality by Central Government servants. It covers gifts accepted directly by a Government servant as well as gifts accepted by family members or another person acting on the Government servant's behalf.
Updated: 14 September 2026
Rule 13(1): General prohibition and meaning of gift
Rule 13(1): Save as provided in the Conduct Rules, a Government servant shall not accept, or permit any member of his family or any other person acting on his behalf to accept, any gift.
Explanation: The expression "gift" includes free transport, boarding, lodging or other service, or any other pecuniary advantage, when provided by a person other than a near relative or a personal friend having no official dealings with the Government servant.
Social hospitality: A casual meal, lift or other social hospitality is not treated as a gift. However, a Government servant should avoid lavish or frequent hospitality from individuals, industrial or commercial firms, organisations or others having official dealings with the Government servant.
Rule 13(2): Gifts on customary occasions
On occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, funerals or religious functions, where giving a gift is in conformity with prevailing religious and social practice, a Government servant may accept gifts from near relatives or personal friends who have no official dealings with the Government servant. A report must be made to the Government when the value exceeds the applicable limit below.
| Post held | Reporting threshold under Rule 13(2) | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Above Rs. 25,000 | Report the gift to the Government |
| Group B | Above Rs. 15,000 | Report the gift to the Government |
| Group C | Above Rs. 7,500 | Report the gift to the Government |
These limits were substituted by the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Amendment Rules, 2014.
Rule 13(3): Other gifts - Government sanction
For cases not covered by Rule 13(2), a Government servant shall not accept a gift without Government sanction if its value exceeds the following limits:
| Post held | Limit under Rule 13(3) | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Group A or Group B | Above Rs. 5,000 | Government sanction required |
| Group C | Above Rs. 2,000 | Government sanction required |
Rule 13(4): Gifts from foreign dignitaries
Notwithstanding Rule 13(2) and Rule 13(3), a Government servant, whether as a member of an Indian delegation or otherwise, may receive and retain gifts from foreign dignitaries in accordance with the Foreign Contribution (Acceptance or Retention of Gifts or Presentations) Rules, 2012, as amended from time to time.
The old provision permitting retention merely by reference to a Rs. 1,000 market-value ceiling was replaced by the 2019 amendment.
Rule 13(5): Gifts from foreign firms
A Government servant shall not accept gifts from a foreign firm that is contracting with the Government of India, or with which the Government servant had, has, or is likely to have official dealings. Acceptance of gifts from any other foreign firm remains subject to Rule 13(3).
Rule 13-A: Dowry
Rule 13-A separately prohibits a Government servant from giving or taking dowry, abetting the giving or taking of dowry, or directly or indirectly demanding dowry from the parent or guardian of a bride or bridegroom.
For Rule 13-A, the expression "dowry" has the same meaning as in the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
Practical distinction: report versus prior sanction
Rule 13 draws an important distinction. A customary gift from a near relative or personal friend with no official dealings may be accepted, subject to reporting when Rule 13(2) thresholds are crossed. In other cases, Rule 13(3) restricts acceptance itself when the specified value is exceeded unless Government sanction is obtained.
Official references and further reading
For current Government guidance, refer to the Department of Personnel and Training and the Institute of Secretariat Training & Management. The ISTM conduct-rules reference summarises Rule 13 reporting and permission requirements using the current limits.
- Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
- ISTM - CCS Conduct Rules reference
- Ministry of External Affairs - Toshakhana disclosures
Note: This page is an explanatory legal-information article. Where an individual case raises a question of permission, reporting or disciplinary compliance, the applicable rule text, amendment notification and departmental instructions should be checked.