In a move underscoring the Indian Army’s commitment to disciplined public discourse, the Adjutant General (AG), has issued a fresh advisory to formation commanders, urging them to exercise utmost responsibility when engaging with the media on social issues.
The directive, circulated internally on November 23, comes at a time when viral content from military personnel has increasingly drawn public and international attention. According to sources familiar with the matter, the advisory emphasizes avoiding off-the-cuff remarks on sensitive societal, cultural, or political topics that could be misconstrued or exploited in the digital age.
“Commanders must align their statements with the Army’s core values of integrity and national interest,” the advisory reportedly states, highlighting the risks of misinformation amplification on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). It reinforces existing protocols under the AG Branch, which oversees personnel welfare, discipline, and public relations, reminding leaders that media interactions should prioritize operational security and institutional unity.
The guidance targets senior officers at brigade, division, and corps levels, who often represent the force in public forums. This follows a broader push by the Ministry of Defence to train officials in proactive communication, including fact-checking collaborations with influencers to counter fake narratives. Over 900 million online users in India have been reached through such initiatives this year alone, officials noted.
