Dated December 17, 2025, this office order from the Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), MS(O&M) Section, announces the appointment of Shri Manish Shiva Zole, Deputy Director (PIB), as the Chief of Media & Communications (CMC) for MeitY, effective immediately. This appointment follows Ministry of Information and Broadcasting D.O. No. M-20011/10/2025-Press dated 12.11.2025, enclosed with this order.
The CMC will serve as the Single Point of Contact for all media-related matters and information dissemination across various platforms. He will report directly to the Secretary (MeitY) and coordinate with AS/JS/GC on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) matters. Divisions of MeitY must route their media plans through the CMC. MeitY will cover TA/DA expenses for the CMC's official travel as per his entitlement.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the CMC outlines several key responsibilities:
1. Conceptualising, Planning and Release of Funds.
2. Media Plan and Execution (in coordination with CBC).
3. Creatives (using CBC panel agencies).
4. Campaign Strategy.
5. Drafting & Issuing Press Releases, Rejoinders, FAQs.
6. Organizing Press Conferences and Media Interactions.
7. Media Liaison & Coordination.
8. Publishing of Op-Eds.
9. Fact Checking (in coordination with the Fact Check Unit of PIB)
10. Media Plan for Events.
11. Conducting Press Tours.
12. Monitoring & Feedback.
13. Inter-Agency Coordination.
14. Administrative & Logistical Roles.
15. Budget & Accounting.
16. Team with CMC.
The CMC will coordinate with the client Ministry for planning annual budget for IEC activities under 'Advertisement & Publicity' and with the Ministry to place 40% of Advertisement & Publicity funds with the Ministry of I&B as per the DoE OM No. 7/53/2019-BA dated 30.04.2025.
For further information, contact secy.inb@nic.in.
Copies of the order are distributed to various officials within MeitY, including Shri Manish Shiva Zole, AS(AS)/AS(Pers.), all Group Coordinators, designated Directors, Dir(Pers.III)/DS(Fin.)/DS(Genl. Admn.)/US(GC)/US(O&M)/SO(Pers.I)/SO(Pers.II), PAO/DDO, Intra-MeitY Portal/MeitY Website Cell, as well as DG, NIC/DG, STQC Dte., CEO(UIDAI)/DG(ICERT)/CCA, CEOs of all Autonomous Societies and Companies under MeitY, PS to MEIT/PS to MOS(E&IT), OSD/PPS to Secretary and All DS's/US's.
The order is issued with the approval of Secretary (MeitY). The Deputy Secretary (Pers.) is P Victor Albuquerque.
Key Entities Referenced
Chief of Media & Communications (CMC): Single point of contact for media engagement and information dissemination in each Ministry/Department.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): Appointing authority and principal ministry for the new CMC position (example of ministry using the structure).
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: Sets guidelines, provides framework, and coordinates with the CMC structure across ministries.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Document outlining the roles and responsibilities of the Chief of Media & Communications.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): Agency with officers who will be designated as Chief of Media & Communications in each ministry.