NEW DELHI: Officers belonging to All-India Services (AIS) like IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service will now be required to give an undertaking that they shall strictly comply with the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and the prescribed guidelines for conduct during study leave. The guidelines expect officers to exercise discretion in their interactions with foreign nationals, mission and on social media.
The officer will undertake that any violation of the conduct rules and guidelines will make him liable for disciplinary or consequential actions.
“Instances have come to notice of certain AIS officers not conducting themselves fully in consonance with the spirit of the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968 while on study leave,” the department of personnel and training (DoPT) stated in a communication sent to all state chief secretaries on Monday. “It is, therefore, appropriate that guidelines on conduct during study leave to be scrupulously adhered to by AIS officers, be prescribed,” it said adding that the bond to be executed by AIS officers before proceeding on study leave, both in and out of India, has been accordingly revised to include an undertaking that the AIS conduct rules and guidelines shall be fully complied with.
As per the undertaking, any failure to adhere to the conduct rules and guidelines may make the officer liable for disciplinary action and further consequential action including such violation being taken into account during the process of empanelment in Central Government, getting re-called from study leave and/or debarment from future study leave and optional training programs.
As per guidelines now prescribed for conduct of AIS officers on study leave, they are expected to display exemplary conduct and strictly abide by AIS conduct rules; display a level of maturity and sensitivity befitting a senior officer; and exercise discretion in their interactions with foreign nationals, mission and on social media. The guidelines require officers to be properly briefed by the cadre controlling authority, not overstay beyond the period of approved leave; and submit a detailed report to the cadre controlling authority after completion of the training or course.
DoPT in its communication to the state chief secretaries also asked the state governments to do due diligence before forwarding the proposal of ex-India study leave of any member of service to the Central government. This includes satisfying themselves that the officer fulfils all requisite conditions for grant of study leave and ensuring that the proposed study course is relevant to the officer’s area of work and future career growth and is in public interest. State governments may also like to satisfy themselves regarding the suitability of the officer and may ensure that he/she is properly briefed prior to the study leave, said DoPT.
The officer will undertake that any violation of the conduct rules and guidelines will make him liable for disciplinary or consequential actions.
“Instances have come to notice of certain AIS officers not conducting themselves fully in consonance with the spirit of the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968 while on study leave,” the department of personnel and training (DoPT) stated in a communication sent to all state chief secretaries on Monday. “It is, therefore, appropriate that guidelines on conduct during study leave to be scrupulously adhered to by AIS officers, be prescribed,” it said adding that the bond to be executed by AIS officers before proceeding on study leave, both in and out of India, has been accordingly revised to include an undertaking that the AIS conduct rules and guidelines shall be fully complied with.
As per the undertaking, any failure to adhere to the conduct rules and guidelines may make the officer liable for disciplinary action and further consequential action including such violation being taken into account during the process of empanelment in Central Government, getting re-called from study leave and/or debarment from future study leave and optional training programs.
As per guidelines now prescribed for conduct of AIS officers on study leave, they are expected to display exemplary conduct and strictly abide by AIS conduct rules; display a level of maturity and sensitivity befitting a senior officer; and exercise discretion in their interactions with foreign nationals, mission and on social media. The guidelines require officers to be properly briefed by the cadre controlling authority, not overstay beyond the period of approved leave; and submit a detailed report to the cadre controlling authority after completion of the training or course.
DoPT in its communication to the state chief secretaries also asked the state governments to do due diligence before forwarding the proposal of ex-India study leave of any member of service to the Central government. This includes satisfying themselves that the officer fulfils all requisite conditions for grant of study leave and ensuring that the proposed study course is relevant to the officer’s area of work and future career growth and is in public interest. State governments may also like to satisfy themselves regarding the suitability of the officer and may ensure that he/she is properly briefed prior to the study leave, said DoPT.
