Bihar govt clamps down on employees’ social media use, risks disciplinary action

Patna: Bihar’s new social media rules for government employees took effect on Friday, with violations now classified as misconduct punishable by strict action. Approved in January as the Bihar Government Servants' Conduct (Amendment) Rules, 2026, and notified by the Governor under Article 309, the guidelines aim to uphold discipline and institutional integrity online.

Government staff are barred from sharing personal views on platforms like Facebook, X, or Instagram about policies, schemes, or court rulings from the Supreme Court or High Courts without prior approval. They cannot use official emails or mobiles for personal accounts, and fake profiles or pseudonyms are prohibited. Posting photos, videos, reels, or live streams from office premises is completely banned, as is endorsing or criticising political parties, media outlets, or public figures. Inflammatory content on caste, religion, or sensitive issues is also forbidden.

In a significant update, employees may now attempt competitive exams only once during their career, requiring a No Objection Certificate (NOC), a sharp cut from the previous limit of five attempts. Departments report heightened caution among staff, from juniors to seniors, in their digital interactions.

(Inputs from IANS)