IIS Officers Must Build Public Trust Through Accurate and Citizen-Centric Communication: I&B Secretary

New Delhi- The role of Indian Information Service (IIS) officers extends well beyond disseminating government information, requiring them to understand citizens’ concerns and strengthen trust in public institutions, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Chanchal Kumar said on Tuesday.

He was speaking at the valedictory function and graduation ceremony organised by the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) for Group A IIS Officer Trainees from the 2009, 2023 and 2024 batches.

The ceremony marked a significant academic milestone for IIMC, with the institute awarding postgraduate degrees to IIS Officer Trainees for the first time since attaining the status of a Deemed to be University. The trainees received the MA in Public Communication & Governance after completing the required academic and professional training.

Addressing the graduating officers, Kumar said public communication has become an increasingly important component of governance, particularly as technology continues to transform the way citizens consume and interact with information.

He pointed to the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies, while cautioning that misinformation, deepfakes and artificially generated content are creating new challenges for government communication systems.

According to the Secretary, effective communication cannot be limited to delivering information from the government to the public. Feedback from citizens must also form part of the process so that policies and their implementation can be improved.

While quick dissemination of information is important, he stressed that credibility and factual accuracy must remain central to official communication because messages issued by government institutions carry considerable public authority.

Kumar encouraged IIS officers to remain connected with developments on the ground and continuously expand their professional capabilities.

He said officers may also be called upon to handle responsibilities beyond communication and should therefore develop a broader understanding of governance and public administration.

The Secretary emphasised that the ultimate measure of public service should be its impact on citizens, particularly vulnerable sections of society. Officers, he said, should assess whether their work is actually addressing people’s needs and should be willing to reconsider their approach whenever it is not producing the desired outcome.

Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Vice Chancellor of IIMC, said the graduating officer trainees have become the first recipients of the institute’s postgraduate degree following its transition to a Deemed to be University.

She described the new MA programme as an important addition to the professional training of IIS officers, bringing together communication, media and governance studies.

Gaur said communication should ultimately create understanding rather than merely transfer information. She urged the officers to approach their professional responsibilities with objectivity, clarity and sensitivity.

She also highlighted the importance of continuous education as communication technologies, platforms and public expectations continue to change.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Additional Secretary Prabhat, Joint Secretary K. K. Nirala, Director General (Training) L. Madhu Nag, senior officials, faculty members and IIS Officer Trainees.

The first award of postgraduate degrees to IIS trainees represents a new phase in the academic and professional development of India’s government communication cadre, with greater emphasis on public communication, governance and citizen engagement.