This is Set 3 of 42 in the smartvidya question bank on the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Part I: General conduct and core values. This set covers Rule 3(1)(i)–(xi): the original three duties and the first eight values added in 2014.
Try each question first, then tap Show answer to see the correct option, a short explanation and the rule reference. The gift limits in Rule 13(3) are as revised in 2019, and share-trading intimation follows the DoPT OM of 07.02.2019.
Set 3: Rule 3(1) – Integrity, duty and core values (clauses i to xi)
1. Rule 3(1) requires every Government servant to observe its standards:
(a) Only during office hours
(b) Only while on duty or on tour
(c) At all times
(d) Only in matters relating to his official work
Ans. (c) At all times — Explanation: Rule 3(1) opens with "Every Government servant shall at all times", so the duties apply on and off duty. [Ref: Rule 3(1)]
2. Which three duties formed the original Rule 3(1), before the list was expanded in 2014?
(a) Absolute integrity, devotion to duty, and doing nothing unbecoming of a Government servant
(b) Integrity, confidentiality and punctuality
(c) Political neutrality, impartiality and courtesy
(d) Honesty, loyalty to the Constitution and obedience to superiors
Ans. (a) Absolute integrity, devotion to duty, and doing nothing unbecoming of a Government servant — Explanation: Clauses (i) to (iii) are the original three: maintain absolute integrity, maintain devotion to duty, and do nothing which is unbecoming of a Government servant. Clauses (iv) to (xxi) were added in 2014. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(i)–(iii)]
3. Rule 3(1)(i) requires every Government servant to maintain:
(a) Absolute integrity
(b) Reasonable integrity
(c) Integrity as certified by the vigilance officer
(d) Integrity in financial matters only
Ans. (a) Absolute integrity — Explanation: The standard is "absolute integrity". It is not limited to money matters or to office hours. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(i)]
4. How many clauses does Rule 3(1) contain after the 2014 amendment?
(a) 18
(b) 3
(c) 21
(d) 15
Ans. (c) 21 — Explanation: The 2014 amendment inserted clauses (iv) to (xxi), taking the total to twenty-one clauses. [Ref: Rule 3(1)]
5. In which year were clauses (iv) to (xxi) inserted in Rule 3(1)?
(a) 2005
(b) 2019
(c) 2014
(d) 1998
Ans. (c) 2014 — Explanation: The expanded list of values, from commitment to the Constitution to professionalism and dedication, was added by the 2014 amendment to the Conduct Rules. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(iv)–(xxi)]
6. "Commit himself to and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values" is which clause of Rule 3(1)?
(a) Clause (iv)
(b) Clause (i)
(c) Clause (xxi)
(d) Clause (vii)
Ans. (a) Clause (iv) — Explanation: Clause (iv), the first of the clauses added in 2014, is about commitment to the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(iv)]
7. Rule 3(1)(v) requires a Government servant to defend and uphold which of the following?
(a) The interests of his service association
(b) The decisions of his Head of Department, whether lawful or not
(c) The policies of the ruling party
(d) The sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency and morality
Ans. (d) The sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency and morality — Explanation: Clause (v) lists the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency and morality. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(v)]
8. Which clause of Rule 3(1) requires a Government servant to "maintain high ethical standards and honesty"?
(a) Clause (ii)
(b) Clause (xiv)
(c) Clause (ix)
(d) Clause (vi)
Ans. (d) Clause (vi) — Explanation: Clause (vi) deals with high ethical standards and honesty. Clause (ii) is devotion to duty and clause (ix) is accountability and transparency. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(vi)]
9. "Maintain political neutrality" appears as which clause of Rule 3(1)?
(a) Clause (xii)
(b) Clause (v)
(c) Clause (xvii)
(d) Clause (vii)
Ans. (d) Clause (vii) — Explanation: Clause (vii) requires political neutrality. Rule 5 separately bars taking part in politics and elections. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(vii)]
10. Rule 3(1)(viii) asks the Government servant to promote which principles in the discharge of duties?
(a) Secrecy, speed and simplicity
(b) Economy, efficiency and effectiveness
(c) Seniority, loyalty and discipline
(d) Merit, fairness and impartiality
Ans. (d) Merit, fairness and impartiality — Explanation: Clause (viii) reads "promote the principles of merit, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of duties". Economy and efficiency in the use of public resources appear in clause (xii). [Ref: Rule 3(1)(viii)]
11. Which pair of values is placed together in Rule 3(1)(ix)?
(a) Accountability and transparency
(b) Courtesy and good behaviour
(c) Integrity and devotion to duty
(d) Discipline and obedience
Ans. (a) Accountability and transparency — Explanation: Clause (ix) requires a Government servant to maintain accountability and transparency. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(ix)]
12. Rule 3(1)(x) requires responsiveness to the public, "particularly to" whom?
(a) Taxpayers
(b) Elected representatives
(c) The weaker section
(d) Senior citizens only
Ans. (c) The weaker section — Explanation: Clause (x) reads "maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section". [Ref: Rule 3(1)(x)]
13. A Government servant treats visitors rudely at a public counter. Which clause of Rule 3(1) is most directly breached?
(a) Clause (vii), maintain political neutrality
(b) Clause (xi), maintain courtesy and good behaviour with the public
(c) Clause (i), maintain absolute integrity
(d) Clause (xx), maintain confidentiality
Ans. (b) Clause (xi), maintain courtesy and good behaviour with the public — Explanation: Clause (xi) requires courtesy and good behaviour with the public. Rudeness in official work would also attract Rule 3A, which bars discourteous conduct. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(xi); Rule 3A]
14. Which of the following is NOT one of the clauses of Rule 3(1)?
(a) Maintain accountability and transparency
(b) Maintain loyalty to the political executive of the day
(c) Maintain political neutrality
(d) Maintain devotion to duty
Ans. (b) Maintain loyalty to the political executive of the day — Explanation: Rule 3(1) asks for political neutrality and commitment to the Constitution, not loyalty to any political executive. Devotion to duty, political neutrality and accountability are all listed. [Ref: Rule 3(1)]
15. An officer repeatedly delays files and submits poor-quality work well past deadlines. Under Rule 3, he is deemed to lack:
(a) Absolute integrity
(b) Political neutrality
(c) Courtesy to the public
(d) Devotion to duty
Ans. (d) Devotion to duty — Explanation: Explanation I to Rule 3 deems a Government servant who habitually fails to perform the assigned task within the set time and with the expected quality to be lacking in devotion to duty under Rule 3(1)(ii). [Ref: Rule 3(1)(ii); Explanation I]
16. Clause (iii) of Rule 3(1) forbids a Government servant from doing anything:
(a) Which is unbecoming of a Government servant
(b) Which his superior has not approved in writing
(c) Which is not specifically permitted by the rules
(d) Which is against the interests of his service association
Ans. (a) Which is unbecoming of a Government servant — Explanation: Clause (iii) is the broad duty to do nothing unbecoming of a Government servant. It covers conduct not listed elsewhere, including conduct in private life that brings discredit. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(iii)]
17. Which statement about the scope of "unbecoming conduct" under Rule 3(1)(iii) is correct?
(a) It covers only acts done during office hours
(b) It can cover private conduct that reflects badly on the Government servant, even if no specific rule is breached
(c) It is limited to financial misconduct
(d) It applies only to gazetted officers
Ans. (b) It can cover private conduct that reflects badly on the Government servant, even if no specific rule is breached — Explanation: Because Rule 3(1) applies "at all times", conduct unbecoming of a Government servant can include private behaviour. The Government has, for example, treated failure to maintain one's family as unbecoming conduct. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(iii)]
18. Consider these clauses of Rule 3(1): 1. Maintain political neutrality. 2. Maintain responsiveness to the public, particularly to the weaker section. 3. Maintain membership of a recognised service association. Which are part of Rule 3(1)?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Ans. (b) 1 and 2 only — Explanation: Political neutrality and responsiveness to the weaker section are clauses (vii) and (x). Nothing in Rule 3(1) requires membership of any association. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(vii), (x)]
19. A Government servant takes part in activity aimed at undermining public order in his district. Apart from other rules, which clause of Rule 3(1) does this directly violate?
(a) Clause (viii), on merit and fairness
(b) Clause (v), on upholding the security of the State and public order
(c) Clause (xix), on implementing lawful orders
(d) Clause (xxi), on professionalism
Ans. (b) Clause (v), on upholding the security of the State and public order — Explanation: Clause (v) requires the Government servant to defend and uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, public order, decency and morality. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(v)]
20. The standard of integrity expected under Rule 3(1)(i) is described by which word?
(a) Absolute
(b) Substantial
(c) Reasonable
(d) Adequate
Ans. (a) Absolute — Explanation: The rule uses the word "absolute". Even a small lapse in integrity is a breach; there is no "reasonable" or partial standard. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(i)]
21. Which of these clauses of Rule 3(1) existed BEFORE the 2014 amendment?
(a) Maintain political neutrality
(b) Maintain high ethical standards and honesty
(c) Maintain accountability and transparency
(d) Maintain devotion to duty
Ans. (d) Maintain devotion to duty — Explanation: Devotion to duty is clause (ii), one of the original three. Accountability, political neutrality and ethical standards are among the clauses inserted in 2014. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(ii)]
22. A Government servant gives priority to applications from well-connected persons and makes poor applicants wait. Which set of Rule 3(1) values does this breach?
(a) Responsiveness to the weaker section, and merit, fairness and impartiality
(b) Absolute integrity and discipline only
(c) Political neutrality and confidentiality
(d) Supremacy of the Constitution and professionalism
Ans. (a) Responsiveness to the weaker section, and merit, fairness and impartiality — Explanation: Clause (x) calls for responsiveness to the public, particularly the weaker section, and clause (viii) for merit, fairness and impartiality. Clause (xvii), against discrimination against the poor, would also apply. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(viii), (x), (xvii)]
23. Why is Rule 3(1)(iii), "do nothing unbecoming of a Government servant", often called a residuary provision?
(a) Because it deals only with residential conduct
(b) Because it can be invoked only by the President
(c) Because it can cover misconduct that is not specifically listed in any other rule
(d) Because it applies only after retirement
Ans. (c) Because it can cover misconduct that is not specifically listed in any other rule — Explanation: Misconduct cannot be listed exhaustively. Clause (iii) lets the disciplinary authority act on conduct that is plainly improper even where no specific rule names it. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(iii)]
24. Which clause of Rule 3(1) most directly supports a citizen's expectation that a Government office will explain its decisions and publish information?
(a) Clause (v), uphold public order
(b) Clause (vii), maintain political neutrality
(c) Clause (ix), maintain accountability and transparency
(d) Clause (ii), maintain devotion to duty
Ans. (c) Clause (ix), maintain accountability and transparency — Explanation: Accountability and transparency in clause (ix) cover explaining decisions and openness. Disclosure is also governed by the Right to Information Act, referred to in Rule 11 as well. [Ref: Rule 3(1)(ix)]
25. Which of the following correctly matches a Rule 3(1) clause with its content?
(a) Clause (i) – courtesy and good behaviour with the public
(b) Clause (iv) – supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values
(c) Clause (vii) – high ethical standards and honesty
(d) Clause (xi) – absolute integrity
Ans. (b) Clause (iv) – supremacy of the Constitution and democratic values — Explanation: Clause (iv) deals with the Constitution and democratic values. Absolute integrity is clause (i), courtesy is clause (xi), and ethical standards and honesty are clause (vi). [Ref: Rule 3(1)]
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These questions are prepared for practice from the text of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and related Government of India instructions. Always check the latest DoPT orders before relying on any point for official decisions.