The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964

9. CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT:

No Government servant shall, in any radio broadcast, telecast through any electronic media or in any document published in his own name or anonymously, pseudonymously or in the name of any other person or in any communication to the press or in any public utterance, make any statement of fact or opinion -

(i) which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central Government or a State Government:

Provided that in the case of any Government servant included in any category of Government servants specified in the second proviso to sub-rule(3) of rule 1, nothing contained in this clause shall apply to bonafide expression of views by him as an office-bearer of a trade union or association of Government servants for the purpose of safeguarding the conditions of service of such Government servants or for securing an improvement thereof; or

(ii) which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any State; or

(iii) which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and the Government of any foreign State;

Provided that nothing in this rule shall apply to any statements made or views expressed by a Government servant in his official capacity or in the due performance of the duties assigned to him.

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