This is Set 12 of 40 in the smartvidya question bank on the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, with the latest amendments and DoPT instructions. Part III: Penalties and disciplinary authorities. This set covers Rules 12 and 13; President's powers; Schedule; January 2026 amendment of Rule 12(4).
Try each question first, then tap Show answer to see the correct option, a short explanation and the section or rule reference. The questions are useful for departmental and promotion examinations, for disciplinary authorities, inquiring and presenting officers, and vigilance staff.
Set 12: Disciplinary Authorities and Institution of Proceedings
1. Under Rule 12(1) of the CCS (CCA) Rules, the President may impose:
(a) Any penalty, but only on the advice of the Central Vigilance Commission
(b) Any of the penalties specified in Rule 11 on any Government servant
(c) Only those penalties for which the Schedule names the President
(d) Only the major penalties, and only on Group A officers
Ans. (b) Any of the penalties specified in Rule 11 on any Government servant — Explanation: Rule 12(1) provides that the President may impose any of the penalties specified in Rule 11 on any Government servant. [Ref: Rule 12(1)]
2. Under Rule 12(2)(a), penalties may be imposed on a member of a Central Civil Service other than the General Central Service by:
(a) Only the Head of the Department in which he is serving
(b) Only the Union Public Service Commission
(c) The appointing authority, the authority specified in the Schedule, or an authority empowered by general or special order of the President
(d) Only the Secretary of the administrative Ministry
Ans. (c) The appointing authority, the authority specified in the Schedule, or an authority empowered by general or special order of the President — Explanation: Rule 12(2)(a) names three sources of power: the appointing authority, the authority specified in the Schedule, and any other authority empowered by a general or special order of the President. [Ref: Rule 12(2)(a)]
3. For a person appointed to a post in the General Central Service, where no authority has been specified by a general or special order of the President, penalties may be imposed by:
(a) Only the Cabinet Secretary
(b) Only the Head of Office, irrespective of rank
(c) The appointing authority or the authority specified in the Schedule
(d) Only the appellate authority
Ans. (c) The appointing authority or the authority specified in the Schedule — Explanation: Rule 12(2)(b) lets the authority specified by Presidential order impose penalties on General Central Service post-holders and, failing such specification, the appointing authority or the Schedule authority. [Ref: Rule 12(2)(b)]
4. Under Rule 12(3)(a), a Group C Government servant serving in a Ministry or Department of the Government of India may be penalised by:
(a) The Secretary to the Government of India in that Ministry or Department
(b) The Joint Secretary (Administration) only, with the CVO's consent
(c) The Minister in charge of the Department only
(d) Any Under Secretary in that Ministry
Ans. (a) The Secretary to the Government of India in that Ministry or Department — Explanation: Rule 12(3)(a) empowers the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry or Department, subject to Rule 12(4). [Ref: Rule 12(3)(a)]
5. Under Rule 12(3)(b), the head of an office may impose penalties on a Group C employee serving in that office EXCEPT where:
(a) The head of that office is lower in rank than the authority competent to impose the penalty under Rule 12(2)
(b) The employee belongs to a recognised service association
(c) The penalty proposed is censure
(d) The employee has more than ten years of service
Ans. (a) The head of that office is lower in rank than the authority competent to impose the penalty under Rule 12(2) — Explanation: The head of office's power under Rule 12(3)(b) does not apply where the head of office is lower in rank than the authority competent under Rule 12(2). [Ref: Rule 12(3)(b)]
6. Rule 12(3), which empowers the Secretary or the head of office to impose penalties on Group C employees, does NOT apply to members of which service?
(a) Indian Postal Service
(b) Central Secretariat Stenographers' Service
(c) General Central Service
(d) Central Secretariat Clerical Service
Ans. (d) Central Secretariat Clerical Service — Explanation: Rule 12(3) applies to Group C members other than members of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service. [Ref: Rule 12(3)]
7. Rule 12(4)(a) provides that the penalties specified in clauses (v) to (ix) of Rule 11 shall not be imposed by:
(a) Any authority subordinate to the appointing authority
(b) Any authority not specified by the UPSC
(c) Any authority below the rank of Secretary
(d) Any authority other than the President
Ans. (a) Any authority subordinate to the appointing authority — Explanation: Rule 12(4)(a) bars an authority subordinate to the appointing authority from imposing major penalties, reflecting and extending the protection in Article 311(1). [Ref: Rule 12(4)(a)]
8. An authority subordinate to the appointing authority, but listed in the Schedule as competent to impose minor penalties, proposes to impose censure. Is this barred by Rule 12(4)(a)?
(a) Yes, unless the appointing authority gives prior written approval
(b) No, because that bar applies only to the penalties in clauses (v) to (ix) of Rule 11
(c) No, but only if the employee belongs to Group C
(d) Yes, because no penalty may be imposed by a subordinate authority
Ans. (b) No, because that bar applies only to the penalties in clauses (v) to (ix) of Rule 11 — Explanation: Rule 12(4)(a) restricts only major penalties. Minor penalties may be imposed by any authority competent under the Rules and the Schedule. [Ref: Rule 12(4)(a)]
9. A Group C official was appointed by the Chief Postmaster General. Can a Postmaster General subordinate to the Chief Postmaster General order his removal from service?
(a) No, because only the President can remove a Group C official
(b) No, since removal cannot be ordered by an authority subordinate to the appointing authority
(c) Yes, provided the official has been given an inquiry under Rule 14
(d) Yes, provided the Postmaster General is listed in the Schedule
Ans. (b) No, since removal cannot be ordered by an authority subordinate to the appointing authority — Explanation: Article 311(1) and Rule 12(4)(a) forbid dismissal or removal by an authority subordinate to the one by which the Government servant was appointed. [Ref: Article 311(1); Rule 12(4)(a)]
10. The CCS (CCA) amendment notified on 12 January 2026 (G.S.R. 21(E)) substituted which provision of Rule 12?
(a) Explanation II
(b) Sub-rule (1)
(c) Clause (b) of sub-rule (3)
(d) Clause (a) of sub-rule (4)
Ans. (d) Clause (a) of sub-rule (4) — Explanation: G.S.R. 21(E) of 12 January 2026 substituted Rule 12(4)(a), along with the proviso to Rule 10(1). [Ref: Rule 12(4)(a); G.S.R. 21(E) of 2026]
11. The January 2026 substitution of clause (a) of Rule 12(4) relates to penalties on which category of officers?
(a) Officers of the Indian Foreign Service posted in missions abroad
(b) Group C staff of the Central Secretariat Clerical Service
(c) Members of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Assistant Accountants General and General Central Service members in the IA&AD
(d) Officers on deputation to public sector undertakings
Ans. (c) Members of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Assistant Accountants General and General Central Service members in the IA&AD — Explanation: The 2026 amendment concerns suspension and penalties of IA&AS members, Assistant Accountants General and General Central Service members in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. [Ref: Rule 12(4)(a); G.S.R. 21(E) of 2026]
12. In respect of a probationer undergoing training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the Director of the Academy may impose the penalties allowed to him after observing the procedure in:
(a) Rule 18
(b) Rule 16
(c) Rule 14
(d) Rule 19
Ans. (b) Rule 16 — Explanation: Rule 12(4)(c) makes the Director of the LBSNAA competent to impose specified minor penalties on such probationers after following the minor penalty procedure laid down in Rule 16 of the Rules. [Ref: Rule 12(4)(c)]
13. Under Explanation II to Rule 12, a Government servant promoted, whether on probation or temporarily, to a post of the next higher Group is deemed for the purposes of Rule 12 to:
(a) Continue to belong to his original Group until confirmation
(b) Belong to the higher Group
(c) Belong to both Groups at the same time
(d) Belong to the Group decided by his appointing authority
Ans. (b) Belong to the higher Group — Explanation: Explanation II to Rule 12 treats such a promoted Government servant as belonging to the Service or post of the higher Group. [Ref: Rule 12, Explanation II]
14. Under Rule 13(1)(a), who may institute disciplinary proceedings against any Government servant?
(a) Only the appointing authority of the Government servant
(b) Only the authority specified in the Schedule for major penalties
(c) The President, or any other authority empowered by him by general or special order
(d) Only the Central Vigilance Commission
Ans. (c) The President, or any other authority empowered by him by general or special order — Explanation: Rule 13(1) empowers the President or any authority empowered by him to institute proceedings against any Government servant. [Ref: Rule 13(1)(a)]
15. Under Rule 13(1)(b), the President, or an authority empowered by him, may:
(a) Direct a disciplinary authority to institute disciplinary proceedings against a Government servant
(b) Direct the UPSC to conduct the inquiry itself
(c) Direct the appellate authority to impose a penalty without an inquiry
(d) Direct a criminal court to try the Government servant
Ans. (a) Direct a disciplinary authority to institute disciplinary proceedings against a Government servant — Explanation: Rule 13(1)(b) enables the President to direct a disciplinary authority, competent to impose any Rule 11 penalty, to institute proceedings against the Government servant. [Ref: Rule 13(1)(b)]
16. Under Rule 13(2), a disciplinary authority competent to impose only the penalties in clauses (i) to (iv) of Rule 11 may:
(a) Impose compulsory retirement but not removal or dismissal
(b) Institute only minor penalty proceedings and nothing more
(c) Institute proceedings for any of the penalties in clauses (v) to (ix), though it cannot impose them itself
(d) Impose any major penalty if the charged officer consents
Ans. (c) Institute proceedings for any of the penalties in clauses (v) to (ix), though it cannot impose them itself — Explanation: Rule 13(2) permits such an authority to institute major penalty proceedings notwithstanding that it is not competent to impose those penalties. [Ref: Rule 13(2)]
17. A Head of Office competent only to impose minor penalties on a Group C clerk issues him a Rule 14 major penalty charge sheet. Which statement is correct?
(a) The charge sheet is valid only if the clerk accepts it in writing
(b) The charge sheet is valid under Rule 13(2), but any major penalty must be imposed by an authority competent to impose it
(c) The charge sheet is void, as only the appointing authority can issue a Rule 14 charge sheet
(d) The charge sheet is valid, and the Head of Office may also impose dismissal
Ans. (b) The charge sheet is valid under Rule 13(2), but any major penalty must be imposed by an authority competent to impose it — Explanation: Rule 13(2) allows institution of major penalty proceedings by such an authority; the major penalty itself must come from a competent authority, to whom the records are sent under Rule 14(21). [Ref: Rules 13(2) and 14(21)]
18. According to the Supreme Court in State of M.P. v. Shardul Singh (1970), Article 311(1) requires that:
(a) The inquiring authority be of the same rank as the appointing authority
(b) Disciplinary proceedings be initiated only by the appointing authority itself
(c) Every charge sheet be issued in the name of the President
(d) Dismissal or removal be ordered by an authority not subordinate to the appointing authority, though proceedings may be initiated by a lower authority
Ans. (d) Dismissal or removal be ordered by an authority not subordinate to the appointing authority, though proceedings may be initiated by a lower authority — Explanation: The Court held that Article 311(1) protects only against dismissal or removal by a subordinate authority; it does not require the inquiry to be initiated or held by the appointing authority. [Ref: Article 311(1); Rule 13]
19. The regular disciplinary authority of an officer is himself a material witness in the case against that officer. The appropriate course is to:
(a) Close the case, since no other authority can act
(b) Let the regular authority continue, since the Rules do not bar it
(c) Allow the charged officer to choose his own disciplinary authority
(d) Have another authority designated to act as disciplinary authority by a special order of the President
Ans. (d) Have another authority designated to act as disciplinary authority by a special order of the President — Explanation: Rule 12(2) allows penalties to be imposed by an authority empowered by a general or special order of the President, which is how an ad hoc disciplinary authority is appointed to avoid bias. [Ref: Rule 12(2)]
20. Which of the following is specified in the Schedule to the CCS (CCA) Rules for the posts it covers?
(a) The appointing authority, the authority competent to impose penalties, the penalties it may impose, and the appellate authority
(b) The vigilance clearance status of each officer holding the posts
(c) The pay level, the promotion quota and the recruitment rules of each post
(d) The names of inquiring authorities and presenting officers for each office
Ans. (a) The appointing authority, the authority competent to impose penalties, the penalties it may impose, and the appellate authority — Explanation: The Schedule sets out, post by post, the appointing authority, the authority empowered to impose penalties and the penalties it may impose, and the appellate authority. [Ref: Schedule; Rule 12(2)]
21. Which of the following is NOT a power conferred by Rule 13?
(a) A minor-penalty authority's power to institute major penalty proceedings
(b) The President's power to institute proceedings against any Government servant
(c) The President's power to direct a disciplinary authority to institute proceedings
(d) The appellate authority's power to enhance a penalty in an appeal
Ans. (d) The appellate authority's power to enhance a penalty in an appeal — Explanation: Rule 13 deals only with institution of proceedings. Powers of the appellate authority, including enhancement, are dealt with in Rule 27 of the Rules. [Ref: Rules 13 and 27]
22. A Group A officer's appointing authority is the President. Which authority alone may impose the penalty of compulsory retirement on him?
(a) The Head of his Department
(b) The Chief Vigilance Officer of the Ministry
(c) The Secretary of the Ministry in which he serves
(d) The President
Ans. (d) The President — Explanation: Compulsory retirement is a major penalty, and Rule 12(4)(a) bars every authority subordinate to the appointing authority from imposing it; where the President is the appointing authority, only the President can impose it. [Ref: Rule 12(4)(a)]
23. Consider the following statements: (i) The President may impose any of the penalties in Rule 11 on any Government servant. (ii) An authority competent only to impose minor penalties may institute proceedings for a major penalty. Which is/are correct?
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (ii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
Ans. (c) Both (i) and (ii) — Explanation: Statement (i) is Rule 12(1) and statement (ii) is Rule 13(2); both are correct. [Ref: Rules 12(1) and 13(2)]
24. Assertion (A): A Deputy Secretary who is subordinate to the appointing authority of a Government servant cannot order his removal from service. Reason (R): Article 311(1) bars dismissal or removal by an authority subordinate to the one by which the Government servant was appointed.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A — Explanation: The constitutional bar in Article 311(1), repeated in Rule 12(4)(a), is the reason a subordinate authority cannot order removal. [Ref: Article 311(1); Rule 12(4)(a)]
25. Assertion (A): Disciplinary proceedings against a Government servant can be initiated only by his appointing authority. Reason (R): Article 311(1) bars dismissal or removal by an authority subordinate to the appointing authority.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans. (d) A is false but R is true — Explanation: Rule 13 lets the President, empowered authorities and even minor-penalty authorities institute proceedings, so A is false. R is true but concerns only the authority passing the order of dismissal or removal. [Ref: Rule 13; Article 311(1)]
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These questions are prepared for practice from the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 as amended (including the 2014, 2017, 2022 and January 2026 amendments), DoPT and CVC instructions, and Supreme Court judgments. Check the latest DoPT notifications and orders before relying on any detail.