The Ministry of Personnel introduced new guidelines for issuing passports to members of the central civil central services on Wednesday. The guidelines prohibit the authorities concerned from giving vigilance clearance to bureaucrats who have been suspended or who have been named in criminal chargesheets.

Civil service officers who have been named in FIRs filed by investigating agencies or those who are being investigated in corruption cases will also face restrictions in securing clearance for their passports, the guidelines stated.

The guidelines also restrict officers against whom chargesheets have been issued in disciplinary proceedings. They, however, empower the competent authorities to make exceptions for officers facing disciplinary proceedings if the applicant can prove a medical emergency or situation that necessitates their presence.