This is Set 9 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 4(1), 4(2)(i) with its proviso, 4(2)(ii) and 4(3).
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 9: Rule 4 – Employment of near relatives in companies or firms
1. What is the subject of Rule 4 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules?
(a) Employment of children below 14 years
(b) Private employment after retirement
(c) Employment of near relatives of Government servants in companies or firms
(d) Recruitment of Government servants through employment exchanges
Ans. (c) Employment of near relatives of Government servants in companies or firms — Explanation: Rule 4 deals with the employment of members of a Government servant's family in companies or firms, and with conflicts of interest arising from it. [Ref: Rule 4]
2. Under Rule 4(1), no Government servant shall use his position or influence directly or indirectly to:
(a) Secure employment for any member of his family in any company or firm
(b) Secure admission for his children in schools
(c) Obtain Government accommodation
(d) Obtain promotion for himself
Ans. (a) Secure employment for any member of his family in any company or firm — Explanation: Rule 4(1) bars using position or influence, directly or indirectly, to secure employment for any member of the family in any company or firm. [Ref: Rule 4(1)]
3. Which category of officers is covered by Rule 4(2)(i), which requires previous sanction before a son, daughter or other dependant accepts certain employment?
(a) All Government servants
(b) Group 'A' officers
(c) Only officers of the rank of Secretary
(d) Group 'C' staff only
Ans. (b) Group 'A' officers — Explanation: Rule 4(2)(i) refers to "Class I officers", that is Group 'A' officers. Other Government servants are covered by the intimation requirement in Rule 4(2)(ii). [Ref: Rule 4(2)(i)]
4. Under Rule 4(2)(i), a Group 'A' officer needs whose previous sanction to permit his son to accept employment in a firm with which he has official dealings?
(a) The Central Vigilance Commission
(b) The Government
(c) The Head of Office
(d) No sanction; only intimation
Ans. (b) The Government — Explanation: Rule 4(2)(i) requires the previous sanction of the Government before a Group 'A' officer permits his son, daughter or other dependant to accept such employment. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(i)]
5. Rule 4(2)(i) applies to employment of a Group 'A' officer's son, daughter or dependant in which companies or firms?
(a) Any company anywhere in India
(b) Only foreign companies
(c) Those with which the officer has official dealings, or other companies or firms having official dealings with the Government
(d) Only public sector undertakings
Ans. (c) Those with which the officer has official dealings, or other companies or firms having official dealings with the Government — Explanation: The rule covers a company or firm with which the officer has official dealings, and any other company or firm having official dealings with the Government. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(i)]
6. A Group 'A' officer's daughter gets an urgent job offer from a firm that has dealings with the Government, and there is no time to seek prior permission. Under the proviso to Rule 4(2)(i):
(a) Only the Head of Office needs to be informed
(b) The daughter must decline the offer
(c) The officer can decide himself and inform later at his convenience
(d) The matter is reported to the Government and the job may be accepted provisionally, subject to the Government's permission
Ans. (d) The matter is reported to the Government and the job may be accepted provisionally, subject to the Government's permission — Explanation: The proviso allows provisional acceptance where the employment cannot await prior permission or is urgent, on condition that the matter is reported to the Government and its permission is obtained. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(i), proviso]
7. Under Rule 4(2)(ii), when must a Government servant intimate the acceptance of employment by a member of his family in any company or firm?
(a) As soon as he becomes aware of the acceptance
(b) Within three months of the acceptance
(c) Only if the family member earns more than he does
(d) Only at the time of filing the annual property return
Ans. (a) As soon as he becomes aware of the acceptance — Explanation: Rule 4(2)(ii) requires the intimation as soon as the Government servant becomes aware of the acceptance. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(ii)]
8. To whom must the intimation under Rule 4(2)(ii) be made?
(a) The prescribed authority
(b) The company's Board of Directors
(c) The Central Vigilance Commission
(d) The Department of Personnel and Training
Ans. (a) The prescribed authority — Explanation: The intimation of acceptance of employment by a family member goes to the prescribed authority. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(ii)]
9. Besides the fact of acceptance, what else must a Government servant intimate under Rule 4(2)(ii)?
(a) Whether he has or has had any official dealings with that company or firm
(b) The salary offered to the family member
(c) The family member's educational qualifications
(d) The names of the company's shareholders
Ans. (a) Whether he has or has had any official dealings with that company or firm — Explanation: Rule 4(2)(ii) requires him to also intimate whether he has or has had any official dealings with that company or firm. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(ii)]
10. Rule 4(2)(ii) covers employment by a family member in:
(a) Only firms with which he has official dealings
(b) Any company or firm
(c) Only Government companies
(d) Only foreign firms
Ans. (b) Any company or firm — Explanation: Unlike Rule 4(2)(i), the intimation duty in Rule 4(2)(ii) covers acceptance of employment in any company or firm, whether or not it has official dealings. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(ii)]
11. What does Rule 4(3) require when a Government servant must deal with a matter involving a firm in which his family member is employed?
(a) He must obtain sanction of the Government and then decide it himself
(b) He may deal with it if he declares the interest in the file
(c) He may deal with it if the value is below Rs. 10,000
(d) He must not deal with it himself, and must refer it to his official superior for disposal as instructed
Ans. (d) He must not deal with it himself, and must refer it to his official superior for disposal as instructed — Explanation: Rule 4(3) bars him from dealing with the matter or awarding any contract. He must refer it to his official superior and it is then disposed of according to the instructions of that authority. [Ref: Rule 4(3)]
12. Rule 4(3) applies when a member of the Government servant's family is employed in the company or firm, and also when:
(a) The company is located in his home State
(b) He or any member of his family is interested in the matter or contract in any other manner
(c) The company is listed on a stock exchange
(d) The contract is above Rs. 1 crore
Ans. (b) He or any member of his family is interested in the matter or contract in any other manner — Explanation: Rule 4(3) also covers cases where the Government servant or any family member is interested in the matter or contract in any other manner, such as holding shares. [Ref: Rule 4(3)]
13. Mr Nair, an Executive Engineer, is to evaluate bids and finds one from a firm where his wife is a partner. What should he do under Rule 4(3)?
(a) Evaluate the bids fairly and record his wife's interest
(b) Reject that firm's bid to avoid controversy
(c) Seek his wife's resignation from the firm before proceeding
(d) Refer the matter to his official superior and not deal with it himself
Ans. (d) Refer the matter to his official superior and not deal with it himself — Explanation: Where a family member is interested in a contract, Rule 4(3) requires the Government servant to refer the matter to his official superior, who then decides how it is to be handled. [Ref: Rule 4(3)]
14. Under Rule 4(3), after the reference to the official superior, the matter or contract is disposed of:
(a) By the Central Vigilance Commission
(b) According to the instructions of the authority to whom the reference is made
(c) By the company or firm itself
(d) By the Government servant after receiving advice
Ans. (b) According to the instructions of the authority to whom the reference is made — Explanation: Rule 4(3) says the matter or contract shall thereafter be disposed of according to the instructions of the authority to whom the reference is made. [Ref: Rule 4(3)]
15. A Group 'B' officer's son accepts a job with a private firm that has no dealings with his office. What must the officer do under Rule 4?
(a) Ask the son to decline the job
(b) Obtain previous sanction of the Government
(c) Nothing, as there are no official dealings
(d) Intimate the acceptance to the prescribed authority, stating he has had no official dealings with the firm
Ans. (d) Intimate the acceptance to the prescribed authority, stating he has had no official dealings with the firm — Explanation: Rule 4(2)(ii) applies to all Government servants and to employment in any company or firm. Previous sanction under Rule 4(2)(i) is for Group 'A' officers where official dealings exist. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(ii)]
16. Which of the following statements about Rule 4 is correct?
(a) Rule 4(2)(i) applies to Group 'A' officers, while Rule 4(2)(ii) applies to every Government servant
(b) Rule 4(2)(i) requires only intimation
(c) Both clauses of Rule 4(2) apply only to Group 'A' officers
(d) Rule 4(2)(ii) requires previous sanction
Ans. (a) Rule 4(2)(i) applies to Group 'A' officers, while Rule 4(2)(ii) applies to every Government servant — Explanation: Rule 4(2)(i) is a previous-sanction rule for Group 'A' officers in specified cases, and Rule 4(2)(ii) is an intimation rule for all Government servants. [Ref: Rule 4(2)]
17. Which relatives are covered by Rule 4(2)(i)?
(a) Only the spouse
(b) Only brothers and sisters
(c) The officer's son, daughter or other dependant
(d) Any relative, whether dependent or not
Ans. (c) The officer's son, daughter or other dependant — Explanation: Rule 4(2)(i) speaks of the officer's son, daughter or other dependant. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(i)]
18. A Joint Secretary rings a company that has contracts with his Ministry and suggests they consider his nephew for a job. Even if the nephew is not a dependant, which rule is breached?
(a) Rule 3(1) on misuse of position and integrity, and possibly Rule 4(1) if the nephew is a family member
(b) Only Rule 15
(c) No rule, since the nephew is not his son
(d) Only Rule 4(2)(ii)
Ans. (a) Rule 3(1) on misuse of position and integrity, and possibly Rule 4(1) if the nephew is a family member — Explanation: Rule 4(1) applies to members of the family. Even if the nephew is not one, using official position to benefit relatives or friends breaches Rule 3(1)(xv) and the duty of integrity. [Ref: Rule 4(1); Rule 3(1)(i), (xv)]
19. Consider these statements about Rule 4: 1. A Group 'A' officer needs previous sanction before his dependent son joins a firm having official dealings with him. 2. Every Government servant must intimate acceptance of employment by a family member in any firm. 3. A Government servant may award a contract to a firm employing his wife if the rate is the lowest. Which are correct?
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (b) 1 and 2 only — Explanation: The first two statements reflect Rule 4(2)(i) and (ii). Under Rule 4(3) he must not deal with such a contract at all; it must be referred to his superior, whatever the rate. [Ref: Rule 4]
20. The proviso to Rule 4(2)(i) permits provisional acceptance of employment in which situation?
(a) Where the salary is below a notified limit
(b) Where the officer is due to retire within a year
(c) Where acceptance cannot await prior permission or is otherwise considered urgent
(d) Where the firm is a public sector undertaking
Ans. (c) Where acceptance cannot await prior permission or is otherwise considered urgent — Explanation: The proviso applies where acceptance of the employment cannot await prior permission or is otherwise considered urgent. The matter must then be reported to the Government. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(i), proviso]
21. If the Government, after provisional acceptance under the proviso to Rule 4(2)(i), refuses permission, what follows?
(a) The employment, which was accepted subject to the Government's permission, cannot continue without that permission
(b) The employment continues because it was already accepted
(c) The officer is automatically retired
(d) The firm is blacklisted
Ans. (a) The employment, which was accepted subject to the Government's permission, cannot continue without that permission — Explanation: The proviso allows acceptance only "provisionally subject to the permission of the Government". If permission is refused, the condition fails. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(i), proviso]
22. A Government servant's dependent daughter accepts a job in a firm that supplies stores to his own section. Which provisions are triggered for a Group 'C' employee?
(a) Previous sanction of the Government under Rule 4(2)(i)
(b) No provision, since he is not a Group 'A' officer
(c) Only Rule 18 on property
(d) Intimation under Rule 4(2)(ii), and he must not deal with the firm's matters under Rule 4(3)
Ans. (d) Intimation under Rule 4(2)(ii), and he must not deal with the firm's matters under Rule 4(3) — Explanation: Rule 4(2)(i) is limited to Group 'A' officers, but Rule 4(2)(ii) requires intimation by all, including a statement of official dealings. Rule 4(3) prevents him from handling the firm's matters. [Ref: Rule 4(2)(ii), (3)]
23. Rule 4(1) forbids using position or influence to secure employment for a family member:
(a) Only directly
(b) Only in writing
(c) Only in Government companies
(d) Directly or indirectly
Ans. (d) Directly or indirectly — Explanation: The words "directly or indirectly" cover both open recommendations and indirect pressure, such as hinting to a contractor. [Ref: Rule 4(1)]
24. Which clause of Rule 4 deals with the Government servant's official decision-making when a family member is employed by a party?
(a) Rule 4(2)(i)
(b) Rule 4(1)
(c) Rule 4(3)
(d) Rule 4(2)(ii)
Ans. (c) Rule 4(3) — Explanation: Rule 4(3) bars him from dealing with any matter or awarding any contract to a company, firm or person employing a member of his family, and requires reference to his superior. [Ref: Rule 4(3)]
25. Rule 4(3) prohibits a Government servant from giving or sanctioning a contract to which of the following?
(a) Only firms in which he holds shares
(b) Only firms in his home district
(c) Any company or firm or any other person if a member of his family is employed there or under that person
(d) Only companies registered outside India
Ans. (c) Any company or firm or any other person if a member of his family is employed there or under that person — Explanation: Rule 4(3) covers any company or firm or any other person employing a member of his family, and also cases where he or his family is otherwise interested. [Ref: Rule 4(3)]
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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.