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In India, the Civil Servants are bound to follow the Conduct Rules, provided in the Central Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and analogous rules apply to the officers of the All India Services and State Governments.

The code of conduct, as stated in the Conduct Rules, includes the following norms:

  • Maintaining the integrity and absolute devotion to duty and
  • Not engaging in “behavioural unbecoming of a government employee.”
  • The code of conduct is aimed at listing certain acts that are judged inappropriate for public officials.

Draft Public Service Bill, 2007:

The Draft Public Services Bill, 2007 proposes the first step towards evolving a code of ethics.

The Bill provides for:

  • Appointment to public services based on the principle of merit, and fair & open competition.
  • Public Service Code of Ethics and public service values.
  • A performance management system for public service employees.
  • Periodical review of pay structures, incentives etc.
  • The Constitution of the Central Public Services Authority has to submit an annual report to the Central Government telling the compliance with the bill’s provisions.
  • Values of Public Service: According to the draft bill, some specified values should guide the discharge of the functions of the Public Service and the Public Servants, these are as follows:

⇒ Promoting patriotism and national pride.

⇒ Obey the Indian Constitution and the law of the land.

⇒ Impartiality, objectivity, honesty, courtesy, diligence and transparency.

⇒ Maintaining absolute integrity.

2nd ARC Recommendations:

  • Apex level: There should be a clear & concise statement of values and ethical standards that a civil servant must imbibe. These values should be related to maintaining the highest ethical standards, political impartiality and accountability for actions.
  • Second level: At this level, the broad principles that must govern a civil servant’s behaviour should be outlined. This will constitute the Code of Ethics.
  • Third level: There must be a specific Code of Conduct stipulating a list of unacceptable and acceptable behaviour & actions unambiguously.
  • Values and Code of Ethics should be given statutory backing by including them in the proposed Civil Services Bill.