New Social Media Rules for Maharashtra Govt Employees: What’s Allowed and What’s Not

The Maharashtra state government has rolled out social media guidelines for all government employees and has warned that they will look to take disciplinary action against any employee that violates their administrative order issued by the General Administration Department on July 28. The goal of the government has been to direct employees to not risk leaks of confidential information, spreading misinformation and/or unauthorized use of government identity.

Applicable to all state employees including employees under contract, on deputation or of public bodies, they belong to the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979 and any violations will be subject to punishment under the Discipline and Appeal Rules of 1979.

What’s Not Allowed

• Employees are specifically prohibited from:
• Criticizing any policies of the Maharashtra Government or the Government of India.
• Sharing or forwarding confidential or official documents without permission/a clear directive.
• Using official government logos, uniforms, vehicles or buildings for their personal posts not including profile pictures.
• Posting offensive, defamatory or communal posts.
• Operating or using official government social media accounts unless an employee holds a leave or absence type of a role.
• Employees must keep separate personal and professional social media accounts and stay away from banned platforms or applications.

What’s Allowed – With Conditions

Officers and employees can post on government programs or initiatives but must focus on the initiative, not on self-promotion. Internal communications using WhatsApp or Telegram are allowed only for office work unless specifically targeted to employees. 

Furthermore, transferred or separated employees must correctly transfer all official social media accounts. Only designated staff may post promotional content with the authorization of designated authorities.

The circular was circulated to all departments for immediate compliance which is a significant move towards culpable digital behaviour in the public service. 

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