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Do I Need Permission to Buy Property? CCS Conduct Rule 18
Short answerUsually you must inform, not seek permission. Under Rule 18(2) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, you need the previous knowledge of the prescribed authority before you buy, sell, gift or lease immovable property. You need previous sanction if the deal is with a person having official dealings with you, or involves property abroad or a foreigner.
Previous Knowledge or Previous Sanction?
- You cannot acquire or dispose of immovable property by lease, mortgage, purchase, sale, gift or otherwise, in your own name or in a family member's name, without the previous knowledge of the prescribed authority (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18(2), PDF p. 14).
- If the transaction is with a person having official dealings with you, you must get the previous sanction of the prescribed authority (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18(2), proviso, PDF p. 14).
- DoPT explains that this means reporting to the prescribed authority before you enter into the transaction (DoPT OM dated 17.12.2018, para 1, PDF p. 1).
- Use Form I for immovable property and Form II for movable property (DoPT OM dated 17.12.2018, para 1, PDF p. 1).
- Property outside India, and any immovable property deal with a foreigner, foreign Government or foreign organisation, needs previous sanction (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18-A, PDF p. 15).
- For this rule, a "lease" means a lease from year to year, for more than one year, or reserving a yearly rent, unless it is with a person having official dealings with you (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18, Explanation II, PDF p. 15).
Who Is Your Prescribed Authority
| Your post | Prescribed authority |
|---|---|
| Group A | The Government, unless a lower authority is specified (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18, Explanation I(2)(a)(i), PDF p. 15) |
| Group B | Head of Department (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18, Explanation I(2)(a)(ii), PDF p. 15) |
| Group C or Group D | Head of Office (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18, Explanation I(2)(a)(iii), PDF p. 15) |
If you are on foreign service or deputation, the prescribed authority is your parent department or the Ministry to which your cadre belongs (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18, Explanation I(2)(b), PDF p. 15).
Cars, Jewellery and Other Movable Property
- If you buy or sell movable property worth more than two months' basic pay, in your name or a family member's name, report it to the prescribed authority within one month (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18(3), PDF p. 14).
- If that transaction is with a person having official dealings with you, get previous sanction (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18(3), proviso, PDF p. 14).
- Movable property includes jewellery, insurance policies with annual premium above two months' basic pay, shares, securities, debentures, all loans given or taken, cars, motor cycles and other conveyances, refrigerators, radios and television sets (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18, Explanation I(1), PDF p. 15).
- For repairs or minor additions to your house, you need to inform the prescribed authority only if the estimate exceeds the Rule 18(3) limit. If the material or the contract is with a person having official dealings with you, get prior sanction whatever the amount (DoPT OM dated 17.12.2018, para 2, PDF p. 1).
Property Returns
- On first appointment, you file a return of assets and liabilities covering immovable property, shares, cash and bank deposits, other movable property, and debts (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18(1)(i), PDF p. 13).
- This first return does not ordinarily apply to Group D employees unless the Government directs (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18(1), Note I, PDF p. 14).
- Group A and Group B employees file an annual return of immovable property held in their own name, a family member's name or any other person's name (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18(1)(ii), PDF p. 14).
- The annual return for a calendar year is due by 31 January of the next year (DoPT OM dated 14.07.2023, para 2, PDF p. 1).
- If you miss that date, vigilance clearance for empanelment, deputation, sensitive posts and non-mandatory training is denied (DoPT OM dated 14.07.2023, para 3, PDF p. 1). A later DoPT letter also lists confirmation, VRS and post-retirement commercial employment among the purposes for which clearance may be denied (DoPT D.O. dated 30.12.2024, para 2, PDF p. 1).
- Not filing can be a good and sufficient reason for disciplinary proceedings (DoPT OM dated 14.07.2023, para 5, PDF p. 1).
- The Government or the prescribed authority can ask you at any time for a full statement of your property, including the source of funds (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18(4), PDF p. 14).
- For the returns due by 31.01.2016, DoPT said returns were required from Group A, B, C and erstwhile Group D employees, using the power in Rule 18(4) (DoPT OM dated 05.01.2016, PDF p. 1).
Where to Check
Read Rule 18 and Rule 18-A in the DoPT copy of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 amended up to 31.12.2014 (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 18, PDF p. 13). The standard forms are in the DoPT OM dated 17.12.2018 (DoPT OM dated 17.12.2018, PDF p. 3). The copy in our library runs only to 31.12.2014, so check with your establishment section for any later amendment.
- Railways: these rules do not apply to railway servants (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964, Rule 1(3), proviso, PDF p. 2). The Railway Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966 have similar provisions in Rules 18 and 18-A (CVC Vigilance Manual 2021, Chapter XI, PDF p. 388).
- KVS: the CCS (Conduct) Rules apply mutatis mutandis to all Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan employees (KVS Education Code, Article 59, PDF p. 39).
- NVS and Delhi Police: ask your establishment branch which conduct rules and forms your office uses.
Related Questions
Do I need permission to buy a house or a plot?
Not usually. You must give the prescribed authority previous knowledge of the purchase. Previous sanction is needed if the seller has official dealings with you (Rule 18(2)), or if the property is outside India or the deal is with a foreigner (Rule 18-A).
How soon must I report buying a car?
Within one month of the purchase, if its value is more than two months' basic pay. If the seller has official dealings with you, take previous sanction first (Rule 18(3)).
Does property bought in my spouse's name count?
Yes. Rule 18(2) and 18(3) cover transactions in your own name or in the name of any member of your family.
Who must file the annual immovable property return?
Rule 18(1)(ii) requires it from Group A and Group B employees, by 31 January for the previous year. A DoPT OM of 05.01.2016 said returns for 2015 were required from Group A, B, C and erstwhile Group D staff under Rule 18(4), so check what your cadre controlling authority now requires.
Official Sources
- Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 (as amended up to 31.12.2014) · Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
- DoPT OM No. 11013/2/2018-Estt.A-III dated 17.12.2018: Rule 18 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, standard forms for intimation or permission · Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
- DoPT OM No. 11013/17/2023-PP.A-III dated 14.07.2023: Timely submission of Annual Immovable Property Return · Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
- DoPT D.O. No. 11013/17/2023-PP.A-III dated 30.12.2024: Timely submission of Annual Immovable Property Return · Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
- DoPT OM No. 11013/7/2014-Estt.A-III dated 05.01.2016: Submission of Immovable Property Returns · Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India
- Vigilance Manual (Updated 2021) · Central Vigilance Commission
- Education Code for Kendriya Vidyalayas, 5th Edition (August 2006), Part 1 · Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
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This article explains the official rules as published; it is not legal advice. Check the cited document, and your own department's orders, before acting.