This is Set 21 of 42 in the smartvidya question bank on the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Part V: Private trade, employment and accommodation. This set covers Rule 15(1)(a)–(f): trade or business, other employment, elective office, canvassing for family agencies, companies and co-operatives, and media programmes.
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 21: Rule 15(1) – Private trade, employment, elective office and media
1. Rule 15 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules deals with:
(a) Private trade or employment
(b) Subscriptions
(c) Gifts
(d) Investment, lending and borrowing
Ans. (a) Private trade or employment — Explanation: Rule 15 governs trade, business, other employment, elective office, company and co-operative work, media programmes, and acceptance of fees. [Ref: Rule 15]
2. Under Rule 15(1)(a), a Government servant needs previous sanction of the Government to:
(a) Engage directly or indirectly in any trade or business
(b) Open a savings bank account
(c) Buy units of a mutual fund occasionally
(d) Buy groceries for his household
Ans. (a) Engage directly or indirectly in any trade or business — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(a) bars engaging directly or indirectly in any trade or business without previous sanction of the Government. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(a)]
3. Rule 15(1)(b) requires previous sanction to:
(a) Apply for promotion within his own department
(b) Apply for leave
(c) Negotiate for, or undertake, any other employment
(d) Accept a transfer
Ans. (c) Negotiate for, or undertake, any other employment — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(b) covers both negotiating for and undertaking any other employment. Even negotiations need sanction. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(b)]
4. A Government servant, while in service, discusses terms of a future job with a private company. Which provision applies?
(a) Rule 18(3), on movable property
(b) Rule 15(1)(b), which requires previous sanction even to negotiate for other employment
(c) No provision, since he has not joined the company
(d) Rule 15(2)(b), on occasional work
Ans. (b) Rule 15(1)(b), which requires previous sanction even to negotiate for other employment — Explanation: Negotiating for other employment needs previous sanction. Government instructions of 08.02.1966 specifically require prior permission before negotiating commercial employment. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(b); GoI decision dt 08.02.1966]
5. Under Rule 15(1)(c), previous sanction is required to hold an elective office in:
(a) Any body, whether incorporated or not
(b) Only incorporated companies
(c) Only political parties
(d) Only foreign organisations
Ans. (a) Any body, whether incorporated or not — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(c) covers holding an elective office, or canvassing for a candidate for an elective office, in any body whether incorporated or not. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(c)]
6. A Government servant wants to contest for the post of Secretary of his housing society's managing committee. What does Rule 15(1)(c) require?
(a) Previous sanction of the Government, as it is an elective office in a body
(b) Only a report within one month
(c) Sanction only if the post is paid
(d) Nothing, since it is a housing society
Ans. (a) Previous sanction of the Government, as it is an elective office in a body — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(c) requires previous sanction to hold any elective office in any body, whether incorporated or not. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(c)]
7. Canvassing for a candidate for an elective office in a club, without sanction, breaches which rule?
(a) Rule 15(3)
(b) Rule 15(1)(c)
(c) Rule 5(4)
(d) Rule 20
Ans. (b) Rule 15(1)(c) — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(c) covers canvassing for candidates for elective office in any body. Rule 5(4) is limited to elections to legislatures and local authorities. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(c)]
8. Under Rule 15(1)(d), a Government servant needs previous sanction to canvass in support of:
(a) A candidate in a legislative election
(b) Any Government scheme
(c) Any business of insurance agency, commission agency, etc. owned or managed by any member of his family
(d) A charity run by a stranger
Ans. (c) Any business of insurance agency, commission agency, etc. owned or managed by any member of his family — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(d) covers canvassing for insurance or commission agency business owned or managed by a member of his family. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(d)]
9. A Government servant's wife is an insurance agent, and he persuades his colleagues to buy policies from her. Which rule is breached?
(a) Rule 16(1)
(b) Rule 13(1)
(c) Rule 15(3)
(d) Rule 15(1)(d)
Ans. (d) Rule 15(1)(d) — Explanation: Canvassing in support of a family member's insurance agency without previous sanction breaches Rule 15(1)(d). He must also report her agency under Rule 15(3). [Ref: Rule 15(1)(d); Rule 15(3)]
10. Rule 15(1)(e) bars taking part, except in official duties, in the registration, promotion or management of which bodies?
(a) Any sports club
(b) Any bank or other company registered under the Companies Act or any other law, or any co-operative society for commercial purposes
(c) Any co-operative society of Government servants
(d) Any literary or charitable society
Ans. (b) Any bank or other company registered under the Companies Act or any other law, or any co-operative society for commercial purposes — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(e) covers banks, companies and commercial co-operative societies. Literary, charitable, sports and employee co-operatives fall under Rule 15(2). [Ref: Rule 15(1)(e)]
11. A Government servant helps promote and register a private limited company that his friends are starting. What is the position?
(a) He needs only to report under Rule 15(3)
(b) He needs previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(e)
(c) No sanction is needed if he is unpaid
(d) No sanction is needed, since he holds no shares
Ans. (b) He needs previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(e) — Explanation: Taking part in the registration or promotion of any company needs previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(e), except in the discharge of official duties. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(e)]
12. Under Rule 15(1)(e), participation in company management is permitted without sanction when:
(a) It is in the discharge of his official duties
(b) The company is small
(c) The company is not listed
(d) The company is owned by his family
Ans. (a) It is in the discharge of his official duties — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(e) excludes participation "in the discharge of his official duties", such as when a Government servant is nominated to a board by the Government. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(e)]
13. Rule 15(1)(f) requires previous sanction to participate in the making of which of the following?
(a) A sponsored media (radio or television) programme
(b) An official Doordarshan programme in his official capacity
(c) A departmental training video made by his office
(d) A news interview given as official spokesperson
Ans. (a) A sponsored media (radio or television) programme — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(f) covers sponsored media programmes, programmes commissioned by Government media but produced by private agencies, and privately produced programmes including video magazines. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(f)]
14. Which of the following is expressly covered by Rule 15(1)(f)?
(a) A lecture at a training institute
(b) A book review
(c) A privately produced media programme including a video magazine
(d) A letter to the editor
Ans. (c) A privately produced media programme including a video magazine — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(f)(iii) covers privately produced media programmes, including video magazines. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(f)]
15. Under the proviso to Rule 15(1)(f), no previous permission is needed when a Government servant:
(a) Participates in any programme on a holiday
(b) Participates in a private channel's talk show without payment
(c) Produces his own video magazine
(d) Participates in a programme produced or commissioned by Government media in his official capacity
Ans. (d) Participates in a programme produced or commissioned by Government media in his official capacity — Explanation: The proviso exempts participation in programmes produced or commissioned by Government media when the Government servant participates in his official capacity. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(f), proviso]
16. A media programme commissioned by Government media but produced by a private agency is covered by:
(a) Rule 15(2)(b), as occasional artistic work
(b) No rule
(c) Rule 15(1)(f), requiring previous sanction unless in official capacity
(d) Rule 8(2), which exempts all Government media programmes
Ans. (c) Rule 15(1)(f), requiring previous sanction unless in official capacity — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(f)(ii) expressly covers programmes commissioned by Government media but produced by a private agency. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(f)(ii)]
17. Consider these statements about Rule 15(1): 1. Negotiating for other employment needs previous sanction. 2. Holding an elective office in an unincorporated body needs previous sanction. 3. Engaging indirectly in business needs no sanction. Which are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2 only
Ans. (d) 1 and 2 only — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(b) covers negotiating for employment and Rule 15(1)(c) covers any body whether incorporated or not. Rule 15(1)(a) covers business engaged in directly or indirectly. [Ref: Rule 15(1)]
18. A Government servant runs a shop in his wife's name, managing it himself after office hours. Which rule is breached?
(a) Only Rule 15(3)
(b) Rule 15(1)(a), since he engages indirectly in business without sanction
(c) No rule, since the shop is in his wife's name
(d) Only Rule 18(2)
Ans. (b) Rule 15(1)(a), since he engages indirectly in business without sanction — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(a) covers trade or business engaged in "directly or indirectly". Running a business through the spouse's name is indirect engagement. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(a)]
19. Rule 15(1) is expressly made subject to which provision?
(a) Rule 24
(b) Rule 16(1)
(c) Rule 15(2)
(d) Rule 18(1)
Ans. (c) Rule 15(2) — Explanation: Rule 15(1) opens with "Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (2)", so activities listed in Rule 15(2) need no previous sanction. [Ref: Rule 15(1)]
20. A Government servant is offered a part-time evening job as an accountant in a private firm. Which rule requires previous sanction?
(a) Rule 15(2)(b), on occasional literary work
(b) Rule 16(4), on lending
(c) Rule 12, on subscriptions
(d) Rule 15(1)(b), on undertaking any other employment
Ans. (d) Rule 15(1)(b), on undertaking any other employment — Explanation: A part-time job is "other employment" needing previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(b). The Government has long discouraged part-time employment by its servants. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(b)]
21. Which body is NOT covered by Rule 15(1)(e)?
(a) A commercial co-operative society
(b) A bank registered under the Companies Act
(c) A private limited company
(d) A co-operative society substantially for the benefit of Government servants
Ans. (d) A co-operative society substantially for the benefit of Government servants — Explanation: Employee co-operatives are covered by Rule 15(2)(e), which permits participation without sanction if no elective office is held. Banks, companies and commercial co-operatives fall under Rule 15(1)(e). [Ref: Rule 15(1)(e); Rule 15(2)(e)]
22. The sanction required under Rule 15(1) is that of:
(a) The prescribed authority
(b) The Head of Office
(c) The Government
(d) The Registrar of Societies
Ans. (c) The Government — Explanation: Rule 15(1) requires the previous sanction of the Government. Rule 15(4), on fees, refers to the prescribed authority instead. [Ref: Rule 15(1)]
23. A Government servant is elected to the board of directors of a commercial co-operative bank without seeking permission. Which clauses of Rule 15(1) are breached?
(a) Only Rule 15(3)
(b) Rule 15(1)(c) on elective office and Rule 15(1)(e) on management of a commercial co-operative or bank
(c) Only Rule 15(2)(e)
(d) No clause, since co-operatives are exempt
Ans. (b) Rule 15(1)(c) on elective office and Rule 15(1)(e) on management of a commercial co-operative or bank — Explanation: Holding an elective office needs sanction under Rule 15(1)(c), and managing a commercial co-operative or bank needs sanction under Rule 15(1)(e). [Ref: Rule 15(1)(c), (e)]
24. A Government servant appears as a paid actor in a TV serial produced by a private production house. What does Rule 15 require?
(a) Previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(f), and sanction for any fee under Rule 15(4)
(b) Sanction only if the serial is political
(c) Nothing, since it is artistic work
(d) Only a report within one month
Ans. (a) Previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(f), and sanction for any fee under Rule 15(4) — Explanation: A privately produced media programme is expressly listed in Rule 15(1)(f), and a paid role in a serial goes beyond occasional artistic work, so previous sanction is needed. Any fee needs sanction under Rule 15(4). [Ref: Rule 15(1)(f); Rule 15(4)]
25. Which clause of Rule 15(1) deals with canvassing for insurance or commission agency business of a family member?
(a) Rule 15(1)(c)
(b) Rule 15(1)(f)
(c) Rule 15(1)(a)
(d) Rule 15(1)(d)
Ans. (d) Rule 15(1)(d) — Explanation: Rule 15(1)(d) deals with canvassing in support of insurance or commission agency business owned or managed by a family member. [Ref: Rule 15(1)(d)]
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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.