This is Set 13 of 42 in the smartvidya question bank on the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Part III: Media, criticism, evidence and information. This set covers Rule 8(1) previous sanction for owning, editing or managing media, 8(2) bona fide official duties, 8(3) views to be made clear as one's own.
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 13: Rule 8 – Connection with press or other media
1. Rule 8 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules deals with:
(a) Evidence before committees
(b) Connection with press or other media
(c) Criticism of Government
(d) Unauthorised communication of information
Ans. (b) Connection with press or other media — Explanation: Rule 8 governs ownership, editing and management of newspapers, periodicals and electronic media. Criticism of Government and evidence before committees fall under Rules 9 and 10 instead. [Ref: Rule 8]
2. Under Rule 8(1), what does a Government servant need before owning, wholly or in part, a newspaper?
(a) Previous sanction of the Government
(b) Nothing, if he is not paid
(c) Intimation within one month
(d) Previous knowledge of the Head of Office
Ans. (a) Previous sanction of the Government — Explanation: Rule 8(1) requires the previous sanction of the Government to own, conduct or participate in editing or management of a newspaper, periodical or electronic media. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
3. Which kinds of media are covered by Rule 8(1)?
(a) Newspapers, other periodical publications and electronic media
(b) Only television channels
(c) Only books
(d) Only daily newspapers
Ans. (a) Newspapers, other periodical publications and electronic media — Explanation: After amendment, Rule 8(1) covers any newspaper or other periodical publication or electronic media. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
4. Which activities in relation to a periodical need previous sanction under Rule 8(1)?
(a) Only subscribing to it
(b) Only writing letters to its editor
(c) Owning it wholly or in part, or conducting or participating in its editing or management
(d) Only owning it wholly
Ans. (c) Owning it wholly or in part, or conducting or participating in its editing or management — Explanation: Rule 8(1) covers ownership (whole or part), and conducting or participating in editing or management. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
5. A Government servant wants to become a part-owner of a local news channel that his brother runs. What does he need?
(a) Previous sanction of the Government under Rule 8(1)
(b) Nothing, since his brother runs it
(c) Previous knowledge of the prescribed authority under Rule 18(2)
(d) Only an intimation under Rule 15(3)
Ans. (a) Previous sanction of the Government under Rule 8(1) — Explanation: Owning electronic media wholly or in part needs previous sanction of the Government, whoever runs it. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
6. Under Rule 8(2), which situation is excluded from the requirement of previous sanction?
(a) Owning shares in a media company
(b) Publishing a book or participating in a public media in the bona fide discharge of official duties
(c) Managing a newspaper owned by a relative
(d) Editing a private magazine as a hobby
Ans. (b) Publishing a book or participating in a public media in the bona fide discharge of official duties — Explanation: Rule 8(2) says sub-rule (1) does not apply where a Government servant, in the bona fide discharge of his official duties, publishes a book or participates in a public media. [Ref: Rule 8(2)]
7. What must a Government servant publishing a book or participating in a public media do under Rule 8(3)?
(a) Donate the royalty to the Government
(b) Get every sentence approved by the Ministry
(c) Make it clear at all times that the views expressed are his own and not those of the Government
(d) Publish under a pen name
Ans. (c) Make it clear at all times that the views expressed are his own and not those of the Government — Explanation: Rule 8(3) requires him to make clear at all times that the views expressed by him are his own and not those of the Government. [Ref: Rule 8(3)]
8. A Government servant who is invited to a TV panel on a subject related to his department, as part of his duties, participates. Which is correct?
(a) He needs no sanction under Rule 8(1), but must make clear that his views are his own
(b) He cannot speak at all on TV
(c) He needs previous sanction under Rule 8(1)
(d) He needs sanction of the President
Ans. (a) He needs no sanction under Rule 8(1), but must make clear that his views are his own — Explanation: Rule 8(2) excludes participation in public media in the bona fide discharge of official duties from Rule 8(1). Rule 8(3) still requires him to make clear the views are his own. [Ref: Rule 8(2), (3)]
9. A Government servant agrees to be the honorary editor of a monthly magazine of his residents' welfare association. Does Rule 8(1) apply?
(a) Yes, editing a periodical publication needs previous sanction of the Government, even if honorary
(b) No, since it is honorary social work
(c) No, since the magazine is not sold
(d) Only if the magazine carries advertisements
Ans. (a) Yes, editing a periodical publication needs previous sanction of the Government, even if honorary — Explanation: Rule 8(1) covers participating in the editing of any periodical publication. Being honorary does not remove the need for previous sanction. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
10. A Government servant occasionally writes articles on astronomy in a newspaper. Which provision mainly governs this?
(a) Rule 10, on evidence
(b) Rule 15(2)(b), occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character, subject to Rule 9
(c) Rule 8(1), requiring sanction to own a newspaper
(d) Rule 18, on property
Ans. (b) Rule 15(2)(b), occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character, subject to Rule 9 — Explanation: Writing occasional articles is not owning, editing or managing a newspaper. It is occasional literary or scientific work permitted without sanction under Rule 15(2)(b), but its content must still respect Rule 9 on criticism of Government. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(b); Rule 9]
11. Which rule requires previous sanction to "conduct" a periodical publication?
(a) Rule 9
(b) Rule 15(2)
(c) Rule 8(1)
(d) Rule 11
Ans. (c) Rule 8(1) — Explanation: Rule 8(1) covers owning, conducting or participating in editing or management of a newspaper, periodical or electronic media. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
12. Consider these statements about Rule 8: 1. Owning part of a newspaper needs previous sanction. 2. Participating in a public media in bona fide official duty needs no sanction under Rule 8(1). 3. A Government servant writing in public media may present his views as the Government's views. Which are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 2 only
Ans. (d) 1 and 2 only — Explanation: The first two statements restate Rule 8(1) and 8(2). Rule 8(3) requires him to make it clear that the views are his own and not those of the Government. [Ref: Rule 8]
13. Who grants the previous sanction required under Rule 8(1)?
(a) The Press Council of India
(b) The Head of Office
(c) The Registrar of Newspapers
(d) The Government
Ans. (d) The Government — Explanation: The rule requires "the previous sanction of the Government". Registration of newspapers is a separate legal requirement, not a Conduct Rule sanction. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
14. A Government servant sets up and manages a YouTube news channel that regularly publishes current affairs content. Which rule is directly attracted?
(a) Rule 13, on gifts
(b) Rule 8(1), since managing electronic media needs previous sanction
(c) Rule 12, on subscriptions
(d) Rule 22, on intoxicants
Ans. (b) Rule 8(1), since managing electronic media needs previous sanction — Explanation: Electronic media is covered by Rule 8(1). Owning or managing a news channel needs previous sanction, and if it earns income, Rule 15 on private trade is also relevant. [Ref: Rule 8(1); Rule 15]
15. Rule 8(3) applies to which Government servants?
(a) Only Group 'A' officers
(b) Any Government servant publishing a book or participating in a public media
(c) Only those on deputation
(d) Only those who own newspapers
Ans. (b) Any Government servant publishing a book or participating in a public media — Explanation: Rule 8(3) is general: a Government servant publishing a book or participating in a public media must make clear that his views are his own. [Ref: Rule 8(3)]
16. A Government servant writes a book on history in his spare time and a publisher pays him royalty. Which rules are relevant?
(a) No rule, as books are outside the Conduct Rules
(b) Rule 18(2) only, on property
(c) Rule 8(1) only, requiring sanction to own a newspaper
(d) Rule 15(2)(b) on occasional literary work, Rule 8(3) on stating his views are his own, and Rule 9 on content
Ans. (d) Rule 15(2)(b) on occasional literary work, Rule 8(3) on stating his views are his own, and Rule 9 on content — Explanation: Writing a book is literary work. The Government servant must make clear the views are his own and must not criticise Government policy in breach of Rule 9; acceptance of fee is governed by Rule 15(4). [Ref: Rules 8(3), 9, 15(2)(b), 15(4)]
17. Under Rule 8, which requires previous sanction?
(a) Reading newspapers in office
(b) Writing a letter to the editor on a civic issue that does not criticise Government
(c) Participating in the management of a monthly trade journal
(d) Giving a lecture as part of official training duties
Ans. (c) Participating in the management of a monthly trade journal — Explanation: Participation in management of a periodical needs previous sanction under Rule 8(1). The others do not attract Rule 8(1), though letters to the editor must still comply with Rule 9 on criticism. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
18. Why was "electronic media" added to Rule 8(1)?
(a) To extend the sanction requirement beyond print to broadcast and digital media
(b) To let Government servants run channels without sanction
(c) To regulate only official Government channels
(d) To ban Government servants from watching television
Ans. (a) To extend the sanction requirement beyond print to broadcast and digital media — Explanation: By adding electronic media, the rule now covers owning, editing or managing broadcast and digital media, not just newspapers and periodicals. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
19. A Government servant's wife owns a weekly newspaper. The Government servant writes its editorials every week. Which rule has he breached?
(a) Rule 4(1) only
(b) Rule 15(3) only
(c) Rule 8(1), by participating in the editing without previous sanction
(d) No rule, since his wife owns it
Ans. (c) Rule 8(1), by participating in the editing without previous sanction — Explanation: Rule 8(1) applies to participation in editing, irrespective of who owns the periodical. Rule 15(3) would additionally require him to report his wife's business. [Ref: Rule 8(1); Rule 15(3)]
20. Which statement about Rule 8(2) is correct?
(a) It allows any Government servant to own a newspaper
(b) It allows editing of periodicals for charitable purposes
(c) It is limited to bona fide discharge of official duties
(d) It applies only to Government-owned media
Ans. (c) It is limited to bona fide discharge of official duties — Explanation: The exclusion applies only where the book is published or the media participation is in the bona fide discharge of official duties. [Ref: Rule 8(2)]
21. A Joint Secretary gives a TV interview explaining a new scheme at the direction of his Ministry. Which rule relieves him of the need for sanction?
(a) Rule 15(2)(a)
(b) Rule 8(2)
(c) Rule 8(1)
(d) Rule 10(3)
Ans. (b) Rule 8(2) — Explanation: Participating in public media in the bona fide discharge of official duties is excluded from Rule 8(1) by Rule 8(2). [Ref: Rule 8(2)]
22. If a Government servant runs a blog carrying his own essays but not news, which duty still applies to him even if Rule 8(1) is not attracted?
(a) To register the blog with the Press Council
(b) To report the blog under Rule 18
(c) To obtain sanction under Rule 12
(d) Not to make statements of adverse criticism of Government policy, under Rule 9
Ans. (d) Not to make statements of adverse criticism of Government policy, under Rule 9 — Explanation: Whatever the medium, Rule 9 bars statements that adversely criticise current or recent Government policy or embarrass relations with States or foreign countries. [Ref: Rule 9]
23. The previous sanction under Rule 8(1) is needed even when the Government servant owns:
(a) Only a part of the newspaper
(b) Only a subscription
(c) No share at all but reads it
(d) Only advertisements in it
Ans. (a) Only a part of the newspaper — Explanation: Rule 8(1) covers owning "wholly or in part". Part-ownership also needs previous sanction. [Ref: Rule 8(1)]
24. Rule 8(3) requires the Government servant to disclaim that his views are the Government's:
(a) Only when writing on policy matters
(b) Only when the Head of Office asks
(c) Only in books, not in media
(d) At all times
Ans. (d) At all times — Explanation: Rule 8(3) uses the words "at all times". The disclaimer applies to both books and public media. [Ref: Rule 8(3)]
25. Which pair of rules together govern (1) running a newspaper and (2) what a Government servant may say in public?
(a) Rule 16 and Rule 17
(b) Rule 21 and Rule 22
(c) Rule 12 and Rule 13
(d) Rule 8 and Rule 9
Ans. (d) Rule 8 and Rule 9 — Explanation: Rule 8 governs connection with press or other media, and Rule 9 governs criticism of Government in any medium. [Ref: Rules 8, 9]
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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.