This is Set 12 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 6 (joining associations), Rule 7 (demonstrations, strikes, coercion) and GoI decisions on strikes, gheraos and demonstrations.
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 12: Rules 6 and 7 – Associations, demonstrations and strikes
1. Rule 6 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules deals with:
(a) Demonstrations and strikes
(b) Connection with press
(c) Criticism of Government
(d) Joining of associations by Government servants
Ans. (d) Joining of associations by Government servants — Explanation: Rule 6 bars joining or continuing membership of associations whose objects or activities are prejudicial to specified interests. [Ref: Rule 6]
2. Under Rule 6, a Government servant shall not join or continue to be a member of an association whose objects or activities are prejudicial to:
(a) The policy of his department
(b) The sovereignty and integrity of India, or public order or morality
(c) The interests of the ruling party
(d) The commercial interests of public sector undertakings
Ans. (b) The sovereignty and integrity of India, or public order or morality — Explanation: Rule 6 names the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order and morality. [Ref: Rule 6]
3. Rule 6 prohibits not only joining a prejudicial association but also:
(a) Having relatives who are members
(b) Continuing to be a member of it
(c) Being aware of its existence
(d) Reading its literature
Ans. (b) Continuing to be a member of it — Explanation: The rule covers joining "or continue to be a member of" such an association, so a Government servant must leave it once its character is known. [Ref: Rule 6]
4. Under Rule 7(i), a Government servant shall not engage or participate in any demonstration which is prejudicial to which of the following?
(a) The interests of any private company
(b) The service association's leaders
(c) The reputation of senior officers
(d) The sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality
Ans. (d) The sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality — Explanation: Rule 7(i) lists sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency and morality, and adds contempt of court, defamation and incitement to an offence. [Ref: Rule 7(i)]
5. Which of the following grounds, besides those relating to the State, make a demonstration prohibited under Rule 7(i)?
(a) It involves contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence
(b) It is held on a Sunday
(c) It is held by retired employees
(d) It is held without a loudspeaker
Ans. (a) It involves contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence — Explanation: Rule 7(i) also bars demonstrations which involve contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. [Ref: Rule 7(i)]
6. Rule 7(ii) prohibits a Government servant from resorting to or abetting which of the following?
(a) Any representation to superior officers
(b) Any form of strike or coercion or physical duress in connection with any matter pertaining to his service or that of any other Government servant
(c) Membership of recognised associations
(d) Signing a joint petition
Ans. (b) Any form of strike or coercion or physical duress in connection with any matter pertaining to his service or that of any other Government servant — Explanation: Rule 7(ii) forbids resorting to or abetting any form of strike, coercion or physical duress in connection with service matters of himself or of any other Government servant. [Ref: Rule 7(ii)]
7. Under the Government's clarification of 09.12.1966, "strike" under Rule 7 includes:
(a) Only strikes lasting more than one day
(b) Mass absence and go-slow tactics
(c) Only complete stoppage of work
(d) Only strikes called by unrecognised unions
Ans. (b) Mass absence and go-slow tactics — Explanation: The 1966 clarification gives "strike" a wide meaning, covering mass absence from work, go-slow and similar forms of concerted action. [Ref: Rule 7; GoI decision dt 09.12.1966]
8. Employees of an office apply for casual leave en masse on the same day to protest against a transfer policy. Under Rule 7 as interpreted by the Government:
(a) This is prohibited only for Group 'A' officers
(b) This is a form of strike and is prohibited
(c) This is permitted if the leave is sanctioned
(d) This is permitted, as casual leave is their right
Ans. (b) This is a form of strike and is prohibited — Explanation: Concerted mass absence, including mass casual leave, is treated as a strike under Rule 7(ii). [Ref: Rule 7(ii); GoI decision dt 09.12.1966]
9. Staff surround an officer in his room and do not let him leave until he accepts their demands. How is this treated under the Government's decision of 13.04.1967?
(a) As a gherao, amounting to coercion or physical duress prohibited by Rule 7(ii)
(b) As permitted if the demands are genuine
(c) As a legitimate peaceful demonstration
(d) As a matter only for the police
Ans. (a) As a gherao, amounting to coercion or physical duress prohibited by Rule 7(ii) — Explanation: Gheraos are treated as coercion and physical duress, barred by Rule 7(ii). [Ref: Rule 7(ii); GoI decision dt 13.04.1967]
10. The Government decision dated 09.03.1973 under Rule 7 concerns:
(a) Demonstrations in or near office premises
(b) Sub-letting of quarters
(c) Gifts from contractors
(d) Private foreign travel
Ans. (a) Demonstrations in or near office premises — Explanation: The 1973 decision deals with demonstrations inside or near office premises, which can disturb work and public order. [Ref: Rule 7; GoI decision dt 09.03.1973]
11. A peaceful demonstration by Government servants outside office hours about a service matter, with no disorder, defamation or incitement:
(a) Is not in itself barred by Rule 7(i), but any strike or coercion element is barred by Rule 7(ii)
(b) Is permitted only for Group 'A' officers
(c) Is always prohibited by Rule 7
(d) Needs previous sanction under Rule 7
Ans. (a) Is not in itself barred by Rule 7(i), but any strike or coercion element is barred by Rule 7(ii) — Explanation: Rule 7(i) bars demonstrations prejudicial to the listed interests or involving contempt, defamation or incitement. Rule 7(ii) separately bars strikes, coercion and physical duress. [Ref: Rule 7]
12. Under Rule 7(ii), a Government servant may not abet a strike in connection with service matters of:
(a) Only his own office
(b) Only his own cadre
(c) Himself or any other Government servant
(d) Only himself
Ans. (c) Himself or any other Government servant — Explanation: Rule 7(ii) covers matters pertaining to his service "or the service of any other Government servant", so sympathetic strikes are covered too. [Ref: Rule 7(ii)]
13. The Government decision of 25.01.1960 under Rule 7 advises that office-bearers of service associations should:
(a) Not deal with matters concerning their own association in their official capacity
(b) Be given special casual leave for all association work
(c) Be allowed to call strikes after notice
(d) Be exempt from Rule 7
Ans. (a) Not deal with matters concerning their own association in their official capacity — Explanation: The 1960 decision says office-bearers should not handle, in their official capacity, matters relating to their own association, to avoid conflicts of interest. [Ref: Rule 7; GoI decision dt 25.01.1960]
14. Which of the following is NOT prohibited by Rule 7?
(a) Submitting an individual written representation through proper channel
(b) A gherao of a superior officer
(c) A go-slow campaign
(d) A demonstration involving defamation of an officer
Ans. (a) Submitting an individual written representation through proper channel — Explanation: An individual representation through proper channel is the proper way to raise grievances. Go-slow, gherao and defamatory demonstrations are all barred. [Ref: Rule 7]
15. Consider these statements: 1. Rule 6 bars continued membership of an association prejudicial to public order. 2. Rule 7 bars abetting a strike. 3. Rule 7 bars all demonstrations whatever their nature. Which are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 2 only
Ans. (d) 1 and 2 only — Explanation: Rule 6 covers continued membership, and Rule 7(ii) covers abetment of strikes. Rule 7(i) bars only demonstrations of the kinds it lists, not all demonstrations. [Ref: Rules 6, 7]
16. A Government servant's association resolves that members will deliberately slow down the disposal of files until their demands are met. Under Rule 7 as clarified, this is:
(a) Always permitted
(b) A go-slow, which is a form of strike
(c) Permitted if the association is recognised
(d) Outside Rule 7, since no one is absent
Ans. (b) A go-slow, which is a form of strike — Explanation: The 1966 clarification treats go-slow as a form of strike. Nobody needs to be absent for concerted slowing of work to be a strike. [Ref: Rule 7(ii); GoI decision dt 09.12.1966]
17. A Government servant takes part in a demonstration that carries banners inciting violence against a community. Which clause of Rule 7 is breached?
(a) Only Rule 6
(b) Neither, if the demonstration is outside office hours
(c) Rule 7(i), since it involves incitement to an offence and is prejudicial to public order
(d) Rule 7(ii), since it is a strike
Ans. (c) Rule 7(i), since it involves incitement to an offence and is prejudicial to public order — Explanation: Rule 7(i) bars demonstrations prejudicial to public order or involving incitement to an offence, at any time. [Ref: Rule 7(i)]
18. Which rule would apply if a Government servant joined an association whose activities were prejudicial to morality?
(a) Rule 9
(b) Rule 5
(c) Rule 22
(d) Rule 6
Ans. (d) Rule 6 — Explanation: Rule 6 bars joining or continuing membership of associations whose objects or activities are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, public order or morality. [Ref: Rule 6]
19. Under the second proviso to Rule 1(3), which of these rules does NOT apply to low-paid non-gazetted industrial staff?
(a) Rule 5 on politics
(b) Rule 22 on intoxicants
(c) Rule 7 on demonstrations and strikes
(d) Rule 3 on general conduct
Ans. (c) Rule 7 on demonstrations and strikes — Explanation: Rules 6 and 7 are among the rules excluded for non-gazetted staff drawing up to Rs. 500 per mensem in specified industrial establishments. Rules 3, 5 and 22 still apply. [Ref: Rule 1(3), second proviso]
20. A demonstration is held in front of a foreign embassy by Government servants, with slogans that could harm relations with that country. Which clause is breached?
(a) Rule 7(i), since it is prejudicial to friendly relations with foreign States
(b) Rule 7(ii), since it concerns service matters
(c) No clause, if it is peaceful
(d) Rule 9(ii), since it concerns relations with States
Ans. (a) Rule 7(i), since it is prejudicial to friendly relations with foreign States — Explanation: Rule 7(i) expressly covers demonstrations prejudicial to friendly relations with foreign States, even if peaceful. [Ref: Rule 7(i)]
21. Rule 7(ii) mentions three forms of prohibited pressure. They are:
(a) Physical duress, prayer and fasting only
(b) Strike, petition and representation
(c) Strike, coercion and physical duress
(d) Coercion, complaint and appeal
Ans. (c) Strike, coercion and physical duress — Explanation: Rule 7(ii) bars any form of strike or coercion or physical duress in connection with service matters. [Ref: Rule 7(ii)]
22. Staff hold a sit-in blocking the entrance of the office so that officers cannot enter. How would this be treated?
(a) As permitted if done during lunch break
(b) As a matter under Rule 3A only
(c) As a permitted peaceful demonstration
(d) As coercion or physical duress under Rule 7(ii)
Ans. (d) As coercion or physical duress under Rule 7(ii) — Explanation: Blocking entry to press demands uses coercion and physical duress, barred by Rule 7(ii). [Ref: Rule 7(ii)]
23. What is the heading of Rule 7?
(a) Canvassing of non-official influence
(b) Public demonstrations in honour of Government servants
(c) Demonstration and strikes
(d) Joining of associations
Ans. (c) Demonstration and strikes — Explanation: Rule 7 is headed "Demonstration and strikes". Public demonstrations in honour of Government servants fall under Rule 14 instead. [Ref: Rule 7]
24. A Government servant does not personally strike but distributes pamphlets urging colleagues to do so. Is he in breach?
(a) No, pamphlets are free speech
(b) Only if the strike takes place
(c) Yes, Rule 7(ii) bars abetting a strike in any way
(d) No, only those who strike are in breach
Ans. (c) Yes, Rule 7(ii) bars abetting a strike in any way — Explanation: Rule 7(ii) says no Government servant shall "resort to or in any way abet" any form of strike. Urging others to strike is abetment. [Ref: Rule 7(ii)]
25. Which of these is an interest mentioned in BOTH Rule 6 and Rule 7(i)?
(a) Contempt of court
(b) Friendly relations with foreign States
(c) Security of the State
(d) Public order
Ans. (d) Public order — Explanation: Rule 6 names sovereignty and integrity of India, public order and morality. Rule 7(i) also names public order and morality, plus several others including foreign relations and security of the State. [Ref: Rules 6, 7(i)]
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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.