Rule 22 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964: Consumption of Intoxicating Drinks and Drugs

Updated: 14 September 2026

Rule 22 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 regulates the conduct of Central Government servants in relation to intoxicating drinks and drugs. The rule focuses on compliance with local law, fitness for official duty, conduct in public places, and avoidance of excessive use.

In brief: A Government servant must obey the law relating to intoxicants, must not be under their influence while on duty, must ensure that official performance is not affected, must refrain from consuming intoxicants in a public place, must not appear intoxicated in a public place, and must not use intoxicating drinks or drugs to excess.

Text and requirements of Rule 22

A Government servant shall:

  1. strictly abide by any law relating to intoxicating drinks or drugs in force in the area where the Government servant is present;
  2. not be under the influence of any intoxicating drink or drug during the course of duty, and take due care that the performance of official duties is not affected by such influence;
  3. refrain from consuming any intoxicating drink or drug in a public place;
  4. not appear in a public place in a state of intoxication; and
  5. not use any intoxicating drink or drug to excess.
Meaning of "public place": For Rule 22, a public place includes any place or premises, including a conveyance, to which the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise.

What Rule 22 means in practice

The rule does not merely deal with drinking while physically present at the office. It also requires a Government servant to ensure that the effect of an intoxicating drink or drug does not impair official performance at any time when duties are required to be performed.

The rule also operates alongside the law applicable in the place where the Government servant is present. Accordingly, if a State or local law prohibits, restricts or regulates possession, consumption or use of a particular intoxicating substance, Rule 22 requires strict compliance with that law.

Consumption in a public place

Rule 22 expressly requires a Government servant to refrain from consuming intoxicating drinks or drugs in a public place and prohibits appearing in a public place in a state of intoxication. The definition is broad and includes places or premises open or accessible to the public, including conveyances.

Disciplinary implications

Government instructions issued under the CCS (Conduct) Rules have treated violation of Rule 22 as a serious matter capable of attracting disciplinary action under the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, subject to the applicable disciplinary procedure and the facts of the case.

Rule 22-A: Prohibition regarding employment of children below 14 years

Rule 22-A is a separate provision immediately following Rule 22. It provides that no Government servant shall employ to work any child below the age of 14 years.

Official references

For authoritative and updated service-rule material, readers should refer to the official Government of India sources, including the Department of Personnel and Training and the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management.

Note: This page is an informational explanation of the service rule. In an individual disciplinary matter, the applicable rule text, Government instructions, departmental orders, local law and the facts of the case should be examined together.