Execution of Bond for availing Study Leave

No. 11020/02/2023-AIS-III
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
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The government has revised guidelines for IAS, IPS, and IFoS officers taking study leave. It is now mandatory for these officers to adhere to the service rules, failure of which will result in disciplinary actions. This decision was made due to instances where some all India service officers did not fully comply with the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968 during study leave. As part of the revised bond, officers must now commit to following the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and the guidelines on conduct during study leave. Failure to do so will lead to disciplinary action. The personnel ministry has issued this order to the chief secretaries of all states. The officers will also be expected to display maturity, sensitivity, and discretion in their interactions, including with foreign nationals and on social media. The state governments must ensure that the officer fulfills the necessary conditions and that the proposed study course is relevant to their work and future career growth. Proper briefing before the officer proceeds on study leave is also advised.

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 7th June, 2023

To,
Chief Secretaries of all the State Governments;

Subject: Execution of Bond for availing Study Leave under AIS (Study Leave) Regulations, 1960.

Sir / Madam,

I am directed to refer to the provisions of Regulations 9(i) of the AIS (Study Leave) Regulations, 1960, regarding execution of a bond by Member of Service before proceeding on Study Leave.

2. Instances have come to notice of certain All India Service officers not conducting themselves fully in consonance with the spirit of the AIS (Conduct) Rules, 1968 while on study leave.

3. It is, therefore, appropriate that Guidelines on conduct during Study Leave to be scrupulously adhered to by AIS officers be prescribed. The bond to be executed before proceeding on Study Leave has accordingly been revised, where a Member of Service shall, inter-alia, undertake to abide by the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and the Guidelines on conduct during Study Leave contained in the Annexure to the revised bond.

4. 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 fulfills all requisite conditions for 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 public interest, before seeking approval of the Central Government under AIS (Study Leave) Regulations, 1960. State Governments may also like to satisfy themselves regarding the suitability of the Member of Service before forwarding proposals for consideration of the Central Government.

5. The State Governments are also advised to ensure that the Member of Service is properly briefed before he / she proceeds on Study Leave.

6. This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.

Yours Faithfully,

(Ram Lakhan)
Under Secretary to the Government of India