To tighten control over the use of social media by government staff, the Maharashtra government has issued fresh guidelines cautioning its employees against sharing confidential information or criticising government policies online. The directive, issued by the General Administration Department on Monday, falls under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979.

The circular highlights the growing use of social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, WhatsApp and Telegram, noting that while these tools offer ease of communication, they also pose risks such as leaks of sensitive information and the spread of misinformation, as per the news agency ANI. 

As per the new rules, government employees are strictly prohibited from criticising the functioning or decisions of the Maharashtra government—or any other government in India—on any public platform. Violations could result in disciplinary action.