This is Set 8 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 FR 53, FR 54, 54-A, 54-B, treatment of suspension period, headquarters, private employment during suspension (DoPT/FR).
Try each question first, then tap Show answer to see the correct option, a short explanation and the section or rule reference. The questions are useful for departmental and promotion examinations, for disciplinary authorities, inquiring and presenting officers, and vigilance staff.
Set 8: Subsistence Allowance and the Suspension Period
1. Under FR 53, what is the subsistence allowance payable during the first three months of suspension?
(a) A fixed sum notified by the Government annually
(b) Full pay and allowances
(c) An amount equal to the leave salary on half average pay or half pay, plus dearness allowance on that amount
(d) One-third of the pay last drawn, without dearness allowance
Ans. (c) An amount equal to the leave salary on half average pay or half pay, plus dearness allowance on that amount — Explanation: FR 53 provides subsistence allowance equal to the leave salary admissible on half average pay or half pay, with dearness allowance based on that leave salary. [Ref: FR 53(1)]
2. After the first three months, by how much may subsistence allowance be increased where the prolongation of suspension is not attributable to the Government servant?
(a) By a suitable amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the allowance admissible during the first three months
(b) By up to one hundred per cent of the allowance
(c) To full pay and allowances
(d) By up to twenty-five per cent of the allowance
Ans. (a) By a suitable amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the allowance admissible during the first three months — Explanation: FR 53 allows an increase of up to fifty per cent of the subsistence allowance of the first three months where the delay is not directly attributable to him. [Ref: FR 53(1), proviso]
3. Where the prolongation of suspension beyond three months is directly attributable to the Government servant, what may be done to the subsistence allowance?
(a) It must remain unchanged in all cases
(b) It may be reduced by a suitable amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the allowance of the first three months
(c) It must be stopped altogether
(d) It must be reduced by exactly one-half
Ans. (b) It may be reduced by a suitable amount not exceeding fifty per cent of the allowance of the first three months — Explanation: FR 53 permits a reduction of up to fifty per cent where the prolongation is for reasons directly attributable to the Government servant. [Ref: FR 53(1), proviso]
4. When subsistence allowance is increased or reduced after three months, how is dearness allowance regulated?
(a) It is paid on full pay
(b) It is based on the increased or reduced amount of subsistence allowance
(c) It remains fixed at the amount admissible in the first three months
(d) It ceases to be payable
Ans. (b) It is based on the increased or reduced amount of subsistence allowance — Explanation: FR 53 provides that the rate of dearness allowance will be based on the increased or decreased amount of subsistence allowance. [Ref: FR 53(1), proviso]
5. Which authority may vary the subsistence allowance after the first three months of suspension?
(a) The authority which made or is deemed to have made the order of suspension
(b) The Pay and Accounts Officer
(c) The inquiring authority
(d) The Review Committee alone
Ans. (a) The authority which made or is deemed to have made the order of suspension — Explanation: FR 53 makes the authority that made or is deemed to have made the suspension order competent to increase or reduce the allowance. [Ref: FR 53(1)]
6. What certificate must a suspended Government servant furnish under FR 53(2) before subsistence allowance is paid?
(a) That he has no outstanding Government dues
(b) That he is not engaged in any other employment, business, profession or vocation
(c) That he has filed his property return
(d) That he has not left the headquarters during the month
Ans. (b) That he is not engaged in any other employment, business, profession or vocation — Explanation: FR 53(2) bars payment of subsistence allowance unless he certifies that he is not engaged in any other employment, business, profession or vocation. [Ref: FR 53(2)]
7. A suspended employee takes up a job with a private firm and does not furnish the FR 53(2) certificate. What is the consequence for subsistence allowance?
(a) Subsistence allowance is paid in full regardless
(b) The allowance is paid only after conclusion of the proceedings
(c) Subsistence allowance is paid at double rate
(d) No subsistence allowance can be paid for that period
Ans. (d) No subsistence allowance can be paid for that period — Explanation: Payment under FR 53 depends on the certificate of non-engagement in other employment, which he cannot truthfully give. [Ref: FR 53(2)]
8. How are compensatory allowances treated for a Government servant under suspension?
(a) They are always paid at double the normal rate
(b) They are never admissible during suspension
(c) They are paid only after reinstatement
(d) They are admissible on the basis of pay at the date of suspension, subject to the conditions for their drawal
Ans. (d) They are admissible on the basis of pay at the date of suspension, subject to the conditions for their drawal — Explanation: FR 53 allows compensatory allowances admissible from time to time on the pay drawn on the date of suspension, if the conditions for drawing them are met. [Ref: FR 53(1)(ii)(b)]
9. Which of the following is NOT deducted from subsistence allowance?
(a) Recovery of loans and advances taken from Government
(b) Licence fee for Government accommodation
(c) Income tax
(d) General Provident Fund subscription
Ans. (d) General Provident Fund subscription — Explanation: A subscriber does not subscribe to the GPF during suspension; income tax, licence fee and recovery of Government loans are compulsory deductions. [Ref: FR 53, Government of India decisions; GPF (CS) Rules]
10. Can leave be granted to a Government servant while he is under suspension?
(a) No; FR 55 bars grant of leave to a Government servant under suspension
(b) Yes, any kind of leave due
(c) Yes, but only earned leave
(d) Yes, but only with the Review Committee's approval
Ans. (a) No; FR 55 bars grant of leave to a Government servant under suspension — Explanation: FR 55 provides that leave may not be granted to a Government servant under suspension. [Ref: FR 55]
11. What is normally treated as the headquarters of a Government servant under suspension?
(a) His last place of duty
(b) His home town
(c) The headquarters of the inquiring authority
(d) Any place he chooses
Ans. (a) His last place of duty — Explanation: Government instructions treat the last place of duty as headquarters during suspension; he should not leave it without permission. [Ref: FR 53, Government of India decisions; DoPT OM dated 2.1.2014]
12. Can the headquarters of a suspended Government servant be changed?
(a) No, never during suspension
(b) Yes, by the Government servant himself by intimation
(c) Yes, by the competent authority in Government's interest, or on his request if no extra cost results
(d) Yes, but only by the President
Ans. (c) Yes, by the competent authority in Government's interest, or on his request if no extra cost results — Explanation: The competent authority may change the headquarters in the public interest, or on the employee's request if satisfied that it puts Government to no extra expenditure such as travelling allowance. [Ref: Government of India decisions under FR 53]
13. On reinstatement after suspension, what must the authority competent to order reinstatement do under FR 54-B(1)?
(a) Refer the matter to the UPSC
(b) Make a specific order on pay and allowances for the suspension period and whether it is to be treated as duty
(c) Leave the matter for the pension sanctioning authority
(d) Simply release the arrears of full pay in every case
Ans. (b) Make a specific order on pay and allowances for the suspension period and whether it is to be treated as duty — Explanation: FR 54-B(1) requires a specific order on both the pay and allowances for the period and its treatment as duty or otherwise. [Ref: FR 54-B(1)]
14. A Government servant dies while under suspension before the proceedings conclude. How is the suspension period treated under FR 54-B(2)?
(a) As extraordinary leave
(b) As duty for all purposes, with full pay and allowances paid to the family after adjusting subsistence allowance
(c) As duty only for pension, with no arrears
(d) As non-duty, with no further payment to the family
Ans. (b) As duty for all purposes, with full pay and allowances paid to the family after adjusting subsistence allowance — Explanation: FR 54-B(2) treats the period between suspension and death as duty for all purposes and provides for payment of full pay and allowances to the family. [Ref: FR 54-B(2)]
15. Where the competent authority holds that the suspension was wholly unjustified, what is the Government servant entitled to under FR 54-B?
(a) Half pay with the period treated as non-duty
(b) Only the subsistence allowance already paid
(c) Pay without dearness allowance
(d) Full pay and allowances for the suspension period, with the period treated as duty for all purposes
Ans. (d) Full pay and allowances for the suspension period, with the period treated as duty for all purposes — Explanation: FR 54-B provides full pay and allowances and treatment of the period as duty when the suspension is held wholly unjustified, subject to the proviso on delay attributable to him. [Ref: FR 54-B(3) and (4)]
16. Major penalty proceedings against a suspended Government servant end only in censure. According to Government instructions, how may the suspension be viewed?
(a) As fully justified, so that only subsistence allowance is admissible
(b) As extraordinary leave without pay
(c) As wholly unjustified, so that full pay and allowances are paid for the period
(d) As a period to be decided by the UPSC
Ans. (c) As wholly unjustified, so that full pay and allowances are paid for the period — Explanation: Government decisions under FR 54-B state that where major penalty proceedings end in a minor penalty, the suspension can be said to be wholly unjustified. [Ref: FR 54-B, Government of India decisions]
17. Where the suspension is not held wholly unjustified, how is the period of suspension treated under FR 54-B?
(a) Automatically as earned leave
(b) Automatically as duty for all purposes
(c) Not as duty, unless the competent authority specifically directs it to be so treated for any specified purpose
(d) As dies non in every case without option
Ans. (c) Not as duty, unless the competent authority specifically directs it to be so treated for any specified purpose — Explanation: FR 54-B provides that in such cases the period is not treated as duty unless specifically directed for a specified purpose. [Ref: FR 54-B(7)]
18. A reinstated Government servant whose suspension period is treated as non-duty wishes to avoid a break. What may the competent authority do on his request?
(a) Direct that the period be converted into leave of any kind due and admissible
(b) Grant special casual leave for the entire period
(c) Treat the period as duty without any order
(d) Nothing, as conversion is barred
Ans. (a) Direct that the period be converted into leave of any kind due and admissible — Explanation: The FR provisions allow the competent authority, if the Government servant so desires, to convert the non-duty period into leave of the kind due and admissible. [Ref: FR 54-B(7), proviso]
19. Under FR 54-B, the pay and allowances allowed for a period of suspension treated as non-duty cannot be less than what?
(a) One-third of the pay
(b) The minimum of the pay level
(c) Full pay and allowances
(d) The subsistence allowance and other allowances admissible under FR 53
Ans. (d) The subsistence allowance and other allowances admissible under FR 53 — Explanation: FR 54-B provides that the amount determined shall not be less than the subsistence and other allowances admissible under FR 53 of the Fundamental Rules. [Ref: FR 54-B]
20. A Government servant dismissed from service is reinstated in appeal and the appellate authority holds that he is fully exonerated. How is the intervening period treated under FR 54?
(a) He gets only subsistence allowance for the period
(b) He gets half pay and the period counts only for pension
(c) The period is treated as extraordinary leave
(d) He is paid full pay and allowances and the period is treated as duty for all purposes
Ans. (d) He is paid full pay and allowances and the period is treated as duty for all purposes — Explanation: FR 54 provides full pay and allowances and treatment as duty for all purposes where the Government servant is fully exonerated on reinstatement. [Ref: FR 54(2) and (3)]
21. A dismissal is set aside by a court on the merits of the case. How is the period of absence regulated under FR 54-A?
(a) Left to be decided by the UPSC
(b) Treated as duty for all purposes, with full pay and allowances, subject to the court's directions
(c) Treated as leave of the kind due
(d) Treated as non-duty with subsistence allowance only
Ans. (b) Treated as duty for all purposes, with full pay and allowances, subject to the court's directions — Explanation: FR 54-A provides that where the court sets aside the penalty on merits, the period is treated as duty and full pay and allowances are paid. [Ref: FR 54-A(3)]
22. A dismissal is set aside by a court solely for non-compliance with Article 311 and the Government servant is not exonerated on merits. How are his pay and allowances for the intervening period regulated under FR 54-A?
(a) He is always paid full pay and allowances
(b) He is paid only the subsistence allowance at the original rate
(c) He is paid such proportion as the competent authority determines after giving him notice
(d) He is paid nothing for the period
Ans. (c) He is paid such proportion as the competent authority determines after giving him notice — Explanation: FR 54-A(2) provides for payment of an amount, not being the whole, determined by the competent authority after notice and consideration of his representation. [Ref: FR 54-A(2)]
23. Consider the statements: (i) Leave may be granted to a Government servant under suspension. (ii) Subsistence allowance may be increased after the first three months if the prolongation of suspension is not attributable to him. Which is/are correct?
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (ii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
Ans. (b) Only (ii) — Explanation: FR 55 bars leave during suspension, while FR 53 allows an increase of up to fifty per cent in such cases. [Ref: FR 53 and FR 55]
24. Assertion (A): The family of a Government servant who dies while under suspension is paid full pay and allowances for the suspension period. Reason (R): FR 54-B treats the period between suspension and death as duty for all purposes.
(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. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A — Explanation: Because FR 54-B(2) treats the period as duty for all purposes, full pay and allowances become payable to the family, subject to adjustment. [Ref: FR 54-B(2)]
25. Consider the statements: (i) Dearness allowance during suspension is calculated on the subsistence allowance amount. (ii) Subsistence allowance is payable only after the employee certifies that he is not engaged in any other employment, business, profession or vocation. Which is/are correct?
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (ii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
Ans. (c) Both (i) and (ii) — Explanation: FR 53 links dearness allowance to the subsistence allowance and makes payment conditional on the FR 53(2) certificate. [Ref: FR 53(1) and 53(2)]
Want all 1,000 CCS (CCA) Rules questions in one PDF? The CCS (CCA) Rules ebook has all 40 sets with answers, explanations and quick-revision tables of time limits, penalties, suspension, appeals and case law. Launch offer: ₹99 MRP ₹200. Get the ebook
Next: Set 9. See all sets under the label CCS CCA Rules. For exam preparation, attempt the full set before checking answers and revise the topic of every question you miss.
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.