IAS, IPS, and IFoS officers who go on study leave must now abide by amended guidelines from the Centre; failure to do so would result in disciplinary and other negative consequences. The action was taken after the Centre became aware of situations in which some all-India service officers did not completely uphold the spirit of the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968, while they were on study leave. Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) are the three all-India services (AIS).
According to a Personnel ministry order, these officers must now state in writing that they will abide by the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and the standards for behaviour while on study leave as part of a revised bond; failing to do so will subject them to disciplinary action.
Accordingly, it was stated in the order sent to the chief secretaries of all states that the bond that must be signed before going on study leave has been revised, where a member of the service shall, among other things, promise to follow the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and the guidelines on conduct while on study leave. The part of the undertaking to be provided by the officers states, “I am fully aware that should I be found in contravention of the conduct rules or the guidelines on conduct during study leave as prescribed, I shall be liable for disciplinary action to be initiated against me.”
It goes on to say, “I also hereby undertake that I understand that, in case of violation of the conduct rules or the said guidelines, further consequential action may also lie against me, including such violation being considered during the process of empanelment in central government, being recalled from study leave, and/or being barred from future study leave and optional training programmes.”
“The member of service is expected to exercise discretion in his/her interactions with foreign nationals and/or mission and in his/her interactions on social media,” reads the guidelines, adding that such officers shall not overstay beyond the period of the approved leave.
The personnel ministry said before forwarding the proposal of ex-India study leave of any member of service to the central government, the state governments shall satisfy themselves that the member of service fulfils all requisite conditions for the grant of study leave.
“They will also exercise due diligence to ensure that the proposed study course is relevant to the officer’s area of work and future career growth and is in the public interest, before seeking approval of the central government under AIS (Study Leave) Regulations, 1960,” it said.
According to a recent directive that was also sent to the Home secretary and Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, state governments may wish to ascertain the suitability of the member of service before submitting proposals for the consideration of the Union government.
