On December 17, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an office order, effective immediately, appointing Shri Manish Shiva Zole, Deputy Director (PIB), as Chief of Media & Communications (CMC). This appointment, made in pursuance of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting D.O. No. M-20011/10/2025-Press dated 12.11.2025, designates the CMC as the Single Point of Contact for all media engagements and information dissemination via print, TV, radio, digital media, and other platforms. The CMC will report directly to Secretary (MeitY) and coordinate with AS/JS/GC regarding Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) matters. All divisions of MeitY will route their media plans through the CMC. Expenditure on TA/DA during official tours and working arrangements will be borne by MeitY, as per entitlement.
The order is addressed to Shri Manish Shiva Zole, AS(AS)/AS(Pers.), all Group Coordinators of MeitY, Dir(Pers.)/Dir(NK)/Dir(VT)/Dir(MYSK), Dir(Pers.III)/DS(Fin.)/DS(Genl. Admn.)/US(GC)/US(O&M)/SO(Pers.I)/SO(Pers.II), PAO/DDO, and the Intra-MeitY Portal/MeitY Website Cell. Copies have been sent for information to 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. Contact is P Victor Albuquerque, Deputy Secretary (Pers.).
Attached to the order is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which outlines the roles and duties of the CMC, including conceptualizing, planning, and releasing funds for paid and unpaid campaigns. These campaigns include advertisement through Print media, electronic media, outdoor media, digital media. The CMC will coordinate with CBC for the preparation of the Media Plan. The CMC will also advise Ministries on the design and implementation of communication campaigns, drafting and issuing press releases, organizing press conferences, maintaining media liaison, publishing Op-Eds, fact checking, media planning for events, conducting press tours, monitoring and feedback, and inter-agency coordination. The CMC will coordinate 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. The CMC shall be assisted by a team of officials from the client Ministry for carrying out the role and shall have an office in the client Ministry.
Key Entities Referenced
Chief of Media & Communications (CMC): Single point of contact for media engagements and information dissemination for each Ministry/Department.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): The ministry for which the CMC is being appointed, and which will directly manage CMC matters (expenditure, approval).
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The ministry whose initiative is resulting in the CMC appointments across Government of India.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): Organization whose officers are being designated as CMCs in various ministries.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC): Subject matter for which the CMC coordinates efforts and manages budgets.