Can central government employees publish books and earn money from them?

Yes, central government employees can publish books and earn from the royalties or sales of their published works. However, there are certain rules and regulations that they need to follow while doing so.

According to the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, a central government employee is required to obtain prior permission from the government before publishing a book or any other literary work. The permission is required to ensure that the publication of the book does not violate any official secrets or confidential information that the employee may have access to in their official capacity.

The employee is also required to submit the manuscript of the book to the appropriate authority for scrutiny before publication. This is to ensure that the content of the book is in line with the government's policies and does not contain any material that is against the interest of the government.

Once the employee receives permission to publish the book, they are free to earn royalties or sales proceeds from the publication. However, any income earned from the publication of the book must be declared as per the income tax rules and regulations.

It is also important to note that the employee should not use their official position or influence to promote the book or seek any favors in the publication process. Doing so may lead to disciplinary action against the employee.

In summary, central government employees can publish books and earn from them, but they need to follow the rules and regulations outlined in the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. They must obtain prior permission from the government, submit the manuscript for scrutiny, and ensure that they do not use their official position to promote the book.