This is Set 5 of 42 in the smartvidya question bank on the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Part I: General conduct and core values. This set covers Rule 3(2)(i)–(iv) and Explanations I and II.
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Set 5: Rule 3(2) – Supervisors, best judgement and oral directions
1. Under Rule 3(2)(i), a Government servant holding a supervisory post must take all possible steps to ensure what?
(a) That his subordinates are promoted on time
(b) The integrity and devotion to duty of all Government servants for the time being under his control and authority
(c) That his subordinates join a recognised association
(d) That his office meets revenue targets
Ans. (b) The integrity and devotion to duty of all Government servants for the time being under his control and authority — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(i) places on supervisors a duty to take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of all staff under their control and authority. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(i)]
2. A supervisor ignores clear signs that a subordinate is taking bribes. Which provision has the supervisor himself breached?
(a) Rule 3A
(b) Rule 3(2)(i)
(c) Rule 3(2)(iv)
(d) Rule 20
Ans. (b) Rule 3(2)(i) — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(i) makes supervisors responsible for taking all possible steps to ensure the integrity of staff under them. Failure to act on obvious corruption is a breach of that duty. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(i)]
3. Rule 3(2)(ii) says no Government servant shall, in the performance of his official duties, act otherwise than in his best judgement EXCEPT when:
(a) A Member of Parliament requests otherwise
(b) The matter involves less than Rs. 10,000
(c) He is acting under the direction of his official superior
(d) He is on leave
Ans. (c) He is acting under the direction of his official superior — Explanation: A Government servant must act in his best judgement, except when acting under the direction of his official superior. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(ii)]
4. According to Rule 3(2)(iii), the direction of the official superior shall ordinarily be:
(a) In writing
(b) Oral, confirmed by telephone
(c) Through e-mail only
(d) Recorded in the minutes of a meeting
Ans. (a) In writing — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(iii) says the direction of the official superior shall ordinarily be in writing, and oral directions to subordinates shall be avoided as far as possible. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iii)]
5. When an oral direction to a subordinate becomes unavoidable, what must the official superior do under Rule 3(2)(iii)?
(a) Report it to the Head of Department
(b) Record it only if the subordinate asks
(c) Confirm it in writing within one month
(d) Confirm it in writing immediately thereafter
Ans. (d) Confirm it in writing immediately thereafter — Explanation: Where the issue of an oral direction becomes unavoidable, the official superior shall confirm it in writing immediately thereafter. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iii)]
6. A Government servant who has received an oral direction from his superior should, under Rule 3(2)(iv):
(a) Refuse to carry it out until it is in writing
(b) Seek confirmation of it in writing as early as possible
(c) Report it to the vigilance officer
(d) Ignore it, as oral directions are invalid
Ans. (b) Seek confirmation of it in writing as early as possible — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(iv) requires the subordinate to seek written confirmation as early as possible. It does not make oral directions invalid or permit refusal. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iv)]
7. Once a subordinate seeks written confirmation of an oral direction, what is the duty of the official superior under Rule 3(2)(iv)?
(a) To refer the matter to the Government
(b) To confirm the direction in writing
(c) To withdraw the direction
(d) To decide whether confirmation is necessary
Ans. (b) To confirm the direction in writing — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(iv) says that whereupon confirmation is sought, it shall be the duty of the official superior to confirm the direction in writing. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iv)]
8. Which Explanation to Rule 3 defines when a Government servant is deemed to be lacking in devotion to duty?
(a) The Explanation to Rule 3C
(b) Explanation II
(c) The Note to Rule 3A
(d) Explanation I
Ans. (d) Explanation I — Explanation: Explanation I deals with habitual failure to perform tasks within the set time and with the expected quality. Explanation II deals with evading responsibility by seeking unnecessary instructions. [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation I]
9. Under Explanation I to Rule 3, a Government servant is deemed to lack devotion to duty if he habitually fails to perform tasks:
(a) Assigned to other sections
(b) As directed by a Member of Parliament
(c) Within the time set and with the quality of performance expected of him
(d) Beyond office hours
Ans. (c) Within the time set and with the quality of performance expected of him — Explanation: The Explanation has two tests, time and quality. Habitual failure on either counts as lacking devotion to duty under Rule 3(1)(ii). [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation I]
10. The key word that makes failure to perform tasks a breach under Explanation I to Rule 3 is:
(a) Habitually
(b) Negligently
(c) Wilfully
(d) Occasionally
Ans. (a) Habitually — Explanation: The Explanation speaks of a Government servant who "habitually" fails to perform tasks within time and quality. A single lapse does not automatically attract the deeming provision. [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation I]
11. Explanation II to Rule 3 guards against which kind of behaviour?
(a) Approaching MPs for transfers
(b) Refusing to follow oral instructions
(c) Leaving headquarters without permission
(d) Evading responsibility by seeking instructions or approval from superiors when not necessary under the distribution of powers
Ans. (d) Evading responsibility by seeking instructions or approval from superiors when not necessary under the distribution of powers — Explanation: Explanation II says nothing in Rule 3(2)(ii) empowers a Government servant to evade his responsibilities by seeking instructions or approval when these are not necessary under the scheme of distribution of powers and responsibilities. [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation II]
12. A Section Officer has full delegated powers to settle routine claims but sends every file to the Deputy Secretary "for orders" to avoid responsibility. Which provision addresses this?
(a) Explanation II to Rule 3
(b) Rule 24
(c) Rule 3(2)(iv)
(d) Rule 3A(b)
Ans. (a) Explanation II to Rule 3 — Explanation: Explanation II makes clear that Rule 3(2)(ii) does not allow a Government servant to evade responsibility by seeking unnecessary instructions or approval. He must exercise his own delegated powers. [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation II]
13. Explanation II to Rule 3 is linked to which clause of the rule?
(a) Rule 3(1)(xx), on confidentiality
(b) Rule 3(2)(i), on supervisory duties
(c) Rule 3(2)(ii), on acting in best judgement except under a superior's direction
(d) Rule 3(1)(i), on absolute integrity
Ans. (c) Rule 3(2)(ii), on acting in best judgement except under a superior's direction — Explanation: Explanation II says nothing in clause (ii) of sub-rule (2) shall be construed as empowering a Government servant to evade his responsibilities, so it qualifies Rule 3(2)(ii). [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation II]
14. Explanation I to Rule 3 relates to which clause of Rule 3(1)?
(a) Clause (xxi), professionalism
(b) Clause (iii), unbecoming conduct
(c) Clause (ii), devotion to duty
(d) Clause (i), absolute integrity
Ans. (c) Clause (ii), devotion to duty — Explanation: Explanation I deems habitual failure to perform assigned tasks to be lack of devotion to duty "within the meaning of clause (ii) of sub-rule (1)". [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation I]
15. A Deputy Director telephones an Assistant and orders him to release a payment urgently. What is the correct course for the Assistant under Rule 3(2)?
(a) Release the payment and do nothing further
(b) Refuse to act until a written order is received
(c) Report the Deputy Director to the vigilance officer
(d) Act on it and seek written confirmation from the Deputy Director as early as possible
Ans. (d) Act on it and seek written confirmation from the Deputy Director as early as possible — Explanation: Oral directions are to be avoided but may be unavoidable. The subordinate must seek written confirmation as early as possible, and the superior must then confirm it in writing. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iii), (iv)]
16. Which statement about oral directions under Rule 3(2) is correct?
(a) They need to be confirmed only if the subordinate objects
(b) They are valid only if given by a Joint Secretary or above
(c) They are prohibited altogether
(d) They are to be avoided as far as possible, and when unavoidable, confirmed in writing immediately
Ans. (d) They are to be avoided as far as possible, and when unavoidable, confirmed in writing immediately — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(iii) says oral directions shall be avoided as far as possible, and where unavoidable, the superior shall confirm them in writing immediately thereafter. They are not banned outright. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iii)]
17. The provisions on written confirmation of oral directions place duties on:
(a) Both the official superior and the subordinate
(b) Only the Head of Department
(c) Only the official superior
(d) Only the subordinate
Ans. (a) Both the official superior and the subordinate — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(iii) places a duty on the superior to confirm oral directions immediately, and Rule 3(2)(iv) places a duty on the subordinate to seek written confirmation as early as possible. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iii), (iv)]
18. Consider these statements about Rule 3(2): 1. A supervisor must take all possible steps to ensure the integrity of staff under him. 2. Directions of a superior should ordinarily be in writing. 3. A subordinate who gets an oral direction may disregard it. Which are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (c) 1 and 2 only — Explanation: The first two statements restate Rule 3(2)(i) and (iii). An oral direction is not to be disregarded; the subordinate must seek written confirmation. [Ref: Rule 3(2)]
19. A supervisory officer's duty under Rule 3(2)(i) extends to Government servants:
(a) Only those he has personally appointed
(b) Only those in the same cadre as himself
(c) In his entire Ministry
(d) For the time being under his control and authority
Ans. (d) For the time being under his control and authority — Explanation: The duty covers all Government servants for the time being under his control and authority, whoever appointed them and whatever their cadre. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(i)]
20. Which sub-rule of Rule 3 deals with a Government servant acting in his "best judgement"?
(a) Rule 3(2)(iv)
(b) Rule 3(2)(ii)
(c) Rule 3(1)(xvi)
(d) Rule 3(1)(xxi)
Ans. (b) Rule 3(2)(ii) — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(ii) requires a Government servant to act in his best judgement in official duties, except when acting under the direction of his official superior. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(ii)]
21. A subordinate says, "My superior orally told me to do it, so I am not responsible." Under Rule 3(2), what weakens this defence most?
(a) He should have obtained sanction of the Government
(b) He should have sought written confirmation as early as possible
(c) Only the Head of Department can give directions
(d) Oral directions are always illegal
Ans. (b) He should have sought written confirmation as early as possible — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(iv) requires the subordinate to seek written confirmation as early as possible. Not doing so makes it harder for him to prove he acted under directions. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iv)]
22. Explanation II to Rule 3 refers to the "scheme of distribution of" what?
(a) Work among sections
(b) Budget among departments
(c) Powers and responsibilities
(d) Files among officers
Ans. (c) Powers and responsibilities — Explanation: Explanation II speaks of instructions or approval that are not necessary "under the scheme of distribution of powers and responsibilities". [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation II]
23. Which of the following would be deemed "lacking in devotion to duty" under Explanation I to Rule 3?
(a) A dealing assistant who habitually misses deadlines and submits careless drafts
(b) An officer who once fell ill and could not finish a report
(c) An officer who asks for guidance on a genuinely new issue
(d) An officer who confirms an oral direction in writing
Ans. (a) A dealing assistant who habitually misses deadlines and submits careless drafts — Explanation: Explanation I targets habitual failure on time and quality. A one-time illness or a genuine request for guidance is not habitual failure. [Ref: Rule 3, Explanation I]
24. A superior avoids putting a controversial direction in writing and later denies giving it. Which provision has he breached?
(a) Rule 3(2)(iii), which requires him to confirm unavoidable oral directions in writing immediately
(b) Rule 3A(a), on discourtesy
(c) Rule 3(1)(xx), on confidentiality
(d) Rule 20, on outside influence
Ans. (a) Rule 3(2)(iii), which requires him to confirm unavoidable oral directions in writing immediately — Explanation: Rule 3(2)(iii) makes written confirmation of oral directions the superior's duty, and Rule 3(2)(iv) makes it his duty to confirm when asked. [Ref: Rule 3(2)(iii), (iv)]
25. Rule 3(2) as a whole mainly deals with:
(a) Supervisory responsibility and the handling of directions from superiors
(b) Private trade and employment
(c) Political activity
(d) Gifts and hospitality
Ans. (a) Supervisory responsibility and the handling of directions from superiors — Explanation: Rule 3(2) covers the supervisor's duty to ensure integrity, acting in best judgement, and the rules on written and oral directions. [Ref: Rule 3(2)]
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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.