Maharashtra Issues New Guidelines for Government Employees

Quick Summary

• The Maharashtra government issued guidelines for social media use by government employees.
• Employees are prohibited from criticizing current or recent policies of the State or Union governments.
• The rules emphasize separating personal and professional social media accounts, avoiding banned apps, and refraining from using official designations, logos, uniforms, or assets in personal posts.
• Sharing offensive, defamatory content or confidential government documents without prior approval is strictly forbidden.
• Messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram may be utilized for intra-office communication but only responsibly.
• Self-praise related to participation in projects should be avoided in any posts about government work successes.
• Disciplinary actions will be enforced under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979 for violations of these directives.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The newly released guidelines by the Maharashtra government reflect an increasing emphasis on maintaining control over information dissemination while ensuring responsible conduct on social media among its workforce. By delineating clear boundaries between professional portrayal and personal activity online,these directives aim to prevent reputational risks as well as potential misuse of sensitive information.

While promoting transparency within administrative communications is a noble goal, balancing this with individual freedom to express opinions on public policy remains a delicate task. Government employees are stewards of trust for their organizations but also citizens entitled to certain freedoms; so these measures require careful implementation to avoid concerns over excessive policing and curtailment of expression rights. Importantly, strict disciplinary provisions underscore the seriousness with which compliance is expected moving forward.

Published – July 29, 2025

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