Parliament Question: Holding of Elective Office by Government Servants

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.491 (ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026) HOLDING OF ELECTIVE OFFICE BY GOVERNMENT SERVANTS 491. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE: Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state: (a) whether OM Nos. 11013/1/2016-Estt.A-III dated 27th February, 2020 and 5th August, 2019 of DoPT limit a Government servant to a maximum of two terms or five years, whichever is earlier, when holding an elective office and is prior sanction required for such positions; (b) whether this restriction solely applicable to Government-affiliated sports associations/federations or it extend to other types of organisations such as Durga Puja Samities, Ram Leela Committees and Jagran Committees formed by the Government servants/retired Government servants and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether this rule also apply to private associations/federations where a Government servant is a member and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether this rule also applicable to religious organisations such as Puja Samities, Ram Leela Committees and Jagran Committees regardless of whether they are registered under the Trust/Societies Act or are unregistered; (e) if so, whether it similarly restrict Government servants from holding elective office in that organisation (Puja Samities, etc.) for more than two terms or five years, whichever is earlier and if so, the details thereof; and (f) whether any prior permission is being mandatory and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) to (f): The Government has issued instructions to all Ministries/ Department that a Government servant may hold elective office in any body, whether incorporated or not, for a period of two terms or for a period of 5 years, whichever is earlier, for which prior sanction would be required when a Government servant contests an election in such body as per existing rules. It is necessary for the Competent Authority to keep in mind all the relevant factors while granting permission under Rule 15(1) (c) of Central Civil Service (Conduct) Rules 1964. *****