The Information Wing of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is mandated with the task of Information dissemination, education and communication of various Government policies and Programmes through the various media units. It also undertakes the Cadre management of Indian Information Service, Policy formulation and administration, Policy planning and Coordination with various Media Units and Autonomous Institutions of the Ministry.

Information Wing plays a significant role in dissemination of information on key policy initiatives of the Government through various modes of communication and integrating various media campaigns for better outreach and impact. It also formulates necessary policies for facilitating the growth of print media and improving its reach. This endeavour of Information Wing is achieved with the help of the Media Units under the Ministry.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is the face of the Government of India in reaching out to the masses.  The crucial task of disseminating information about Government policies, schemes and programmes is done through media units viz. Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Press Information Bureau (PIB) and New Media Wing (NMW).  The Information Wing is responsible for dissemination of information and awareness generation about the policies and activities of the Government of India through print, electronic and digital media to maximize the benefits of these schemes for the intended beneficiaries.  The Ministry frames policy guidelines for empanelment, rate fixation, etc of Government advertisements and campaigns in print, electronic, outdoor and digital platforms.  The Wing also administers statutes like Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 and the Press Council Act, 1978.

Besides this, Publication Division under the Information Wing, serves as a premier publishing house of the Government of India and enriches the national knowledge depository to preserve the nation’s ancient heritage and showcase its strength through quality publications of its land of people. 

Central Bureau of Communication

Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) was created by the Ministry on 08.12.2017 by merging the erstwhile media units of Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP) and Song & Drama Division (S&DD) to have synergy and integrated approach between these organisations; better utilisation of resources and workforce; and to deliver better communication to the masses in every states and every districts. CBC including its Delhi Headquarter consists of 23 Regional Offices and 148 Field Offices.

CBC takes care of communication needs of the Ministry/Departments and Government Organisations at Headquarter level and interpersonal communication at Regional and Field level through live media utilizing wide range of performing arts such as Drama, Dance-Drama, Composite programmes, Puppetry, Ballets, Operas, Folk and Traditional Recitals, Mythological Recitals and other Local Folk and Traditional forms, propagating policies and programmes of the Government.

CBC undertakes multi-media advertising and publicity for various Ministries and Departments of Government of India through print media, electronic media, digital media, outdoor publicity, live performances and arts etc. CBC acts as a service agency and communicates at grassroots level on behalf of various Central Government Ministries/ Departments.

Website : https://cbcindia.gov.in/  

Press Information Bureau

Press Information Bureau (PIB) is the nodal agency of the Government of India to disseminate information to the print and electronic media on government policies, programmes, initiatives and achievements through different modes of communication viz. press releases, press notes, explainer, factsheets & feature articles, photographs, videos, infographics and also through social media platforms. It functions as an interface between the government and media & also serves to provide feedback to the government on people’s reaction as reflected in the media.

Photo Division under PIB is mandated to provide visual support through photo coverage of the varied activities of the Government of India. Established in October 1959, it is the only organization in the country which has a rich repository of about more than 10 lakh negatives/ transparencies preserved in digital format, beginning from the Pre-Independence era to the present day. Photo Division plays a significant role in production and storage of still photographs which are of immense historical value.

Website Link: https://pib.gov.in/indexd.aspx 

New Media Cell in the Ministry deals with the administrative work of New Media Wing, an attached office under Ministry of I&B. In 2013, the Research, Reference and Training Division (RR&TD) which was set up in the year 1945, as an attached office of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, was renamed as New Media Wing (NMW). It functions as an information-serving and disseminating unit for Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. NMW undertakes tasks relating to perception management, integrating communications across platforms, constructing messages so as to suit socio-economic, cultural and linguistic diversity. It has been established for dissemination of Government’s Initiative/policies through Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s various Social Media platforms i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. NMW aims at effective social media publicity of Government’s policies/programmes/initiatives/ campaigns through various Social Media handles.

NMW integrates the Government’s profile across different social media platforms. It undertakes tasks relating to integrating communications across social platforms, constructing messages so as to suit socio-economic, cultural, linguistic diversity. NMW seeks to enable the Government’s presence and direct interface with the citizens who use the medium of social media in all major regional languages. It tracks contemporary developments, trends across social media platforms and strategize the Government’s response accordingly. NMW also promotes citizen centric governance by taking and scrutinizing the feedback received from for various social media platforms with the help of its tool Integrated Dashboard (SAMVAD).

A part of Central Sector Scheme – Development, Communication and Information Dissemination (DCID) – social media platform is being implemented by NMW. Under this scheme, two projects – Social Media Activities and Integrated Dashboard (SAMVAD) are being implemented.

Functions of New Media Wing involves : The two primary areas of operations - social/digital media outreach for the Government of India in general and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in particular. It also provides feedback and analysis of media views and opinions. NMW aims at effective social media publicity of Government’s policies/programmes/initiatives/campaigns through various Social Media handles i.e. @inbministry on Facebook, @MIB_India and @MIB_Hindi on Twitter, @inbministry on Youtube, @MIB_India on Instagram and @MIB_India on Telegram. It communicates with audience in the form of videos, graphics, online competitions and live coverage of important government events.

The significant activities of NMW are :

• COVID-19 Awareness campaign’ (#IndiaFightsCorona)-COVID- 19 statistics such as vaccine dose administered and samples tested, prevention guidelines, myths and facts, and COVID Appropriate Behaviours have been posted from dedicated Twitter handle @COVIDNewsByMIB (#IndiaFightsCorona).
•  ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava’ - For ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava’, over 3000 creatives (including videos and graphics ) related to freedom fighters, unsung leaders and prominent events of India’s freedom struggle have been shared across social media platforms, since the launch of the campaign. Nutrition Week
•  Swachh Bharat Mission 
• Poshan Abhiyan 
• Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat 
•  Nari Shakti 
•  53 rd IFFI 
•  Padma Awards 
• National Sports Awards

The Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body set up under the Press Council Act, 1978 with the twin objectives of preserving the freedom of press and of maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and the news agencies in India and also to inculcate the principles of self-regulation among the press. PCI has formulated ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ which the Journalists and Newspapers have to follow. The Council takes cognizance, suo-motu or on complaints, of the contents in print media which are in violation of the ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct’.  

The Press Council is headed by a Chairman who by convention, is a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India. Besides, the PCI comprises of 28 members and the Council is re-constituted as per the provisions under section 5(3) of the Press Council Act, 1978  

 Website Link:  https://www.presscouncil.nic.in/ 

Press Registrar General of India

The Press Registrar General of India (PRGI, erstwhile RNI) is an attached office of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting set up under the Press and Registration of Periodicals {PRP) Act, 2023. The primary function of PRGI is to facilitate the registration of periodicals (print) in the country as per the provisions of PRP Act, 2023. As a statutory establishment under Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, PRGI maintains a Register of Records with details of Periodicals (print) published in India; allots titles to periodicals based on availability and Title Verification Guidelines; issues Certificates of Registration to them; receives and analyzes the Annual Statements submitted by the publishers of these periodicals; brings out ‘Press in India’ Report with details of the state of affairs of newspapers and other periodicals in the country. PRGI also carries out circulation verification of registered periodicals on the basis of requests received from the publishers or based on specific complaints and appeals, and authenticates self-declaration certificates for import of newsprint to periodicals registered with PRGI.

Website : https:/ /prgi.gov.in/   

Publications Division is a repository of books and journals highlighting subjects of national importance and India’s rich cultural heritage. Established in 1941, Publications Division has emerged as a premier publishing house of the Government of India. The contribution of DPD assumes importance as being a unique publishing house competing in the market on one hand, and a pioneer government organization on the other. The Division played a pioneering role in publishing classic works during the days when the Indian publishing industry was nascent and media reach was limited. Books on the life and thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi hold a place of pride for the Division. Publications Division has published several books on Gandhian thoughts including the Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi (CWMG) in 100 volumes, in English, and Sampoorna Gandhi Vangmaya in Hindi which is considered to be the most comprehensive and authentic collection of Gandhiji’s writings.

Division enjoys credibility among the publishers and is well recognised for the authenticity of the content and affordable price of publications. Publications Division, in collaboration with Gujarat Vidyapeeth, and under the supervision of prominent Gandhian scholars, has also prepared the e-version of the Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi (e-CWMG), a fully searchable Master copy, in the form of a welldesigned set of DVDs.

This monumental work is a lasting contribution to the national heritage by preserving Mahatma Gandhi’s written words in permanent and tamper-proof electronic format. The e-CWMG is also hosted on the Gandhi Heritage Portal, a comprehensive repository of authentic Gandhian literature. The endeavor to get more Gandhian titles is continuing. Publications Division is continuously endeavoring to outreach its efforts to further enrich and diversify its content and to reach more and more people. With this end in mind, Publications Division is making meticulous efforts to make partnership arrangements with reputed institutions, Gandhian Organizations, and prestigious publishers working for similar causes of enriching the reading public.

Publications Division is also making similar arrangements with its sister organizations in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Such partnerships have already started bearing fruits and the Publications Division is being enriched with quality publications in the areas of Gandhian thought, art, culture, cinema, and other aspects of national heritage.

Besides books, the Publications Division also publishes 18 monthly journals, which include Yojana in English, Hindi and 11 other languages, Kurukshetra (English and Hindi), Bal Bharati (Hindi) and Aajkal (Hindi and Urdu). These journals have a large readership and enjoy a high degree of credibility among the public. These journals reflect the initiatives of the Government and the country’s progress in different areas covering a wide range of subjects such as economic development, rural reconstruction, community development, literature, culture, children’s literature and information on employment and career opportunities.

Yojana, the flagship journal of the Division published since 1957, seeks to carry the message of planned development to all sections of society and serves as a forum to promote a healthy discussion representing a cross-section of views on socio-economic aspects of development. Kurukshetra, published since 1952 in English and Hindi, is a unique monthly journal dedicated to rural development issues. Bal Bharati, the popular children’s monthly in Hindi, is being published regularly since 1948. Its objective is to provide healthy entertainment to children while educating them at the same time. Ajkal, the prestigious literary magazine published since 1945 in Hindi and 1942 in Urdu, brings out a number of special issues and covers different aspects of Indian culture and literature.

Publications Division is headed by Director General (DG), who is assisted by Director level officers heading Editorial, Business, Production, IT and Administration divisions and Employment News. The headquarters of the Publications Division is at Soochna Bhavan, CGO Complex at New Delhi and it functions through its various sales emporia at New Delhi (Headquarters), Delhi (old Secretariat), Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram and Yojana offices at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Thiruvananathapruam and Bengaluru.

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI of 1860), came into existence on August 17, 1965. The Institute was established with the basic objective of teaching, training and undertaking research in the areas of journalism, media and mass communication. IIMC Headquarters is at New Delhi and 05 Regional Campuses are located at Maharashtra. Mizoram, Kerala, Odisha and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

IIMC alongwith its five Regional campuses was notified as a Deemed to be University by the M/o Education on the advice of University Grants Commission on 31.01.2024.

IIMC is conducting a number of specialized courses for meeting the diverse and demanding requirements of the rapidly expanding and changing media industry in modern times. Apart from training officers of the Indian Information Service. the Institute conducts a number of Post-Graduate Diploma Courses in Print Journalism (English, Hindi. Urdu. Odia. Marathi and Malayalam). Radio & T.V. Journalism and Advertising & Public Relations.

The Institute also conducts a PG Diploma in Development Journalism for mid-level working journalists from Asian, African, Latin' American and East European countries, sponsored by Ministry of External Affairs under the ITEC, SCAAP and TCS of Colombo Plan Schemes. A number of specialized short-term Courses, ranging from one week to four weeks, are also organized to meet the ever-growing training needs of communication professionals working in various media, publicity and operational outfits of the Central and State Governments, as well as in Public Sector Organizations.

The institute continuously endeavours to contribute towards creation and strengthening of an information structure suitable not only for India’s requirements, but also those of other developing countries. IIC provides its expertise and consultancy services to other institutions in response to requests received from Central and State Governments, CPSUs, Universities etc.