The Indian Army has issued new social media guidelines for its personnel, aiming to ensure greater security and responsible use of online platforms. The updated rules clearly define how soldiers and officers should use social media and messaging applications in their daily lives.

Under the new guidelines, Army personnel have been advised not to share their opinions, comments, or personal views on social media. They are expected to use these platforms mainly for viewing information and monitoring updates, rather than actively participating in discussions or debates.

The guidelines specifically mention popular apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Skype, Telegram, Signal, and others. For messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Skype, Telegram, and Signal, personnel are allowed to exchange only unclassified and general information. Even then, such content should be shared strictly with people they personally know. The Army has made it clear that the responsibility of correctly identifying the recipient lies with the individual user.

The Army has also cautioned that even seemingly harmless information can be misused if it falls into the wrong hands. Therefore, personnel have been urged to remain alert and careful while communicating online.

For platforms like YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Quora, and Instagram, the Army has allowed only passive use. This means soldiers can watch videos, read posts, and gather information for knowledge purposes, but they should not post, comment, like, share, or interact publicly on these platforms.

These guidelines have been issued to prevent accidental leaks of information and to reduce digital security risks. The Army believes that stricter control over social media use is necessary, as online platforms can be monitored by hostile elements.

Through these instructions, the Indian Army has once again stressed the importance of discipline in the digital space. The move reflects the Army’s ongoing efforts to protect national security and ensure that online activities of its personnel do not pose risks to operations or safety.