Mussoorie: Signaling a course correction amid the growing trend of 'viral officers', the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) has advised newly recruited IAS and IPS officers to refrain from projecting themselves on social media and avoid personal publicity.

In fresh guidelines issued to civil services entrants, the academy underlined that officers must maintain restraint in their online presence and ensure that their conduct reflects the dignity and neutrality expected of public servants. The advisory comes at a time when several young officers have built large followings on platforms like Instagram and X, often sharing day-to-day work and personal narratives.

Officials said the move is aimed at reinforcing the core values of the civil services, with the academy cautioning that excessive self-promotion or attempts to build a personal brand could dilute public trust and the institutional image of the services.

The guidelines emphasise that civil servants are the face of the state and are subject to constant public scrutiny, making it essential for them to avoid controversial posts, impulsive commentary or content that may be perceived as self-serving. Officers have also been advised to remain mindful of their digital footprint even before formally joining service.

At the same time, the academy has not discouraged the use of technology for governance. Instead, it has drawn a clear distinction between using digital platforms for public service delivery and using them for personal visibility.
The advisory is being seen as part of a broader push to ensure that professionalism and discretion remain central to the functioning of the bureaucracy, even as social media continues to reshape public engagement.

BI Bureau