Jammu : The Indian Army has revised its social media guidelines, allowing its personnel to sign up on Instagram, but strictly as “passive observers,” sources in the defence establishment said on Thursday.
Under the updated rules, Army personnel across all ranks may view content on Instagram but are prohibited from posting, commenting, liking, or engaging in any form of user-generated activity on the platform. The move is aimed at enhancing digital awareness among soldiers while preventing any inadvertent disclosure of sensitive information.
The revised guidelines were introduced a few days ago and are part of the Army’s efforts to adapt to the evolving information environment without compromising operational security. “Personnel can observe and consume information, but any interaction that creates a digital footprint is not permitted,” a source explained.
Earlier, Army personnel were allowed to sign up on X (formerly Twitter) under similar restrictions, where they can only view posts without posting, reposting, or commenting. Instagram, however, was previously not permitted at all.
“The information age is rapidly evolving, and the Army cannot remain isolated from the digital world,” a source said, adding that social media platforms help soldiers stay informed about national and global developments.
At the same time, strict safeguards remain in place to ensure that no sensitive or classified information is shared, even unintentionally.
During an interactive session at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue in November, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi had highlighted the importance of smartphones in today’s era, while cautioning against impulsive online behaviour.
He noted that smartphones are essential for soldiers to stay connected with their families, access information, and read e-books, but stressed the need to distinguish between “reacting impulsively” and “responding thoughtfully.”
Referring to the younger generation, General Dwivedi said Gen Z soldiers are socially conscious, digitally fluent, and globally connected, and will play a key role in building a Viksit Bharat.
