PIB to absorb CBC as MIB overhauls government communication structure

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has ordered the functional integration of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) into a unified organisation under the name Press Information Bureau (PIB), bringing the two government communication bodies under a common administrative and operational structure.

According to an Office Memorandum issued by the ministry on November 12, 2026, the integration will be effective immediately. The restructuring is intended to bring the functions of the two organisations under a consolidated leadership structure, with the Directorate General (Coordination), PIB, New Delhi, overseeing operations at the headquarters level.

The memorandum, issued by the Government of India, states that the existing PIB and CBC are being functionally integrated into a single organisation. It also lays out a revised reporting structure for senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officers and Central Media Coordinators (CMCs), covering both the headquarters and state-level operations.

Under the new arrangement, the office of the CBC at the headquarters will be integrated with PIB. The combined organisation will be headed by the Director General (Coordination), PIB, New Delhi, who will report to the Chairman of the Communication Board.

All Additional Director General (ADG)-level IIS officers from the erstwhile CBC and PIB have been directed to report to the DG (Coordination), PIB. Central Media Coordinators posted in ministries and departments in Delhi will also report to the DG (Coordination), creating a common reporting mechanism for government communication activities.

The ministry has further stated that the integration process will be replicated at the state and branch levels in a phased manner.

Revised responsibilities across senior officials

The organisational chart attached to the memorandum outlines the distribution of responsibilities among six ADG-level officers and the CMC network.

ADG Navneet Kaur will oversee billing and administration, while ADG Ajay Aggarwal will be responsible for the making and release of audio-visual content, outdoor publicity and new media.

ADG Shri Shambhu Nath Chaudhary will handle outreach programmes, including ICoPs, exhibitions and events. ADG Padma will oversee print advertisements, printing and distribution of booklets and catalogues, as well as media rates.

The research and information dissemination functions will be handled by ADG Himani, who will oversee the Research Unit, New India Samachar, press tours and Vartalap.

ADG Vivek Vaibhav will be responsible for the Fact Check Unit, social media, liaison with television channels and newspapers, and press facilitation.

The revised structure also places CMCs posted in central ministries and departments under the DG (Coordination), PIB. Their responsibilities will include 360-degree media planning for their respective ministries and departments, including the coordination of press releases and press briefings.

At the state level, CMCs will be responsible for coordinating all media verticals, bringing the various communication functions under a common coordination mechanism.

Integration to extend beyond headquarters

The memorandum makes it clear that the restructuring will not be limited to the organisations' headquarters in New Delhi. The ministry intends to replicate the functional integration at state and branch levels, although it has not specified a timeline for completing the exercise.

The immediate implementation of the order places the DG (Coordination), PIB, at the centre of the new administrative arrangement, with both the erstwhile PIB and CBC's senior officers reporting through a common leadership structure.

The reorganisation also brings together several government communication functions, including advertising, publicity, outreach, research, fact-checking, social media engagement and media coordination, within the integrated PIB framework.