This is Set 7 of 40 in the smartvidya question bank on the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, with the latest amendments and DoPT instructions. Part II: Suspension. This set covers Rule 10(5), (6), (7): review committee, 90 days, 180 days extensions, 2022 provisos (270 days / two years without charge sheet), Ajay Kumar Choudhary 2015.
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Set 7: Suspension III: Continuance, Review and Time Limits
1. Under Rule 10(5)(a), how long does an order of suspension continue in force?
(a) Until the Government servant makes a representation
(b) For a fixed period of one year
(c) Until the end of the financial year
(d) Until it is modified or revoked by the competent authority, subject to Rule 10(7)
Ans. (d) Until it is modified or revoked by the competent authority, subject to Rule 10(7) — Explanation: Rule 10(5)(a) keeps the order in force until modified or revoked, subject to the 90-day validity condition in Rule 10(7). [Ref: Rule 10(5)(a)]
2. A suspended Government servant faces a fresh disciplinary proceeding started during his suspension. What may the competent authority do under Rule 10(5)(b)?
(a) Revoke the first suspension and issue a new one
(b) Direct, for reasons recorded in writing, that he continue under suspension until the termination of all or any of such proceedings
(c) Nothing, since a person can be suspended for only one proceeding
(d) Issue a second suspension order running consecutively
Ans. (b) Direct, for reasons recorded in writing, that he continue under suspension until the termination of all or any of such proceedings — Explanation: Rule 10(5)(b) permits continuation of suspension until the termination of all or any of the proceedings, with reasons recorded in writing. [Ref: Rule 10(5)(b)]
3. Under Rule 10(5)(c), which authority may modify or revoke an order of suspension at any time?
(a) The authority which made or is deemed to have made the order, or any authority to which it is subordinate
(b) Any authority subordinate to the one that made the order
(c) Only the Review Committee
(d) Only the President
Ans. (a) The authority which made or is deemed to have made the order, or any authority to which it is subordinate — Explanation: Rule 10(5)(c) vests the power in the authority that made or is deemed to have made the order or any authority superior to it. [Ref: Rule 10(5)(c)]
4. Under Rule 10(6), within what time must an order of suspension be reviewed?
(a) Before the expiry of one year from the order
(b) Within one hundred and eighty days of the order
(c) Before the expiry of ninety days from the effective date of suspension
(d) Within thirty days of the order
Ans. (c) Before the expiry of ninety days from the effective date of suspension — Explanation: Rule 10(6) requires review by the competent authority before the expiry of ninety days from the effective date of suspension. [Ref: Rule 10(6)]
5. On whose recommendation does the competent authority review a suspension under Rule 10(6)?
(a) A Review Committee constituted for the purpose
(b) The Central Vigilance Commission
(c) The Union Public Service Commission
(d) The inquiring authority
Ans. (a) A Review Committee constituted for the purpose — Explanation: Rule 10(6) provides that the review is made on the recommendation of the Review Committee constituted for the purpose. [Ref: Rule 10(6)]
6. After a review under Rule 10(6), for what maximum period at a time may suspension be extended?
(a) Ninety days
(b) One year
(c) Two years
(d) One hundred and eighty days
Ans. (d) One hundred and eighty days — Explanation: Rule 10(6) states that an extension of suspension shall not be for a period exceeding one hundred and eighty days at a time. [Ref: Rule 10(6)]
7. What does Rule 10(7) provide about an order of suspension made or deemed under Rule 10(1) or 10(2)?
(a) It shall not be valid after ninety days unless extended after review before the expiry of ninety days
(b) It remains valid indefinitely until revoked
(c) It lapses after one hundred and eighty days in every case
(d) It must be confirmed by the UPSC within ninety days
Ans. (a) It shall not be valid after ninety days unless extended after review before the expiry of ninety days — Explanation: Rule 10(7) makes the order invalid after ninety days unless it is extended after a review held before the ninety days expire. [Ref: Rule 10(7)]
8. A Government servant was suspended on 1 January under Rule 10(1)(a). No review was held within ninety days. What is the consequence?
(a) The suspension ceases to be valid after ninety days and cannot be extended by a later review
(b) The suspension is automatically extended by one hundred and eighty days
(c) The suspension continues until a review is held
(d) The suspension converts into deemed suspension
Ans. (a) The suspension ceases to be valid after ninety days and cannot be extended by a later review — Explanation: Under Rule 10(7) an order not extended after review before the ninety days expire is not valid thereafter; a belated review cannot revive it. [Ref: Rule 10(6) and 10(7)]
9. A suspension is reviewed on the eightieth day and extended by one hundred and eighty days. When must the next review take place?
(a) Before the expiry of the extended period
(b) No further review is required after the first extension
(c) Only when the charge-sheet is issued
(d) Within ninety days of the first review
Ans. (a) Before the expiry of the extended period — Explanation: Rule 10(6) requires subsequent reviews to be made before the expiry of the extended period of suspension. [Ref: Rule 10(6)]
10. In the case of deemed suspension under Rule 10(2) where the Government servant remains in custody, how is the ninety-day period counted under the first proviso to Rule 10(7)?
(a) From the date of the first remand order
(b) From the date of release from detention or the date of intimation of release to the appointing authority, whichever is later
(c) From the date of arrest
(d) From the date the department learns of the arrest
Ans. (b) From the date of release from detention or the date of intimation of release to the appointing authority, whichever is later — Explanation: No review is needed while he continues in custody; the ninety days run from release or the intimation of release to the appointing authority, whichever is later. [Ref: Rule 10(7), first proviso]
11. Under the second proviso to Rule 10(7) inserted in 2022, where no charge-sheet has been issued, what is the maximum total period of suspension ordered under Rule 10(1)(a)?
(a) Two years
(b) Two hundred and seventy days from the date of the suspension order
(c) One year
(d) One hundred and eighty days
Ans. (b) Two hundred and seventy days from the date of the suspension order — Explanation: The second proviso caps suspension under Rule 10(1)(a), including extensions, at two hundred and seventy days where no charge-sheet has been issued. [Ref: Rule 10(7), second proviso]
12. Where no charge-sheet has been issued, what is the maximum total period of suspension ordered under Rule 10(1)(aa) or Rule 10(1)(b)?
(a) Ninety days
(b) Three years
(c) Two years from the date of the suspension order
(d) Two hundred and seventy days
Ans. (c) Two years from the date of the suspension order — Explanation: For suspension on security grounds or a pending criminal case, the second proviso allows up to two years in total where no charge-sheet has been issued. [Ref: Rule 10(7), second proviso]
13. Where no charge-sheet has been issued, for how long may deemed suspension under Rule 10(2) continue in total?
(a) Two hundred and seventy days from the date of arrest
(b) Ninety days from the date of release
(c) Two years from the date of arrest
(d) Two years from the date of release from detention or the date of intimation of release, whichever is later
Ans. (d) Two years from the date of release from detention or the date of intimation of release, whichever is later — Explanation: The second proviso limits such deemed suspension to two years counted from release or intimation of release to the appointing authority, whichever is later. [Ref: Rule 10(7), second proviso]
14. A Government servant suspended under Rule 10(1)(a) has had his suspension extended after review, but no charge-sheet has been issued even after two hundred and seventy days. What must happen?
(a) It continues until the inquiry report is received
(b) The suspension cannot continue beyond two hundred and seventy days and must end
(c) It may be extended for another one hundred and eighty days
(d) It converts automatically into suspension under Rule 10(1)(b)
Ans. (b) The suspension cannot continue beyond two hundred and seventy days and must end — Explanation: The 2022 proviso sets an outer limit of two hundred and seventy days, including extensions, for such suspension where no charge-sheet is issued. [Ref: Rule 10(7), second proviso]
15. In which year were the provisos capping the total period of suspension without a charge-sheet inserted in Rule 10(7)?
(a) 2017
(b) 2022
(c) 2014
(d) 2026
Ans. (b) 2022 — Explanation: The CCS (CCA) Amendment Rules, 2022 notified in October 2022 substituted the proviso to Rule 10(7) with two provisos including these caps. [Ref: CCS (CCA) Amendment Rules, 2022]
16. What did the Supreme Court hold in Ajay Kumar Choudhary v Union of India (2015) about the currency of suspension?
(a) It must be approved by the Supreme Court in every case
(b) It should not extend beyond three months if the memorandum of charges is not served within that period
(c) It may continue indefinitely while the investigation is pending
(d) It must end after six months even if a charge-sheet has been served
Ans. (b) It should not extend beyond three months if the memorandum of charges is not served within that period — Explanation: The Court held that suspension should not extend beyond three months without service of the charge memo; if served, a reasoned order is needed for extension. [Ref: Ajay Kumar Choudhary v Union of India (2015) 7 SCC 291]
17. According to Ajay Kumar Choudhary (2015), what may the Government do instead of prolonging suspension where it fears the officer may influence witnesses?
(a) Withhold his subsistence allowance
(b) Keep him under suspension without any review
(c) Dismiss him without inquiry
(d) Transfer him to another office or department to sever his local links
Ans. (d) Transfer him to another office or department to sever his local links — Explanation: The Court observed that the Government is free to transfer the person to any department or office to sever links with the witnesses and the case. [Ref: Ajay Kumar Choudhary v Union of India (2015)]
18. According to DoPT instructions, where a Government servant is suspended because disciplinary proceedings are contemplated, within what period should the charge-sheet normally be issued?
(a) Two hundred and seventy days from the date of suspension
(b) Six months from the date of suspension
(c) Three months from the date of suspension
(d) One year from the date of suspension
Ans. (c) Three months from the date of suspension — Explanation: The consolidated suspension instructions of 2014 ask for the charge-sheet within three months in such cases, and the 2016 OM reiterated this after the Ajay Kumar Choudhary judgment. [Ref: DoPT OM dated 2.1.2014; DoPT OM dated 23.8.2016]
19. Which authority reviews an order of suspension under Rule 10(6)?
(a) The inquiring authority
(b) The authority competent to modify or revoke the suspension
(c) The presenting officer
(d) The Central Vigilance Commission
Ans. (b) The authority competent to modify or revoke the suspension — Explanation: Rule 10(6) places the review in the hands of the authority competent to modify or revoke the suspension, acting on the Review Committee's recommendation. [Ref: Rule 10(6)]
20. The ninety-day validity limit in Rule 10(7) applies expressly to suspension made or deemed under which sub-rules?
(a) Rule 10(3) or Rule 10(4)
(b) Rule 10(5) only
(c) Rule 10(6) only
(d) Rule 10(1) or Rule 10(2)
Ans. (d) Rule 10(1) or Rule 10(2) — Explanation: Rule 10(7) refers to an order of suspension made or deemed to have been made under Rule 10(1) or Rule 10(2). [Ref: Rule 10(7)]
21. What is the purpose of the periodical review of suspension under Rule 10(6)?
(a) To fix the quantum of loss to be recovered
(b) To decide the penalty to be imposed
(c) To decide whether to extend or revoke the suspension so that it is not unduly prolonged
(d) To appoint the inquiring authority
Ans. (c) To decide whether to extend or revoke the suspension so that it is not unduly prolonged — Explanation: The review leads to an order extending or revoking the suspension; it is a safeguard against prolonged suspension, not a decision on the merits. [Ref: Rule 10(6)]
22. A suspension under Rule 10(1)(b) (criminal case under investigation) has continued with extensions; no charge-sheet has been issued. Under the 2022 provisos, what is the outer limit?
(a) There is no outer limit for criminal cases
(b) Two hundred and seventy days from the date of the suspension order
(c) Two years from the date of the suspension order
(d) Ninety days from the date of the suspension order
Ans. (c) Two years from the date of the suspension order — Explanation: For suspension under Rule 10(1)(aa) or 10(1)(b), the total period without a charge-sheet cannot exceed two years. [Ref: Rule 10(7), second proviso]
23. Consider the statements: (i) An extension of suspension after review may be for up to one hundred and eighty days at a time. (ii) Deemed suspension under Rule 10(2) must be reviewed within ninety days of arrest even while the person remains in custody. Which is/are correct?
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (ii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
Ans. (a) Only (i) — Explanation: Rule 10(6) allows extensions of up to one hundred and eighty days at a time, but the first proviso to Rule 10(7) dispenses with review while the person remains in custody. [Ref: Rule 10(6) and 10(7)]
24. Assertion (A): An order of suspension that is not reviewed before the expiry of ninety days ceases to be valid. Reason (R): Rule 10(6) permits extension of suspension for up to one year at a time.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans. (c) A is true but R is false — Explanation: Rule 10(7) supports the assertion, but extensions under Rule 10(6) are limited to one hundred and eighty days at a time, so the reason is false. [Ref: Rule 10(6) and 10(7)]
25. Consider the statements: (i) Ajay Kumar Choudhary held that suspension may continue indefinitely if a charge-sheet is issued within one year. (ii) An extension of suspension after review may not exceed ninety days at a time. Which is/are correct?
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (ii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
Ans. (d) Neither (i) nor (ii) — Explanation: The judgment fixed a three-month benchmark for serving the charge memo, and Rule 10(6) allows extensions of up to one hundred and eighty days, so both statements are wrong. [Ref: Rule 10(6); Ajay Kumar Choudhary (2015)]
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These questions are prepared for practice from the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 as amended (including the 2014, 2017, 2022 and January 2026 amendments), DoPT and CVC instructions, and Supreme Court judgments. Check the latest DoPT notifications and orders before relying on any detail.