This is Set 13 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 IV: Procedure for imposing penalties. This set covers Rule 14(1)-(5): articles of charge, statement of imputations, lists of documents and witnesses, 15 days + 15 days, max 45 days (2017), admission.
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 13: Rule 14 I: Charge Sheet and Written Statement
1. Under Rule 14(1), a penalty specified in clauses (v) to (ix) of Rule 11 can be imposed only after an inquiry held:
(a) By the Central Vigilance Commission in every case
(b) Under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 in every case
(c) In the manner provided in Rules 14 and 15, or under the Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850 where that Act applies
(d) Under the Code of Criminal Procedure by a magistrate
Ans. (c) In the manner provided in Rules 14 and 15, or under the Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850 where that Act applies — Explanation: Rule 14(1) provides that no major penalty shall be imposed except after an inquiry held as far as may be under Rules 14 and 15, or under the Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850 where an inquiry is held under that Act. [Ref: Rule 14(1)]
2. Rule 14(2) comes into play whenever the disciplinary authority:
(a) Is of the opinion that there are grounds for inquiring into the truth of any imputation of misconduct or misbehaviour
(b) Receives the written consent of the Government servant to an inquiry
(c) Has been directed by a criminal court to hold an inquiry
(d) Has completed the review of suspension under Rule 10(6)
Ans. (a) Is of the opinion that there are grounds for inquiring into the truth of any imputation of misconduct or misbehaviour — Explanation: Rule 14(2) is triggered when the disciplinary authority forms the opinion that there are grounds for inquiring into the truth of an imputation against the Government servant. [Ref: Rule 14(2)]
3. Under Rule 14(2), once it decides to inquire into imputations against a Government servant, the disciplinary authority:
(a) May itself inquire into them or appoint an authority to inquire
(b) May itself inquire only into charges against Group C employees
(c) Must first obtain the permission of the CVC to inquire itself
(d) Must always appoint a separate inquiring authority
Ans. (a) May itself inquire into them or appoint an authority to inquire — Explanation: Rule 14(2) leaves it to the disciplinary authority either to hold the inquiry itself or to appoint an inquiring authority. [Ref: Rule 14(2)]
4. Under Rule 14(3), the substance of the imputations of misconduct is drawn up into definite and distinct articles of charge by:
(a) The disciplinary authority, which draws them up or causes them to be drawn up
(b) The inquiring authority after the preliminary hearing
(c) The Chief Vigilance Officer, whose draft is final
(d) The presenting officer after examining the witnesses
Ans. (a) The disciplinary authority, which draws them up or causes them to be drawn up — Explanation: Rule 14(3) requires the disciplinary authority to draw up, or cause to be drawn up, the articles of charge and the statement of imputations. [Ref: Rule 14(3)]
5. Rule 14(3)(i) requires the substance of the imputations to be drawn up into articles of charge that are:
(a) Approved by the inquiring authority
(b) Confidential and sealed
(c) Definite and distinct
(d) Brief and general
Ans. (c) Definite and distinct — Explanation: The articles of charge must be definite and distinct so that the Government servant knows precisely what he has to meet. [Ref: Rule 14(3)(i)]
6. Under Rule 14(3)(ii), the statement of the imputations of misconduct in support of each article of charge must contain:
(a) Only the conclusions reached in the preliminary inquiry, without facts
(b) The penalty that the disciplinary authority proposes to impose
(c) A statement of all relevant facts, including any admission or confession made by the Government servant
(d) The names of the inquiring authority and the presenting officer
Ans. (c) A statement of all relevant facts, including any admission or confession made by the Government servant — Explanation: Rule 14(3)(ii)(a) requires a statement of all relevant facts including any admission or confession made by the Government servant. [Ref: Rule 14(3)(ii)]
7. Besides the articles of charge and the statement of imputations, Rule 14(3) requires the disciplinary authority to prepare:
(a) A list of previous penalties imposed on the Government servant
(b) A list of documents and a list of witnesses by which the articles of charge are proposed to be sustained
(c) A list of defence witnesses the Government servant may examine
(d) A draft of the final order to be passed after the inquiry
Ans. (b) A list of documents and a list of witnesses by which the articles of charge are proposed to be sustained — Explanation: Rule 14(3) includes a list of documents and a list of witnesses by which each article of charge is proposed to be sustained. [Ref: Rule 14(3)(ii)(b)]
8. Which of the following is NOT among the papers the disciplinary authority must deliver to the Government servant under Rule 14(4)?
(a) The lists of documents and witnesses
(b) A draft of the penalty order proposed to be passed
(c) The statement of imputations of misconduct
(d) A copy of the articles of charge
Ans. (b) A draft of the penalty order proposed to be passed — Explanation: Rule 14(4) requires delivery of the articles of charge, the statement of imputations and the lists of documents and witnesses. No penalty is proposed at this stage. [Ref: Rule 14(4)]
9. As amended in 2017, Rule 14(4) requires the Government servant to submit his written statement of defence within:
(a) Thirty days of receipt of the articles of charge
(b) Such period as the inquiring authority may fix
(c) Fifteen days of receipt of the articles of charge
(d) Ten working days of receipt of the articles of charge
Ans. (c) Fifteen days of receipt of the articles of charge — Explanation: The CCS (CCA) Amendment Rules, 2017 fixed fifteen days for submitting the written statement of defence. [Ref: Rule 14(4)]
10. Under Rule 14(4) as amended in 2017, the disciplinary authority may extend the time for the written statement by:
(a) Any period it considers reasonable, without limit
(b) A further period not exceeding fifteen days at a time
(c) A further period not exceeding thirty days at a time
(d) A single extension of sixty days
Ans. (b) A further period not exceeding fifteen days at a time — Explanation: The amended rule allows extension by not more than fifteen days at a time, for reasons recorded in writing. [Ref: Rule 14(4)]
11. Under Rule 14(4), the total time allowed for filing the written statement of defence can under no circumstances exceed:
(a) Thirty days from the date of the charge sheet
(b) Ninety days from the date of the charge sheet
(c) Sixty days from the date of receipt of the articles of charge
(d) Forty-five days from the date of receipt of the articles of charge
Ans. (d) Forty-five days from the date of receipt of the articles of charge — Explanation: The 2017 amendment provides that under no circumstances shall the extension of time for filing the written statement exceed forty-five days from receipt of the articles of charge. [Ref: Rule 14(4)]
12. The time limits for filing the written statement of defence under Rule 14(4) were introduced by which notification?
(a) S.O. 3703 dated 20 November 1965
(b) G.S.R. 125(E) dated 18 February 2021
(c) G.S.R. 21(E) dated 12 January 2026
(d) G.S.R. 548(E) dated 2 June 2017
Ans. (d) G.S.R. 548(E) dated 2 June 2017 — Explanation: The CCS (CCA) Amendment Rules, 2017 were notified by G.S.R. 548(E) on 2 June 2017 and introduced time limits in Rules 14(4), 14(13) and 14(24). [Ref: Rule 14(4); G.S.R. 548(E) of 2017]
13. Besides submitting his written statement of defence, the Government servant is required under Rule 14(4) to state:
(a) Whether he will accept a minor penalty
(b) Whether he desires to be heard in person
(c) The penalty he considers appropriate
(d) The name of the inquiring authority he prefers
Ans. (b) Whether he desires to be heard in person — Explanation: Rule 14(4) requires the Government servant to submit his written statement and to state whether he desires to be heard in person. [Ref: Rule 14(4)]
14. A charged officer admits all the articles of charge in his written statement. Under Rule 14(5)(a), the disciplinary authority:
(a) Must still appoint an inquiring authority to hold a full inquiry
(b) Must refer the case to the CVC before recording findings
(c) Must drop the proceedings and issue a warning instead
(d) Records its findings on each charge after taking such evidence as it thinks fit, and acts under Rule 15
Ans. (d) Records its findings on each charge after taking such evidence as it thinks fit, and acts under Rule 15 — Explanation: Where all articles are admitted, Rule 14(5)(a) allows the disciplinary authority to record its findings on each charge after taking such evidence as it thinks fit and to proceed under Rule 15 of the Rules. [Ref: Rule 14(5)(a)]
15. A charged officer admits two of the four articles of charge and denies the other two. Under Rule 14(5)(a), the disciplinary authority may:
(a) Inquire itself, or appoint an inquiring authority, into the articles not admitted
(b) Impose a penalty at once on all four articles
(c) Wait until the officer admits the remaining articles
(d) Drop the two denied articles without inquiry
Ans. (a) Inquire itself, or appoint an inquiring authority, into the articles not admitted — Explanation: Rule 14(5)(a) provides for inquiry into such articles of charge as are not admitted, either by the disciplinary authority itself or by an inquiring authority. [Ref: Rule 14(5)(a)]
16. If the Government servant does not submit any written statement of defence within the permitted time, Rule 14(5)(b) provides that the disciplinary authority:
(a) Must treat all the charges as admitted and impose a penalty
(b) Must close the case, as no defence has been received
(c) May itself inquire into the articles of charge or appoint an inquiring authority
(d) Must issue a fresh charge sheet with a new time limit
Ans. (c) May itself inquire into the articles of charge or appoint an inquiring authority — Explanation: Non-submission of a written statement does not amount to admission; the disciplinary authority may hold the inquiry itself or through an inquiring authority. [Ref: Rule 14(5)(b)]
17. A charged officer asks for 30 more days at one go to file his written statement, soon after receiving the charge. Under the amended Rule 14(4), the disciplinary authority can:
(a) Grant 60 days, since extension is fully discretionary
(b) Grant extensions of not more than fifteen days at a time, within the overall limit of forty-five days
(c) Grant no extension, as the rules allow only fifteen days
(d) Grant the full 30 days in one order, as the request is reasonable
Ans. (b) Grant extensions of not more than fifteen days at a time, within the overall limit of forty-five days — Explanation: Extensions are allowed only up to fifteen days at a time, and the total period cannot exceed forty-five days from receipt of the articles of charge. [Ref: Rule 14(4)]
18. In Union of India v. B.V. Gopinath (2013), the Supreme Court held that a charge memorandum issued without the approval of the disciplinary authority (the Finance Minister in that case) was:
(a) Invalid, as the charge memo itself must be approved by the disciplinary authority
(b) Invalid only if the officer objected within fifteen days
(c) Valid, provided the inquiry was later completed
(d) Valid, since approval to initiate proceedings is enough
Ans. (a) Invalid, as the charge memo itself must be approved by the disciplinary authority — Explanation: The Court held that approval for initiating proceedings is not approval of the charge memorandum; the charge memo must itself be approved by the disciplinary authority, failing which it is non est. [Ref: Rule 14(3); B.V. Gopinath (2013)]
19. Articles of charge framed in vague general terms, without particulars of dates, transactions or documents, are defective mainly because:
(a) They must be in the format prescribed by the CVC
(b) They require the UPSC's approval before issue
(c) They exceed the word limit prescribed by DoPT
(d) They deny the Government servant a reasonable opportunity to defend himself
Ans. (d) They deny the Government servant a reasonable opportunity to defend himself — Explanation: Rule 14(3) requires definite and distinct charges supported by facts; vague charges prevent an effective defence and violate natural justice and Article 311(2). [Ref: Rule 14(3); Article 311(2)]
20. The requirement that a Government servant be informed of the charges against him before dismissal, removal or reduction in rank is a constitutional mandate under:
(a) Article 311(2)
(b) Article 309
(c) Article 148(5)
(d) Article 320(3)(c)
Ans. (a) Article 311(2) — Explanation: Article 311(2) requires an inquiry in which the Government servant is informed of the charges and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard; Rule 14 gives effect to it. [Ref: Article 311(2); Rule 14]
21. For the purposes of the CCS (Pension) Rules, departmental proceedings are deemed to be instituted on the date on which:
(a) The preliminary investigation is begun
(b) The inquiring authority is appointed
(c) The vigilance complaint is first received
(d) The statement of charges is issued to the Government servant
Ans. (d) The statement of charges is issued to the Government servant — Explanation: The Pension Rules treat departmental proceedings as instituted on the date the statement of charges is issued to the Government servant, or, if he was suspended earlier, the date of suspension. [Ref: CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, Rule 8]
22. Which statement about the charge sheet under Rule 14 is correct?
(a) The statement of imputations replaces the articles of charge
(b) The charge sheet must be issued by the inquiring authority
(c) The lists of witnesses are given only after the inquiry ends
(d) The disciplinary authority may hold the inquiry itself after issuing the charge sheet
Ans. (d) The disciplinary authority may hold the inquiry itself after issuing the charge sheet — Explanation: Rule 14(2) and 14(5) allow the disciplinary authority to inquire itself; the charge sheet is issued by the disciplinary authority with all papers listed in Rule 14(3) and 14(4). [Ref: Rule 14(2) to (5)]
23. Consider the following statements: (i) The statement of imputations need not mention any admission made by the Government servant. (ii) The articles of charge must be definite and distinct. Which is/are correct?
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (ii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
Ans. (b) Only (ii) — Explanation: Rule 14(3) requires definite and distinct articles of charge, and the statement of imputations must include any admission or confession made by the Government servant. [Ref: Rule 14(3)]
24. Assertion (A): Under the 2017 amendment, the written statement of defence must ordinarily be filed within fifteen days of receipt of the articles of charge. Reason (R): The disciplinary authority may extend this period without any limit for good reasons.
(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. (c) A is true but R is false — Explanation: Fifteen days is the prescribed period, but extensions are capped at fifteen days at a time and forty-five days in all. [Ref: Rule 14(4)]
25. Assertion (A): Where the Government servant admits all the articles of charge, an inquiry by an inquiring authority is still mandatory. Reason (R): Rule 14(5)(a) allows the disciplinary authority to record findings on admitted charges after taking such evidence as it thinks fit.
(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: R correctly states Rule 14(5)(a), which is why no inquiry is required where all charges are admitted; A is therefore false. [Ref: Rule 14(5)(a)]
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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.