Dated December 17, 2025, an Office Order from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announces the appointment of Shri Manish Shiva Zole, Deputy Director (PIB), as the Chief of Media & Communications (CMC) for MeitY. This appointment is made in pursuance of 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. The CMC will report directly to Secretary (MeitY) and coordinate with AS/JS/GC on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) matters. All MeitY divisions are required to route their media plans through the CMC.
Expenditure on TA/DA and other working arrangements for the CMC will be borne by MeitY.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) details the roles and duties of the CMC, encompassing:
* **Conceptualising, Planning and release of Funds**: Leads paid campaigns, coordinates funding, and manages advertising through various media.
* **Media Plan and Execution**: Coordinates with CBC for media plan preparation and execution.
* **Creatives**: Engages agencies for creative production through CBC.
* **Campaign Strategy**: Advises on communication campaigns, assists in theme development, and aligns strategies.
* **Drafting & Issuing Press Releases, Rejoinders, FAQs**: Prepares official communications and coordinates with the Research Unit for accurate information dissemination.
* **Organizing Press Conferences and Media Interactions**: Manages press events and facilitates interactions between ministers, secretaries, and journalists.
* **Media Liaison & Coordination**: Maintains contact with media representatives and ensures accurate and balanced coverage.
* **Publishing of Op-Eds**: Coordinates the publication of articles, facilitates placement in newspapers, and highlights achievements.
* **Fact Checking**: Collaborates with the PIB for fact-checking and issues clarifications.
* **Media Plan for Events**: Prepares media plans for events and facilitates media participation.
* **Conducting Press Tours**: Organizes press tours to project sites.
* **Monitoring & Feedback**: Monitors media coverage and provides feedback.
* **Inter-Agency Coordination**: Coordinates with various media units and ministry offices.
* **Administrative & Logistical Roles**: Supervises staff, manages logistics, and maintains databases.
* **Budget & Accounting**: Plans annual budgets and manages funds.
* **Team with CMC**: Assisted by a team from the Ministry; all IEC and 'Advertisement & Publicity' files shall be routed through the team.
The CMC will be assisted by a team of officials and provided with an office within the Ministry.
Key Entities Referenced
Chief of Media & Communications (CMC): Single Point of Contact in each Ministry for media engagements and information dissemination, responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing media campaigns.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): The ministry to which the Chief of Media & Communications (CMC) is appointed and for which the CMC will act as Single Point of Contact for media and communications.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The ministry that initiated the establishment of CMCs across all ministries and the ministry with which MeitY's CMC interacts.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Document outlining the roles and duties of the Chief of Media & Communications (CMC).
Central Bureau of Communication (CBC): The agency that CMC shall coordinate with for the preparation of the Media Plan.