Vigilance Manual 2026 – Ninth Edition by Central Vigilance Commission

Vigilance Manual 2026 – Ninth Edition by Central Vigilance Commission

VIGILANCE MANUAL
2026

CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION

[NINTH EDITION]

FOREWORD

The Central Vigilance Commission has brought out Vigilance Manuals comprising various rules, instructions, guidelines and judicial pronouncements to facilitate uniformity, consistency and transparency in handling of vigilance administration from time to time. The Manual aims to strengthen Preventive Vigilance, promote ethical decision-making and enhance public confidence in organisations. The first edition of the Vigilance Manual was published in 1968. The latest (eighth) edition of the Vigilance Manual was brought out in 2021.

During the last 5 years since 2021, many new developments, policy initiatives and clarifications have taken place. A number of new guidelines, both by the Government and the Commission, have been issued. For example, Manuals of Procurement of Goods, Works, Consultancy and non-Consultancy Services of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance; Updation of CCS (Pension) Rules; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam have replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act; fresh I revised instructions I guidelines issued by the Government; changes in guidelines in Banking and Insurance, etc. The Commission has also consolidated, updated and revised its earlier guidelines, circulars, public notices, etc. in the form of Master Circulars and Public Notices.

The need was felt to update the Vigilance Manual accordingly to bring about ease of reference and consolidate latest provisions and provide a comprehensive reference book for management as well as those involved in the vigilance administration. Since Commission has also consolidated the previous guidelines in the form of Master Circulars, the Vigilance Manual shall be read with the consolidated Master Circulars.

The Manual should serve as ready reference for vigilance functionaries. It is intended to supplement the applicable statutory provisions, government instructions and guidelines issued by the competent authorities and should not be construed as a substitute for them.

The Commission is hopeful that this Manual will contribute significantly to strengthening vigilance administration and fostering a culture of integrity, accountability and excellence within the Ministries / Departments / Organisations.

(Praveen Vashista)
VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER

(A.S. Jeev)
VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER

(K Srivastava)
CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER

New Delhi
Dated : the 23rd July, 2026

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Central Vigilance Commission has updated and revised the Vigilance Manual. The Commission has also consolidated, updated and revised its earlier guidelines, circulars, public notices etc. in the form of Master Circulars and Public Notices.

The Commission acknowledges the contribution of Sh. Praveen Sinha, IPS (Retd.), Former Spl. Director, CBI and Sh. A. K. Rath, CVO, State Bank of India for sparing their time and for contributing to the finalisation of the drafts of the Vigilance Manual and Master Circulars.

The Commission also acknowledges the contribution of the drafting committee consisting of Sh. Rajiv Verma, Consultant, CVC (Former Director, CVC), Sh. Ajai Kumar Verma, Director, CVC, Sh. Arvind Kumar, Officer on Special Duty, CVC for their efforts in going through all the earlier circulars, collating and compiling the relevant information and for drafting the Vigilance Manual and Master Circulars.

The Commission also acknowledges the contribution of a host of officers of the Commission, Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) and vigilance functionaries of various organisations, who have given suggestions and inputs for the finalization of the Vigilance Manual and Master Circulars.

The Commission also acknowledges the efforts of the staff of the Commission for rendering secretarial and technical assistance and the Hindi Division for translating the Vigilance Manual and Master Circulars.