Code of Conduct for Civil Servants

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A code of conduct is a set of rules &

regulations that outline the standards,
responsibilities, proper practices for, an
individual, party or organisation. The code
of conduct for civil servants specifies the
clear principles as to what the Government
expects from its employees. It should be
noted that code of conduct rules apply to
both official AND personal life of the civil
servants.

Definition: Code of Conduct for Civil Servants

Code of Conduct is principles, values, standards, or rules of behavior that guide the
decisions, procedures and systems of an organisation in a way that Contributes to
the welfare of its key stakeholders & Respects the rights of all constituents
affected by its operations.

Importance of Code of Conduct for Civil Servants

1. Ensure – consistent approach – responsibilities and making decisions
2. Civil servants — special obligations — responsible for managing resources entrusted
to them by the community
3. To work as per the guidelines enhances the efficiency of the democratic system

Committees on Code of Conduct for Civil Servants in India

1) Committee on Prevention of Corruption (Santhanam Committee), 1964:

The Santhanam Committee recommended a set of Conduct Rules. Salient features of

recommendations:

Conduct Rules, particularly those relating to integrity, should be uniform.

Suggested that values like altruism and empathy for the poor, are hard to imbibe
after joining the services. These need to be instilled in childhood through various
institutions like family, school etc.

2) Hota Committee Report, 2004:

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 Code of Ethics should be laid down for the civil servants to imbue the values of
integrity, merit & excellence in public service.

3) Second Administrative Reforms Commission:

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission in its 10th report pertaining to

Values & Ethics of Civil Services in India recommended drafting a Bill on ethics to give
code of ethics a statutory basis in the form of “The Civil Services Bill”. The commission
recommended that in addition to upholding the constitutional spirit the civil servants
shall be guided by the following values:

Adherence to the highest standards of integrity & conduct

Impartiality & non-partisanship
Objectivity
Dedication to public service
Empathy & compassion towards the weaker sections

Seven principles of public life enunciated by the Nolan Committee in UK. Drawing
from these, the Commission has suggested the inclusion of the following principles in
the Code of Ethics for civil servants in India:

1. Integrity: Civil servants should be guided solely by public interest in their

official decision making and not by any financial or other consideration either in
respect of themselves, their families or their friends.

2. Impartiality: Civil servants in carrying out their official work, including

functions like procurement, recruitment, delivery of services etc, should take
decisions based on merit alone.

3. Commitment to public service: Civil servants should deliver services in a

fair, effective, impartial and courteous manner.

4. Open accountability: Civil servants are accountable for their decisions and
actions and should be willing to subject themselves to appropriate scrutiny for
this purpose.
5. Devotion to duty: Civil servants maintain absolute and unstinting devotion
towards their duties and responsibilities at all times.

6. Exemplary behaviour: Civil servants shall treat all members of the public with
respect and courtesy and, at all times, should behave in a manner that upholds
the rich traditions of the civil services.

Rules for Code of Conduct for Civil Servants in India:

United Nations has formulated a ‘Code of Conduct’ for public officials by its
resolution 58/4 of 31st Oct. 2003. The code of conduct states that “Each State party
shall promote, interalia, integrity, honesty, and responsibility among its public officials
in accordance with the fundamental principles of its legal system.”
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In India, the current set of ethical norms are the Conduct Rules, contained in the:

Central Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964

The All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968
All India Services (Conduct) Amendment Rules, 2014.

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