Rule 9 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964: Criticism of Government

Rule 9 regulates public statements by Central Government servants that adversely criticise current or recent Government policy or action, or that may embarrass relations between Governments. It also contains specific exceptions for official statements and certain bona fide trade-union or service-association activity.

In brief: A Government servant should not use broadcasts, electronic media, published documents, press communications or public utterances to make statements falling within the prohibited categories in Rule 9. The rule expressly preserves statements made in an official capacity or in the due performance of assigned duties.

Text and meaning of Rule 9

Rule 9 - Criticism of Government

No Government servant shall, in any radio broadcast, telecast through any electronic media or in any document published in his own name or anonymously, pseudonymously or in the name of any other person or in any communication to the press or in any public utterance, make any statement of fact or opinion -

which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or a State Government;
which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any State; or
which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any foreign State.

Trade-union/service-association proviso: For Government servants covered by the relevant category referred to in the second proviso to Rule 1(3), clause (i) does not apply to a bona fide expression of views by an office-bearer of a trade union or association of Government servants for safeguarding or improving the conditions of service of such Government servants.

Official-duty exception: Nothing in Rule 9 applies to statements made or views expressed by a Government servant in an official capacity or in the due performance of duties assigned to that person.

What Rule 9 covers

The rule is framed broadly as to the mode of communication. It expressly refers to radio broadcasts, telecasts through electronic media, documents published under a person's own name or otherwise, press communications and public utterances. In modern practice, Government training material also treats social-media and comparable electronic-publication activity as falling within the discipline of the Conduct Rules where the content and circumstances attract Rule 9.

Adverse criticism of current or recent policy or action

Clause (i) focuses on statements of fact or opinion that have the effect of adversely criticising a current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or a State Government. The rule is directed at public criticism by Government servants, subject to the stated exceptions.

Relations with State Governments and foreign States

Clauses (ii) and (iii) are concerned with statements capable of embarrassing relations between the Central Government and a State Government, or between the Central Government and a foreign State. These clauses are distinct from the prohibition on adverse criticism in clause (i).

Important exceptions and practical points

Official capacity: The final proviso protects statements and views expressed in an official capacity or in the due performance of assigned duties. An authorised briefing, official report or statement required as part of official work is therefore treated differently from a personal public statement.

Service conditions: The specific proviso to clause (i) permits bona fide expression by qualifying trade-union or service-association office-bearers when the purpose is to safeguard or improve service conditions, subject to the wording and scope of the rule.

Other Conduct Rules may also apply: Depending on the facts, public statements may also engage provisions dealing with media connections, unauthorised communication of official information, political activity, demonstrations or general conduct. Rule 9 should therefore be read with the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 as a whole.

Compliance note: Whether a particular statement violates Rule 9 depends on its content, context, the capacity in which it was made and the applicable service instructions. Departmental or disciplinary questions should be assessed on the complete facts and the current Government orders applicable to the employee concerned.

Official Government references

For the current official framework and Government training/reference material, see the Department of Personnel and Training and the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management. The compiled CCS (Conduct) Rules material available through Government platforms reproduces Rule 9 and Government of India decisions issued under it.

Related CCS (Conduct) Rules

Rule 9 is best read with the surrounding provisions governing public communication and official information, particularly Rule 8 on connection with press or other media, Rule 10 on evidence before committees or authorities and Rule 11 on unauthorised communication of information.

This page is an informational summary of Rule 9 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and should be read with the official rules, amendments and applicable Government orders.