The principle behind Rule 15 is straightforward: a Government servant's primary and undivided obligation is to the Government. Any outside employment or business activity that competes for that attention, creates conflicts of interest, or brings the service into disrepute requires prior sanction. Rule 15 identifies what activities fall into this category — and carves out a safe harbour of activities that are permitted without permission.
Rule 15(1): Activities That Require Prior Government Sanction
Subject to the exceptions in Rule 15(2), no Government servant shall, except with the previous sanction of the Government, engage in any of the following:
| Clause | Prohibited Activity (Without Sanction) |
|---|---|
| (a) | Engage directly or indirectly in any trade or business |
| (b) | Negotiate for, or undertake, any other employment |
| (c) | Hold an elective office, or canvass for a candidate for elective office, in any body (incorporated or not) |
| (d) | Canvass in support of any business of insurance agency or commission agency owned or managed by a family member |
| (e) | Take part (outside official duties) in the registration, promotion or management of any bank or company under the Companies Act, or any cooperative society for commercial purposes |
| (f) | Participate in or associate with the making of a sponsored media programme (radio or TV), a government-media commissioned but privately produced programme, or a privately produced media programme including a video magazine |
The proviso to clause (f) creates one exception: no prior permission is necessary where the Government servant participates in a programme produced or commissioned by Government media in his official capacity.
Rule 15(2): Activities Permitted Without Prior Sanction
Rule 15(2) lists five categories of activity that a Government servant may undertake without obtaining prior permission:
| Clause | Permitted Activity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Honorary work of a social or charitable nature | Must be honorary — no remuneration |
| (b) | Occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character | Must be occasional, not a regular trade |
| (c) | Participate in sports activities as an amateur | As an amateur, not as a professional |
| (d) | Registration, promotion or management (not involving elective office) of a literary, scientific or charitable society or club registered under the Societies Registration Act | Must report within one month; official duties must not suffer |
| (e) | Registration, promotion or management (not involving elective office) of a cooperative society substantially for the benefit of Government servants | Must report within one month; official duties must not suffer |
For activities under clauses (d) and (e), the Government servant must:
- Discontinue the activity if directed by the Government
- Ensure that official duties do not suffer
- Report to the Government within one month of taking part, giving details of participation
Rule 15(3): The Family Business Reporting Requirement
Every Government servant is required to report to the Government if any member of his family is engaged in a trade or business, or owns or manages an insurance agency or commission agency. This is a reporting requirement — it does not prohibit the family member's activity, but the Government servant must disclose the connection so that potential conflicts of interest can be managed.
Rule 15(4): Fees for Private Work
Unless otherwise provided by general or special orders, no Government servant may accept any fee for work done for any private or public body or any private person without the sanction of the prescribed authority. The term "fee" has the meaning assigned to it in Fundamental Rule 9(6-A) — broadly, any payment for services rendered in a non-official capacity.
This means even permitted activities like occasional literary work or charitable work cannot be paid for without prescribed authority sanction, unless covered by a general order.
Practical Examples
| Activity | Sanction Needed? |
|---|---|
| Running a shop or online business | ✅ Yes — prior Government sanction |
| Writing a book on a hobby subject and publishing it | Generally ✅ No — but fee requires prescribed authority sanction |
| Volunteering at an NGO without payment | ❌ No sanction needed |
| Spouse running an insurance agency | Must report to Government |
| Becoming President of a sports club | ✅ Yes — elective office needs prior sanction |
| Playing cricket in an amateur league | ❌ No sanction needed |
| Serving as Secretary of a registered literary society | ❌ No sanction, but must report within one month |
| Appearing on a private TV panel discussion | ✅ Yes — prior sanction under Rule 15(1)(f) |
| Part-time tutoring for fees | ✅ Yes — prior sanction needed |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can a Government servant run a small shop or business on the side?
No — not without prior sanction of the Government. Rule 15(1)(a) prohibits engaging directly or indirectly in any trade or business without prior sanction. Running a shop, an online store, or any commercial enterprise — even if managed by a family member with the employee's involvement — requires prior permission.
Q2. Can a Government servant write articles for a magazine and receive payment?
Occasional literary work is permitted under Rule 15(2)(b) without prior sanction. However, any fee received requires sanction of the prescribed authority under Rule 15(4). Occasional articles are generally acceptable; running a regular paid column or content business crosses into trade or business requiring sanction.
Q3. Does a Government servant need to report if his spouse runs a business?
Yes. Rule 15(3) requires every Government servant to report to the Government if any member of his family is engaged in a trade or business, or owns or manages an insurance agency or commission agency. This is a reporting requirement, not a prohibition on the family member's activity.
Q4. Can a Government servant coach students privately for fees?
Regular paid coaching falls within "trade or business" under Rule 15(1)(a) and requires prior Government sanction. A one-off honorary tutoring session for a charitable cause would be permitted under Rule 15(2)(a) without sanction.
Related Reading
Official Source / आधिकारिक स्रोत: Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 — Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). Download full PDF ⬇