Rule 3 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 - General Conduct

Every Government servant shall at all times:

1. maintain absolute integrity;
2. maintain devotion to duty;
3. do nothing which is unbecoming of a Government servant;
4. commit himself to and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values;
5. defend and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency and morality;
6. maintain high ethical standards and honesty;
7. maintain political neutrality;
8. promote the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties;
9. maintain accountability and transparency;
10. maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker sections;
11. maintain courtesy and good behaviour with the public;
12. take decisions solely in public interest and use or cause to use public resources efficiently, effectively and economically;
13. declare any private interests relating to public duties and take steps to resolve any conflict in a way that protects the public interest;
14. not place himself under any financial or other obligations to any individual or organisation which may influence him in the performance of official duties;
15. not misuse his position as a civil servant and not take decisions in order to derive financial or material benefits for himself, his family or his friends;
16. make choices, take decisions and make recommendations on merit alone;
17. act with fairness and impartiality and not discriminate against anyone, particularly the poor and under-privileged sections of society;
18. refrain from doing anything which is or may be contrary to any law, rules, regulations and established practices;
19. maintain discipline in the discharge of duties and be liable to implement lawful orders duly communicated to him;
20. maintain confidentiality in the performance of official duties as required by law, particularly where disclosure may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, or may lead to incitement of an offence or illegal or unlawful gain to any person; and
21. perform and discharge duties with the highest degree of professionalism and dedication to the best of his abilities.

1. Every Government servant holding a supervisory post shall take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of Government servants for the time being under his control and authority.
2. No Government servant shall, in the performance of official duties or in the exercise of powers conferred on him, act otherwise than in his best judgement except when acting under the direction of his official superior.
3. The direction of the official superior shall ordinarily be in writing. Oral directions to subordinates shall be avoided as far as possible. Where an oral direction becomes unavoidable, the official superior shall confirm it in writing immediately thereafter.
4. A Government servant who has received an oral direction from an official superior shall seek confirmation of the same in writing as early as possible, whereupon it shall be the duty of the official superior to confirm the direction in writing.

Explanation I - Devotion to duty

A Government servant who habitually fails to perform a task assigned within the time set for the purpose and with the quality of performance expected shall be deemed to be lacking in devotion to duty within the meaning of Rule 3(1)(ii).

Explanation II - Responsibility cannot be avoided

Rule 3(2)(ii) does not empower a Government servant to evade responsibility by unnecessarily seeking instructions from, or approval of, a superior officer or authority when such instructions are not required under the distribution of powers and responsibilities.

No Government servant shall:

1. in the performance of official duties, act in a discourteous manner; or
2. in official dealings with the public or otherwise, adopt dilatory tactics or wilfully cause delays in disposal of the work assigned to him.

Every Government servant shall, at all times:

1. act in accordance with Government policies regarding age of marriage, preservation of the environment, protection of wildlife and cultural heritage; and
2. observe Government policies regarding prevention of crime against women.

(1) No Government servant shall indulge in any act of sexual harassment of any woman at any workplace.

(2) Every Government servant who is in charge of a workplace shall take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment of any woman at the workplace.

Meaning of sexual harassment

For the purpose of Rule 3C, sexual harassment includes one or more of the following unwelcome acts or behaviour, whether directly or by implication:

1. physical contact and advances;
2. a demand or request for sexual favours;
3. making sexually coloured remarks;
4. showing pornography; or
5. any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.

Circumstances that may amount to sexual harassment

1. implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment in employment;
2. implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in employment;
3. implied or explicit threat about present or future employment status;
4. interference with work or creating an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment; or
5. humiliating treatment likely to affect health or safety.

Meaning of workplace

For Rule 3C, workplace includes Central Government departments, organisations, undertakings, establishments, enterprises, institutions, offices, branches or units; hospitals or nursing homes; sports institutes, stadiums, sports complexes and competition or games venues; places visited in the course of employment including employer-provided transportation; and a dwelling place or house, as covered by the rule.