As per the office order issued on 17.12.2025, Shri Manish Shiva Zole, Deputy Director (PIB), has been appointed as Chief of Media & Communications (CMC) for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This follows the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting D.O. No. M-20011/10/2025-Press dated 12.11.2025.
The CMC will serve as the Single Point of Contact for all media engagements and information dissemination across various platforms and will report directly to Secretary (MeitY), coordinating with AS/JS/GC for Information, Education and Communication (IEC) matters. All MeitY Divisions will route their media plans through the CMC. TA/DA and working arrangements will be handled by MeitY.
The CMC's responsibilities include leading paid Ministry campaigns (planning, conceptualizing, budgeting), coordinating with the Ministry for earmarking funds and approval of media plans and creatives. The CMC will also coordinate with CBC for media plan preparation and give its requirements to the CBC alongwith budget outlay in a specific format. Additionally, they shall coordinate with the Client Ministry for approval of the media plan and ensure allocation of funds to CBC before execution.
The communication strategies encompass drafting/issuing press releases, organizing press conferences and media interactions, media liaison, and publishing Op-Eds.
The CMC is further tasked with fact-checking, preparing media plans for events, conducting press tours, monitoring media coverage, and inter-agency coordination, and should be assisted by officials from the client Ministry, having an office in the client Ministry and handling all files related to IEC and ‘Advertisement & Publicity’.
Key Entities Referenced
Chief of Media & Communications (CMC): Single point of contact in each Ministry for media engagements and information dissemination.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): The Ministry for which the Chief of Media and Communications (CMC) has been appointed and to whom the CMC reports.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Ministry that issued the initial directive regarding streamlining communication through PIB officers, leading to the creation of the CMC role.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): Organization that supports government communication through its officers, of which the Chief of Media & Communications is selected.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Document outlining the roles and duties of the Chief of Media & Communications (CMC) in executing paid and unpaid campaigns.