This is Set 22 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(2)(a)–(e) with provisos, Rule 15(3) report of family business and Rule 15(4) fees.
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Set 22: Rule 15(2) to 15(4) – Permitted activities, family business and fees
1. Under Rule 15(2)(a), a Government servant may, without previous sanction, undertake:
(a) A paid part-time job
(b) Management of a commercial company
(c) An elective office in a club
(d) Honorary work of a social or charitable nature
Ans. (d) Honorary work of a social or charitable nature — Explanation: Rule 15(2)(a) permits honorary work of a social or charitable nature without previous sanction. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(a)]
2. Rule 15(2)(b) permits, without previous sanction:
(a) Running a coaching centre
(b) Editing a newspaper
(c) Occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character
(d) Regular part-time lectureship
Ans. (c) Occasional work of a literary, artistic or scientific character — Explanation: Occasional literary, artistic or scientific work is permitted. Regular work of this kind may amount to other employment, and editing a newspaper needs sanction under Rule 8(1). [Ref: Rule 15(2)(b)]
3. Participation in sports activities is permitted without previous sanction under Rule 15(2)(c) if it is:
(a) Only in office tournaments
(b) Only on holidays
(c) As an amateur
(d) As a professional player
Ans. (c) As an amateur — Explanation: Rule 15(2)(c) permits participation in sports activities as an amateur. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(c)]
4. Rule 15(2)(d) permits participation in the registration, promotion or management of which bodies without sanction?
(a) Any political organisation
(b) Any company registered under the Companies Act
(c) A literary, scientific or charitable society, or a club for sports, cultural or recreational activities, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or any other law
(d) Any commercial co-operative society
Ans. (c) A literary, scientific or charitable society, or a club for sports, cultural or recreational activities, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or any other law — Explanation: Rule 15(2)(d) covers literary, scientific or charitable societies and clubs or similar organisations promoting sports, cultural or recreational activities. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(d)]
5. The permission under Rule 15(2)(d) and (e) is subject to the condition that the Government servant:
(a) Does not hold an elective office
(b) Resigns from service
(c) Pays a fee to the society
(d) Is a Group 'A' officer
Ans. (a) Does not hold an elective office — Explanation: Both clauses permit participation "not involving the holding of an elective office". Holding elective office needs sanction under Rule 15(1)(c). [Ref: Rule 15(2)(d), (e)]
6. Rule 15(2)(e) permits participation in a co-operative society registered under which law?
(a) The Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act only, for commercial purposes
(b) The Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 or any other law, if it is substantially for the benefit of Government servants
(c) The Companies Act, 2013 only
(d) The Societies Registration Act, 1860 only
Ans. (b) The Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 or any other law, if it is substantially for the benefit of Government servants — Explanation: Rule 15(2)(e) covers co-operative societies substantially for the benefit of Government servants, registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 or any other law. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(e)]
7. Under the first proviso to Rule 15(2), what must a Government servant do if the Government directs him to stop an activity permitted by Rule 15(2)?
(a) Discontinue taking part in it
(b) Continue, since the activity is permitted
(c) Seek a court order
(d) Pay a penalty and continue
Ans. (a) Discontinue taking part in it — Explanation: The first proviso says he shall discontinue taking part in such activities if so directed by the Government. [Ref: Rule 15(2), proviso]
8. For activities under Rule 15(2)(d) or (e), within what period must the Government servant report his participation?
(a) Within seven days
(b) At the time of the annual property return
(c) Within one month of taking part in the activity
(d) Within three months
Ans. (c) Within one month of taking part in the activity — Explanation: The second proviso requires him to report, within a period of one month of taking part, the details of the nature of his participation. [Ref: Rule 15(2), proviso]
9. Besides the report, what condition does the second proviso to Rule 15(2) impose for clauses (d) and (e)?
(a) He must not receive any honorarium
(b) His official duties shall not suffer thereby
(c) He must have five years' service
(d) He must obtain the consent of his family
Ans. (b) His official duties shall not suffer thereby — Explanation: For activities under Rule 15(2)(d) or (e), his official duties must not suffer, and he must report within one month. [Ref: Rule 15(2), proviso]
10. A Government servant joins the managing committee (non-elective) of a registered cricket club. What must he do?
(a) Resign from the club within a month
(b) Nothing at all
(c) Report to the Government within one month, giving details of his participation
(d) Obtain previous sanction
Ans. (c) Report to the Government within one month, giving details of his participation — Explanation: This is a Rule 15(2)(d) activity: no sanction is needed, but he must report within one month and ensure official duties do not suffer. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(d), proviso]
11. Which of the following activities needs NO report under Rule 15(2)?
(a) Occasional work of a literary character
(b) Taking part in the promotion of a registered sports club
(c) Taking part in the management of an employees' co-operative society
(d) Taking part in the management of a registered charitable society
Ans. (a) Occasional work of a literary character — Explanation: The one-month report applies only to Rule 15(2)(d) and 15(2)(e), that is societies, clubs and employee co-operatives. Occasional literary work falls under Rule 15(2)(b). [Ref: Rule 15(2), proviso]
12. Under Rule 15(3), a Government servant must report to the Government if any member of his family:
(a) Opens a bank account
(b) Buys a car
(c) Takes a job in a Government office
(d) Is engaged in a trade or business, or owns or manages an insurance agency or commission agency
Ans. (d) Is engaged in a trade or business, or owns or manages an insurance agency or commission agency — Explanation: Rule 15(3) requires a report if any member of his family is engaged in a trade or business or owns or manages an insurance or commission agency. [Ref: Rule 15(3)]
13. A Government servant's dependent son starts an online retail business. What does Rule 15(3) require?
(a) Previous sanction of the Government
(b) Nothing, since the son runs it
(c) Previous knowledge of the prescribed authority
(d) A report to the Government
Ans. (d) A report to the Government — Explanation: Rule 15(3) needs only a report, not sanction, when a family member engages in trade or business. [Ref: Rule 15(3)]
14. Under Rule 15(4), without whose sanction may a Government servant NOT accept a fee for work done for a public body or private person?
(a) The client
(b) No sanction is ever needed
(c) The Government in every case
(d) The prescribed authority
Ans. (d) The prescribed authority — Explanation: Rule 15(4) requires the sanction of the prescribed authority, unless a general or special order of the Government provides otherwise. [Ref: Rule 15(4)]
15. The term "fee" in Rule 15(4) has the meaning given in:
(a) The Income Tax Act, 1961
(b) The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
(c) The General Financial Rules, 2017
(d) Fundamental Rule 9(6-A)
Ans. (d) Fundamental Rule 9(6-A) — Explanation: The Explanation to Rule 15(4) says "fee" has the meaning assigned to it in FR 9(6-A). [Ref: Rule 15(4), Explanation]
16. Rule 15(4) applies "unless otherwise provided by":
(a) A general or special order of the Government
(b) The service association
(c) The Head of Office
(d) The client's contract
Ans. (a) A general or special order of the Government — Explanation: Rule 15(4) begins "Unless otherwise provided by general or special order of the Government". [Ref: Rule 15(4)]
17. A Government servant is paid an honorarium by a private college for delivering a guest lecture on his subject. Which provisions apply?
(a) No provision applies
(b) Rule 15(2)(b) permits occasional literary or scientific work, but acceptance of the fee needs sanction under Rule 15(4) unless covered by a general order
(c) Rule 15(1)(a), since it is business
(d) Rule 12, since it is a subscription
Ans. (b) Rule 15(2)(b) permits occasional literary or scientific work, but acceptance of the fee needs sanction under Rule 15(4) unless covered by a general order — Explanation: An occasional lecture is permitted work, but acceptance of any fee from a private body needs sanction of the prescribed authority under Rule 15(4), subject to any general order. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(b); Rule 15(4)]
18. Consider these statements about Rule 15(2): 1. Honorary charitable work needs no sanction. 2. Amateur sports need no sanction. 3. Management of a registered charitable society needs no report. Which are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
Ans. (b) 1 and 2 only — Explanation: Rule 15(2)(a) and 15(2)(c) permit honorary charitable work and amateur sports freely. Management of a registered charitable society under Rule 15(2)(d) needs a report within one month. [Ref: Rule 15(2)]
19. A Government servant takes part in the management of an employees' co-operative credit society (non-elective) and neglects office work. What can happen?
(a) The proviso is breached because official duties must not suffer, and he can be directed to discontinue
(b) Nothing, since Rule 15(2)(e) permits it
(c) He can be asked to resign from service
(d) He must seek sanction retrospectively
Ans. (a) The proviso is breached because official duties must not suffer, and he can be directed to discontinue — Explanation: For Rule 15(2)(e) activities, official duties must not suffer, and the Government can direct him to discontinue. [Ref: Rule 15(2), provisos]
20. Which clause of Rule 15(2) covers amateur sports?
(a) Rule 15(2)(d)
(b) Rule 15(2)(c)
(c) Rule 15(2)(a)
(d) Rule 15(2)(b)
Ans. (b) Rule 15(2)(c) — Explanation: Rule 15(2)(a) is honorary social or charitable work, 15(2)(b) occasional literary, artistic or scientific work, 15(2)(c) amateur sports, and 15(2)(d) societies and clubs. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(c)]
21. Rule 15(3) differs from Rule 15(1)(d) because:
(a) Rule 15(3) applies only to Group 'A' officers
(b) Both require previous sanction
(c) Rule 15(1)(d) requires only a report
(d) Rule 15(3) requires only a report of a family business, while Rule 15(1)(d) needs sanction to canvass for it
Ans. (d) Rule 15(3) requires only a report of a family business, while Rule 15(1)(d) needs sanction to canvass for it — Explanation: A family member's business must be reported under Rule 15(3). If the Government servant canvasses for its insurance or commission agency, he needs previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(d). [Ref: Rule 15(1)(d); Rule 15(3)]
22. Which of the following is permitted under Rule 15(2)(b) without sanction?
(a) Occasionally painting and exhibiting artworks
(b) Being a paid regular columnist for a newspaper
(c) Running a regular painting business
(d) Acting in a sponsored TV programme
Ans. (a) Occasionally painting and exhibiting artworks — Explanation: Occasional artistic work is permitted. A regular business, a regular paid job or sponsored media programmes need sanction under Rule 15(1). [Ref: Rule 15(2)(b)]
23. A Government servant becomes an office-bearer by election of a registered literary society. Is this covered by Rule 15(2)(d)?
(a) No, Rule 15(2)(d) excludes holding an elective office, so previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(c) is needed
(b) Yes, all society work is permitted
(c) Yes, if the society is charitable
(d) Yes, if he reports within one month
Ans. (a) No, Rule 15(2)(d) excludes holding an elective office, so previous sanction under Rule 15(1)(c) is needed — Explanation: Rule 15(2)(d) permits participation "not involving the holding of an elective office". Elective office needs sanction under Rule 15(1)(c). [Ref: Rule 15(2)(d); Rule 15(1)(c)]
24. Under the second proviso to Rule 1(3), which part of Rule 15 does NOT apply to low-paid non-gazetted industrial staff?
(a) Rule 15(2)
(b) Rule 15(1)
(c) Rule 15(3)
(d) Rule 15(4)
Ans. (c) Rule 15(3) — Explanation: Only sub-rule (3) of Rule 15 is excluded by the second proviso. The rest of Rule 15 continues to apply. [Ref: Rule 1(3), second proviso]
25. A Government servant is invited to evaluate answer scripts as an examiner for a university on one occasion and is paid a fee. Which statement is correct?
(a) It needs sanction under Rule 15(1)(e)
(b) Occasional examinership is permissible, but acceptance of the fee is regulated by Rule 15(4) and general orders
(c) It needs no permission and no sanction for fees in any case
(d) It is prohibited as other employment
Ans. (b) Occasional examinership is permissible, but acceptance of the fee is regulated by Rule 15(4) and general orders — Explanation: Government instructions of 06.09.1957 treat occasional examinership as permissible. Fees are governed by Rule 15(4) and any general orders. [Ref: Rule 15(2)(b); Rule 15(4); GoI decision dt 06.09.1957]
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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.