The Karnataka government has warned its employees to dress “decently” at work or face disciplinary action, issuing a formal circular after receiving complaints about inappropriate workplace attire in government offices.
The directive, issued on Thursday by the Department of Personnel Administration and Reforms (DPAR), was sent to heads of departments, deputy commissioners, senior secretaries, the Chief Minister’s Office and district-level officials, outlining a set of dos and don’ts for state employees.
According to the circular, the department has received complaints from members of the public and organisations that some government employees were dressed indecently, undermining the image of the administration. “Though the employees are told to wear decent outfits, many are not following the instructions. We have taken it seriously,” the communication said.
Officials said that while government offices do not have a formal dress code like corporate workplaces, certain forms of attire were deemed unacceptable. “Some youngsters dress like college-goers, which is not acceptable. They wear torn jeans, sleeveless dresses and outfits that are too tight,” officials said.
Employee representatives have welcomed the move. C S Shadakshari, president of the Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association, said the advisory was necessary. “One’s dress should not embarrass others. Decency should be maintained in government offices,” he said.
Beyond attire, the circular also flagged lapses in adherence to existing attendance and accountability rules. It noted that the government had already introduced a movement register and a cash declaration register, but compliance remained uneven.
The movement register is intended to track attendance and movement during office hours. Employees are expected to report to work by 10:10 am and remain at their desks until the end of the working day. Any official movement outside the office during working hours must be recorded in the register, the circular said.
Under the cash declaration register, employees are required to declare the amount of cash they carry when entering and leaving the office, a measure aimed at improving transparency and accountability.
The government’s renewed emphasis on workplace conduct and procedural discipline signals tighter oversight of day-to-day functioning in state offices, as authorities seek to reinforce professionalism and public trust in the administration.