Indian Army allows Instagram viewing for soldiers, keeps ban on posting, interaction
New Delhi: The Indian Army has quietly updated its social media policy, allowing soldiers and officers to access Instagram, but strictly as silent viewers. According to sources, personnel can use the platform only to watch and monitor content. Posting, liking or commenting remains prohibited, and all existing rules governing digital behaviour continue to apply.
The revised instructions have been circulated across army units and departments. The objective, sources said, is to let soldiers stay informed, track developments online and build awareness, without compromising operational security. Personnel are also permitted to flag fake, misleading or suspicious posts to senior officers.
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The Army has, over the years, repeatedly tightened and revised its social media guidelines, especially for platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The restrictions stem from security concerns, particularly instances where soldiers were targeted through “honey traps” by hostile foreign agencies, resulting in the inadvertent sharing of sensitive information.
Responding to a question on how the forces balance discipline with the digital habits of Generation Z, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently addressed the issue at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue.
Acknowledging the challenge, General Dwivedi said young cadets arriving at the National Defence Academy often struggle to part with their phones. “It takes three to six months to convince them that there is life without a phone,” he remarked, while adding that smartphones today are also a necessity.
The Army chief stressed how important smartphones are for preserving family ties, while noting that phones are useful tools for reading, learning, and handling personal obligations. He also mentioned that soldiers deployed in remote areas rely on their phones to view photos of their newborn children, check on ageing parents, or maintain contact with their wives.
However, General Dwivedi drew a firm line when it comes to engaging on social media. He emphasised the difference between “reacting” and “responding,” cautioning soldiers against impulsive online responses. “Reacting is immediate. Responding involves thought and analysis,” he said, adding that army personnel are currently permitted to use platforms like X only for viewing, not replying. “Reply after you retire,” he remarked, describing this restraint as a strategic message to adversaries: the Army does not react, it responds.
Army personnel were barred from joining any social media groups until 2019. Following repeated cases of misuse, the rules were further tightened in 2020, with soldiers instructed to delete 89 mobile applications. Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre told Parliament in 2017, that social media guidelines were framed to safeguard information and prevent misuse.
Over time, limited access has been restored under strict supervision. Platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Quora, Telegram and WhatsApp are now permitted, but only within clearly defined boundaries. The Army also runs its own official social media handles, which serve as authorised sources of information.
Under the updated framework, soldiers may use social media to gather general information, upload resumes or explore professional opportunities, provided all security protocols are strictly followed and no instructions are violated.
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Mother, daughter clear 2nd PUC together in Bantwal
Bantwal: In a rare and notable achievement, a mother and her daughter from Bantwal taluk have passed the 2nd PUC examinations in the same year.
Hemashree R, a student of Government Pre-University College in B Mooda, appeared for the examination in the Arts stream and scored 562 marks out of 600. She is reported to have topped her college.
Her mother, Nethravathi VR, a resident of Kaikamba in BC Road, also appeared for the examination this year as a private candidate with the aim of completing her 2nd PUC.
Nethravathi’s husband Ravikumar, who serves as the head teacher of Nandavara Government Primary School, expressed happiness and pride over the achievement of both his wife and daughter.
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