Rule 14: Public Demonstrations in Honour of Government Servants
Rule 14 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 regulates complimentary addresses, testimonials, meetings and entertainment held in honour of Government servants. Its central requirement is that a Government servant should not accept or attend such public honours without the previous sanction of the Government, unless the occasion falls within the stated exceptions.
Text of Rule 14 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964
14. Public demonstrations in honour of Government servants
No Government servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the Government, receive any complimentary or valedictory address or accept any testimonial or attend any meeting or entertainment held in his honour; or in the honour of any other Government servant:
Provided that nothing in this rule shall apply to -
(i) a farewell entertainment of a substantially private and informal character held in honour of a Government servant or any other Government servant on the occasion of his retirement or transfer or any person who has recently quitted the service of any Government; or
(ii) the acceptance of simple and inexpensive entertainments arranged by public bodies or institutions.
NOTE: Exercise of pressure or influence of any sort on any Government servant to induce him to subscribe towards any farewell entertainment if it is of a substantially private or informal character and the collection of subscriptions from Class III or Class IV employees under any circumstances for the entertainment of any Government servant not belonging to Class III or Class IV, is forbidden.
Meaning and scope of Rule 14
Rule 14 is a conduct restriction intended to preserve propriety and official impartiality when honours or public appreciation are directed towards serving Government personnel. The words "previous sanction" mean that, where sanction is required, it should be obtained before the Government servant receives the address or testimonial or attends the event covered by the rule.
The rule is wider than a prohibition on accepting gifts. It separately covers complimentary or valedictory addresses, testimonials, and meetings or entertainment held in honour of the Government servant or another Government servant. Gifts are dealt with principally under Rule 13 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
Exceptions: when previous sanction is not required under Rule 14 itself
1. Private and informal farewell entertainment
A substantially private and informal farewell may be held for a Government servant on retirement or transfer, or for a person who has recently left Government service. The exception is tied to the private and informal character of the event. A large public felicitation or formal public honour should not automatically be treated as falling within this exception.
2. Simple and inexpensive entertainment by public bodies or institutions
The second exception permits acceptance of simple and inexpensive entertainment arranged by public bodies or institutions. The language of the rule emphasizes modesty and simplicity; an elaborate or valuable benefit should be examined under the applicable conduct rules before acceptance.
Subscriptions and pressure on Government employees
The note appended to Rule 14 expressly forbids pressure or influence on a Government servant to make a subscription towards a private or informal farewell entertainment. It also contains a specific prohibition concerning collection of subscriptions from employees described in the rule as Class III or Class IV employees for the entertainment of a Government servant outside those classes.
Practical compliance points
Before accepting a public felicitation, testimonial, complimentary address, or attending an event held specifically in honour of a Government servant, the nature of the event should be examined first. If it is not clearly covered by one of Rule 14's exceptions, prior sanction from the competent Government authority should be obtained.
Rule 14 should also be read with related conduct provisions where the occasion includes gifts, fundraising, outside organizations, private employment, political activity, or other benefits. For example, gifts are principally governed by Rule 13, while private trade or employment is addressed by Rule 15.
This page is intended as a structured reading aid. For an official or service decision, the current rule, applicable Government instructions, departmental orders and the competent authority's interpretation should be checked.
Official resources
For current Central Government service-rule material and departmental instructions, refer to the official Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) website. DoPT is the Central Government department responsible for general policy relating to the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
An official DoPT consolidation on Government servants' official dealings also cites the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and is available from the DoPT website. For Rule 14 itself, users should verify the latest notified text and any later instructions on the official DoPT portal.