Indian Army permits Instagram access with restrictions on posting and engagement

The Indian Army has updated its social media usage guidelines, permitting soldiers and officers to access Instagram strictly for viewing and monitoring purposes, while continuing to ban posting, liking, commenting, or any form of engagement, according to media reports.

The revised instructions have reportedly been circulated across all Army units and departments. The change is intended to help personnel stay informed and monitor online content without diluting existing security protocols. All other rules governing digital and social media activity remain unchanged.

Under the updated guidelines, personnel are also allowed to flag misleading or fake content encountered on social media to senior officers, enabling such information to be reviewed and addressed through official channels.

The Army has regularly issued advisories on social media use, particularly for platforms such as Facebook, X and Instagram. These restrictions were tightened following instances in which personnel were targeted through honey-trap operations by foreign agencies, leading to the compromise of sensitive information.

Such security concerns have shaped the Army’s long-standing, closely regulated approach to digital platforms, with access and usage remaining under strict oversight.

The issue was recently addressed by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue, where he responded to questions on balancing operational discipline with the realities of a digitally connected generation. On whether the Army is reassessing its stance as more Gen Z recruits join the force, General Dwivedi noted that smartphones have become a necessity, even within a highly regulated environment.

“When these young people come to the NDA, the first thing they do is search their cabins to find where their phones are hidden. It takes three to six months to convince them that there is life without a phone,” he was quoted as saying.

At the same time, he acknowledged the importance of smartphones in a soldier’s personal life. “We are always in the field. A soldier has to pay his child’s school fees, check on parents, speak to family. If you want to read something, how many books will you carry? Obviously, you’ll read on your phone,” he reportedly added.