Appointment of Chief of Media & Communications

As per the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Office Order No. HH-18/2/2025-Personnel, dated December 17, 2025, Shri Manish Shiva Zole, Deputy Director (PIB), has been appointed as Chief of Media & Communications (CMC) for MeitY. This appointment is in pursuance of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting D.O. No. M-20011/10/2025-Press dated November 12, 2025. The CMC will serve as the Single Point of Contact for all media engagements and information dissemination across print, TV, radio, digital media, and other platforms. The CMC will report directly to the Secretary (MeitY) and coordinate with AS/JS/GC dealing with Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) matters. All Divisions of MeitY are required to route their media plans through the CMC. The expenditure on TA/DA and other working arrangements for the CMC will be borne by MeitY. **The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the role and duties of Chief of Media & Communications (CMC)** include: * **Conceptualizing, Planning and release of Funds**: The CMC in each Ministry would lead all the paid Campaign of the Ministry in terms of planning, conceptualising, and budgeting. CMC will coordinate with the Ministry for earmarking funds for campaigns, approval of media plan and creatives, schedule of campaigns and related matters. The Paid Media Campaigns include advertisement through Print media, electronic media, outdoor media, digital media besides social media or such verticals as specified. Requirements of the Ministry related to impact assessment of campaigns, if required, may also be treated as part of paid campaigns. * **Media Plan and Execution**: CMC shall coordinate with CBC for the preparation of the Media Plan. CMC shall give its requirements to the CBC alongwith budget outlay in a specific format to be provided by CBC. * **Creatives**: CBC maintains a panel of Agencies for production of creatives. * **Campaign Strategy**: Advise Ministries on the design and implementation of communication campaigns for flagship schemes and initiatives. * **Drafting & Issuing Press Releases, Rejoinders, FAQs etc**: Draft and issue press releases, rejoinders, FAQs, and other official communications related to Government policies and programmes. * **Organizing Press Conferences and Media Interactions**: Organize press conferences, media briefings, and interviews of Ministers, Ministers of State, and Secretaries. * **Media Liaison & Coordination**: Maintain active contact with journalists, editors, and media representatives. * **Publishing of Op-Eds**: Coordinate publication of Op-Eds authored by Ministers, Ministers of State, Secretaries, and experts. * **Fact Checking**: Collaborate with the Fact Check Unit of PIB to identify misinformation or false narratives in media or online platforms. * **Media Plan for Events**: Prepare detailed media plans for events organized by Ministries or Departments. * **Conducting Press Tours**: Plan and organize press tours to project sites, field locations, and beneficiary areas. * **Monitoring & Feedback**: Monitor print, electronic, and digital media for coverage related to assigned Ministries or Departments. * **Inter-Agency Coordination**: Coordinate with the Ministry's Media Cell, Minister's Office, and Secretary's Office for unified communication efforts. * **Administrative & Logistical Roles**: Supervise and guide supporting staff in day-to-day media-related activities. * **Budget & Accounting**: CMC will coordinate with the client Ministry for planning annual budget for IEC activities under 'Advertisement & Publicity'. * **Team with CMC**: The CMC shall be assisted by a team of officials from the client Ministry for carrying out the role. The correspondence from Sanjay Jaju, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, included his email address as secy.inb@nic.in, and telephone number 011-23383393.

Key Entities Referenced