This is Set 10 of 42 in the smartvidya question bank on the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Part II: Relatives, politics, associations and strikes. This set covers Rule 5(1), 5(2) and 5(3).
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 10: Rule 5 – Politics: membership, family members and the Government's decision
1. Rule 5 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules deals with:
(a) Criticism of Government
(b) Joining of associations
(c) Demonstrations and strikes
(d) Taking part in politics and elections
Ans. (d) Taking part in politics and elections — Explanation: Rule 5 covers membership of political parties, political activity, family members' subversive activity and elections. Associations, strikes and criticism are in Rules 6, 7 and 9 respectively. [Ref: Rule 5]
2. Under Rule 5(1), a Government servant shall NOT be:
(a) A member of a co-operative society of Government servants
(b) A member of, or otherwise associated with, any political party or organisation which takes part in politics
(c) A member of a recognised service association
(d) A member of a registered sports club
Ans. (b) A member of, or otherwise associated with, any political party or organisation which takes part in politics — Explanation: Rule 5(1) bars membership of, or association with, political parties and organisations taking part in politics. Service associations, co-operatives and clubs are dealt with elsewhere. [Ref: Rule 5(1)]
3. Besides membership, what else does Rule 5(1) prohibit?
(a) Taking part in, subscribing in aid of, or assisting in any other manner any political movement or activity
(b) Voting in elections
(c) Reading political newspapers
(d) Discussing current affairs with family
Ans. (a) Taking part in, subscribing in aid of, or assisting in any other manner any political movement or activity — Explanation: Rule 5(1) also bars taking part in, subscribing to, or assisting any political movement or activity. Voting is permitted under Rule 5(4). [Ref: Rule 5(1)]
4. A Government servant makes a donation to a political party's election fund in cash. Which provision is breached?
(a) No rule, if the amount is small
(b) Rule 13, since it is a gift
(c) Rule 5(1), which bars subscribing in aid of any political movement or activity
(d) Rule 12, since it is a subscription
Ans. (c) Rule 5(1), which bars subscribing in aid of any political movement or activity — Explanation: Rule 5(1) forbids subscribing in aid of any political movement or activity, whatever the amount. [Ref: Rule 5(1)]
5. Under Rule 5(2), what is the duty of a Government servant regarding members of his family?
(a) To prevent them from joining any political party
(b) To report every political activity of theirs to the Government
(c) To endeavour to prevent them from taking part in any movement or activity subversive of the Government as by law established
(d) To prevent them from voting
Ans. (c) To endeavour to prevent them from taking part in any movement or activity subversive of the Government as by law established — Explanation: Rule 5(2) is limited to movements or activities which are, or tend directly or indirectly to be, subversive of the Government as by law established. Family members may otherwise take part in lawful politics. [Ref: Rule 5(2)]
6. A Government servant's wife joins a recognised political party and campaigns for it lawfully. Under Rule 5, the Government servant:
(a) Is not in breach, since Rule 5(2) concerns only subversive activity by family members
(b) Must obtain previous sanction
(c) Must report her membership to the Government
(d) Must resign from service
Ans. (a) Is not in breach, since Rule 5(2) concerns only subversive activity by family members — Explanation: Rule 5(2) is about activity subversive of the Government as by law established. Lawful political activity by a spouse is not covered, though the Government servant himself must not take part. [Ref: Rule 5(2)]
7. If a Government servant is unable to prevent a member of his family from taking part in subversive activity, what must he do under Rule 5(2)?
(a) Take no further action
(b) Resign from service
(c) Make a report to that effect to the Government
(d) Obtain previous sanction of the Government
Ans. (c) Make a report to that effect to the Government — Explanation: Where he is unable to prevent it, Rule 5(2) requires him to make a report to the Government. [Ref: Rule 5(2)]
8. Under Government instructions of 22.02.1956, reports under Rule 5(2) about family members' subversive activity should be sent:
(a) Directly to the Home Minister
(b) To the local police station only
(c) To the Election Commission
(d) Through the normal official channel
Ans. (d) Through the normal official channel — Explanation: The 1956 instructions say reports under Rule 5(2) are to be made through the normal channels. [Ref: Rule 5(2); GoI decision dt 22.02.1956]
9. Under Rule 5(3), who decides whether a party is a political party or whether an organisation takes part in politics?
(a) The Election Commission
(b) The Head of Department
(c) The Government, and its decision is final
(d) The courts only
Ans. (c) The Government, and its decision is final — Explanation: Rule 5(3) says that if any such question arises, the decision of the Government thereon shall be final. [Ref: Rule 5(3)]
10. Which questions are covered by the Government's final decision under Rule 5(3)?
(a) Whether a Government servant may vote
(b) Whether a Government servant may contest elections after retirement
(c) Whether a service association should be recognised
(d) Whether a party is political, whether an organisation takes part in politics, and whether an activity falls under Rule 5(2)
Ans. (d) Whether a party is political, whether an organisation takes part in politics, and whether an activity falls under Rule 5(2) — Explanation: Rule 5(3) covers three questions: whether a party is a political party, whether an organisation takes part in politics, and whether a movement or activity falls within Rule 5(2). [Ref: Rule 5(3)]
11. A Government servant says he did not know that the organisation he joined took part in politics. Under Government instructions of 17.09.1949:
(a) He is expected to verify the aims and activities of an organisation before joining, and ignorance is no defence
(b) He is protected if he resigns within a year
(c) The organisation, not the Government servant, is responsible
(d) Ignorance is a complete defence
Ans. (a) He is expected to verify the aims and activities of an organisation before joining, and ignorance is no defence — Explanation: The 1949 instructions require Government servants to satisfy themselves about the nature of an organisation before associating with it; later ignorance does not excuse a breach. [Ref: Rule 5(1); GoI decision dt 17.09.1949]
12. Which statement about Rule 5(1) is correct?
(a) It permits office-bearership in a political party if unpaid
(b) It applies only during elections
(c) It bars only membership of national political parties
(d) It bars association with any organisation which takes part in politics, not only registered political parties
Ans. (d) It bars association with any organisation which takes part in politics, not only registered political parties — Explanation: Rule 5(1) covers "any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics". An organisation need not be a registered party to be covered. [Ref: Rule 5(1)]
13. A Government servant designs posters for a political party's rally in his spare time without payment. Is this permitted?
(a) No, it is assisting a political movement or activity, barred by Rule 5(1)
(b) Yes, since it is done in spare time
(c) Yes, since he is not paid
(d) Yes, if he does not attend the rally
Ans. (a) No, it is assisting a political movement or activity, barred by Rule 5(1) — Explanation: Rule 5(1) bars assisting "in any other manner" any political movement or activity. Payment and timing are irrelevant. [Ref: Rule 5(1)]
14. The duty under Rule 5(2) extends to activity that is subversive of the Government as by law established:
(a) Directly or indirectly
(b) Only directly
(c) Only if violent
(d) Only if reported in the press
Ans. (a) Directly or indirectly — Explanation: Rule 5(2) covers any movement or activity which is, or tends directly or indirectly to be, subversive of the Government as by law established. [Ref: Rule 5(2)]
15. Under Rule 5(2), the Government servant's duty regarding family members is to:
(a) Seek police help against them
(b) Guarantee that they never take part in such activity
(c) Endeavour to prevent their participation in subversive activity
(d) Disown them publicly
Ans. (c) Endeavour to prevent their participation in subversive activity — Explanation: The word "endeavour" shows it is a duty to try. If he fails, he must report to the Government. [Ref: Rule 5(2)]
16. Consider these statements about Rule 5: 1. A Government servant may not be a member of a political party. 2. A Government servant must report if he cannot prevent a family member's subversive activity. 3. The Election Commission decides whether an organisation takes part in politics. Which are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (b) 1 and 2 only — Explanation: The first two statements restate Rule 5(1) and Rule 5(2). Under Rule 5(3) it is the Government, not the Election Commission, whose decision is final. [Ref: Rule 5(1)–(3)]
17. Instructions of 24.01.1957 under Rule 5 advised Government servants about which kind of bodies?
(a) Sports clubs, which they may join freely
(b) Indo-foreign cultural organisations, which they should avoid joining
(c) Charitable trusts, which they must report
(d) Recognised service associations, which they should join
Ans. (b) Indo-foreign cultural organisations, which they should avoid joining — Explanation: The 1957 instructions advise Government servants to keep away from Indo-foreign cultural organisations, which may have political links. [Ref: Rule 5; GoI decision dt 24.01.1957]
18. The GoI decision dated 11.07.1988 under Rule 5 relates to association of Government servants with:
(a) Sports bodies
(b) Socio-religious bodies
(c) Foreign book clubs
(d) Co-operative societies
Ans. (b) Socio-religious bodies — Explanation: The 1988 decision concerns association with socio-religious bodies whose activities may have political overtones. [Ref: Rule 5; GoI decision dt 11.07.1988]
19. A Government servant, as part of his duties, arranges vehicles and rest-house bookings for a Minister's official tour. Does this breach Rule 5?
(a) Only if the tour includes a party meeting
(b) Yes, unless he obtains previous sanction
(c) Yes, since the Minister belongs to a political party
(d) No, making arrangements for a Minister's tour in official duty is not taking part in politics
Ans. (d) No, making arrangements for a Minister's tour in official duty is not taking part in politics — Explanation: Instructions of 05.09.1951 clarify that arranging logistics for a Minister's tour as part of official duty is not a contravention of Rule 5 at all. [Ref: Rule 5; GoI decision dt 05.09.1951]
20. A Government servant's son is found to be an active member of an organisation working to overthrow the Government by violence. The Government servant tries to stop him but fails. He should:
(a) Say nothing, as it is a family matter
(b) Report the fact to the Government under Rule 5(2)
(c) Resign from his post
(d) Seek previous sanction to continue in service
Ans. (b) Report the fact to the Government under Rule 5(2) — Explanation: Rule 5(2) requires him to endeavour to prevent it and, if unable, to report to the Government. [Ref: Rule 5(2)]
21. Which rule gives the Government the final word on whether a particular organisation takes part in politics?
(a) Rule 23
(b) Rule 6
(c) Rule 5(3)
(d) Rule 24
Ans. (c) Rule 5(3) — Explanation: Rule 5(3) specifically deals with this question. Rule 23 is the general interpretation rule for the whole code. [Ref: Rule 5(3)]
22. Under Rule 5(1), a Government servant may not "subscribe in aid of" a political movement. This means he cannot:
(a) Contribute money or material to it
(b) Vote for its candidates
(c) Read its publications
(d) Hold private political views
Ans. (a) Contribute money or material to it — Explanation: Subscribing in aid of a movement means contributing money or material support. Holding views and voting are not barred. [Ref: Rule 5(1)]
23. The GoI decision of 18.07.1969 listed under Rule 5 relates to:
(a) Political neutrality of Government servants
(b) Lease of immovable property
(c) Sub-letting of Government accommodation
(d) Gifts from foreign dignitaries
Ans. (a) Political neutrality of Government servants — Explanation: The 1969 decision emphasises political neutrality, a principle later written into Rule 3(1)(vii). [Ref: Rule 5; GoI decision dt 18.07.1969]
24. Rule 5(1) and Rule 3(1)(vii) together emphasise:
(a) Loyalty to the ruling party
(b) Political neutrality of Government servants
(c) The right to contest local elections
(d) Freedom to campaign after office hours
Ans. (b) Political neutrality of Government servants — Explanation: Rule 3(1)(vii) requires political neutrality and Rule 5(1) gives it concrete form by barring membership of, and assistance to, political parties and activities. [Ref: Rule 5(1); Rule 3(1)(vii)]
25. The GoI decision dated 10.10.1949 under Rule 5 relates to:
(a) Canvassing for co-operative elections
(b) Receiving gifts on retirement
(c) Display of electoral symbols
(d) Attendance of Government servants at political meetings
Ans. (d) Attendance of Government servants at political meetings — Explanation: The 10.10.1949 decision deals with Government servants attending meetings, including occasional attendance. Electoral symbols, co-operative elections and gifts are covered elsewhere. [Ref: Rule 5; GoI decision dt 10.10.1949]
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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.