The guidelines are clear that personnel can see posts and stay informed but cannot publish any “user-generated content”.

Army Personnel Can Now Join Instagram, But Only as Passive Viewers, Army Sources Confirm

The Indian Army has revised its social media guidelines to permit personnel to use Instagram, but strictly as “passive observers”, according to defence sources. Under the new policy, all ranks may access Instagram accounts to view content only; they are not allowed to post content, comment, react, or engage in any interactive activity on the platform.

A defence establishment official explained that the revision was introduced a few days ago and reflects an effort to improve soldiers’ awareness in the “digital age of information” while guarding against inadvertent leaks of sensitive information.

The guidelines are clear that personnel can see posts and stay informed but cannot publish any “user-generated content”, including likes or comments. Another defence source said that similar restrictions already apply to other platforms such as X, where army users may view but not post, repost, or comment.

Defence officials said the shift acknowledges that the Army cannot remain detached from prevalent digital communications but must balance this with operational security. They emphasised that while social media viewing can help personnel stay updated on national and global developments, strict limits are required to prevent security risks or accidental disclosure of sensitive details.

The updated policy applies across all ranks and comes amid ongoing efforts by Army leadership to define responsible digital conduct within the force.

Source: Hindustan Times