Rule 10 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964: Evidence Before Committee or Other Authority

Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 regulates when a Central Government servant may give evidence in an enquiry conducted by a person, committee or other authority. The general rule requires previous sanction of the Government, while sub-rule (3) creates specific exceptions.

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

What Rule 10 Means

Rule 10 is a conduct restriction dealing with evidence given by a Government servant in connection with an enquiry. Its purpose is to regulate participation in outside enquiries where official knowledge, Government policy or official action may be involved.

• Previous Government sanction is ordinarily required before a Government servant gives evidence in an enquiry conducted by a person, committee or authority.
• Where sanction is granted, the Government servant must not use the evidence to criticise the policy or any action of the Central Government or a State Government.
• The prior-sanction requirement does not apply to the three categories expressly listed in sub-rule (3).

Text of Rule 10 - Evidence Before Committee or Any Other Authority

When Previous Sanction Is Required

Under Rule 10(1), a Government servant should obtain previous sanction of the Government before giving evidence in connection with an enquiry conducted by a person, committee or authority, unless the case falls within one of the exceptions in Rule 10(3).

The word "previous" is important: where Rule 10(1) applies, the approval is intended to be obtained before the evidence is given. The particular competent authority and procedure should be checked under the applicable departmental instructions and delegation of powers.

Restriction After Sanction Is Granted

Rule 10(2) provides that even when sanction has been granted under Rule 10(1), the Government servant giving evidence must not criticise the policy or any action of the Central Government or a State Government in that evidence.

Rule 10 should therefore be read together with the wider conduct obligations dealing with criticism of Government and unauthorised communication of official information, particularly Rule 9 - Criticism of Government and Rule 11 - Unauthorised communication of information.

Exceptions Under Rule 10(3)

1. Enquiry Before an Authority Appointed by Government, Parliament or a State Legislature

Rule 10 does not apply where the evidence is given at an enquiry before an authority appointed by the Government, Parliament or a State Legislature.

2. Judicial Enquiry

Evidence given in a judicial enquiry is outside the restriction created by Rule 10. A Government servant does not require sanction under this rule merely because evidence is being given in such a judicial enquiry.

3. Departmental Enquiry Ordered by Subordinate Authorities

Rule 10 also does not apply to evidence given at a departmental enquiry ordered by authorities subordinate to the Government.

Official Reference and Administrative Guidance

For current Government material, users should consult the Department of Personnel and Training and Government training institutions. Official compilations and administrative instructions should be checked before relying on any secondary summary, especially where a departmental enquiry, summons, official records or confidential information is involved.

The Institute of Secretariat Training and Management, Government of India, maintains an official overview of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. The Department of Personnel and Training is the Central Government department responsible for personnel policy and related service-rule instructions.

Related CCS (Conduct) Rules

For related restrictions and duties, see Rule 8 - Connection with Press or Other Media, Rule 9 - Criticism of Government, Rule 11 - Unauthorised Communication of Information, and Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.