The Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966 set out how every railway servant must behave on and off duty. A breach of these rules is 'misconduct', and misconduct is dealt with under the Discipline & Appeal Rules, 1968.
Rule 3: The Three Basic Duties
| Every railway servant shall at all times | Typical breaches |
|---|---|
| Maintain absolute integrity | Bribery, corruption, theft, forgery, misappropriation, tampering with records, leaking secret information |
| Maintain devotion to duty | Unauthorised absence, negligence, delaying work on flimsy grounds; any absence must be reported to the controlling officer within 48 hours of the last duty |
| Do nothing unbecoming of a railway servant | Any act the disciplinary authority considers improper |
- Since 2015 Rule 3 also lists wider values: upholding the Constitution, political neutrality, honesty, accountability and transparency, courtesy to the public, decisions on merit only, declaring private interests, confidentiality, and the highest professionalism.
- A supervisor must take all possible steps to ensure the integrity and devotion to duty of staff under him.
- A superior's directions should ordinarily be in writing; an oral direction must be confirmed in writing immediately afterwards.
- Rule 3A: no discourtesy and no wilful delay in official work. Rule 3B: follow government policy on age of marriage, environment, wildlife, cultural heritage and crimes against women.
- Rule 3C: sexual harassment of women at the workplace is prohibited, and the person in charge of a workplace must take steps to prevent it.
Restrictions Rule by Rule
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| 4 | Do not use your position to get a family member a job in a company or firm that has dealings with the government |
| 5 | No membership of a political party, no part in any political movement, election campaign or canvassing |
| 6 | No joining an association whose objects are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India or public order |
| 7 | No demonstration prejudicial to sovereignty or involving contempt of court; peaceful meetings outside office premises and hours are not interfered with |
| 8 | No owning or editing a newspaper or electronic media without previous sanction; when writing or speaking, make clear the views are your own |
| 9 | No public criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central or State Government |
| 10 | No evidence before a private inquiry without sanction (allowed before government, Parliament, judicial and departmental inquiries) |
| 11 | No unauthorised communication of official information |
| 12 | No collecting subscriptions or funds without previous sanction |
| 13 / 13A | Gifts (see table below); giving or taking dowry is prohibited |
| 14 | No receiving complimentary addresses or attending entertainments held in your honour without sanction |
| 15 / 15A | No private trade, business or other employment without sanction; no sub-letting of government accommodation |
| 16 | No speculation in shares (occasional investment through licensed brokers is allowed); no lending at interest; no borrowing from persons with official dealings |
| 17 | Avoid habitual indebtedness; report any legal proceeding for debt or insolvency at once |
| 18 | Submit a return of assets on first appointment; report movable property transactions above 2 months' basic pay within 1 month |
| 19 | No going to court or the press to vindicate an official act without sanction (private character may be defended, with a report to government) |
| 20 | No bringing political or outside influence on superiors in service matters |
| 21 | No marriage to a person who has a living spouse, and no second marriage while one's own spouse is living (unless the government permits under personal law); marriage to a foreign national must be reported |
| 22 / 22A | No intoxicating drink or drug in a public place or on duty; no employing a child below 14 years |
| 23 | The power to interpret these rules rests with the President |
Gifts (Rule 13)
'Gift' includes free transport, boarding, lodging or any other pecuniary advantage from anyone other than a near relative or personal friend with no official dealings. A railway servant may accept gifts within these limits without sanction:
| Group | On weddings, anniversaries, funerals, religious functions | In any other case |
|---|---|---|
| A | Rs 25,000 | Rs 5,000 |
| B | Rs 15,000 | Rs 5,000 |
| C (and former D) | Rs 7,500 | Rs 2,000 |
Exam Focus
Frequently asked: the three duties of Rule 3; report absence within 48 hours; movable property above 2 months' basic pay to be reported within 1 month; gift limits (Group C: Rs 7,500 on family occasions, Rs 2,000 otherwise); no employing a child below 14; seeking insolvency court help without permission makes one liable to removal; interpretation rests with the President.