The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has ordered the integration of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) into a single organization, according to multiple media reports. The move brings the government’s information dissemination, advertising, publicity and outreach work under a single administrative structure.
The reports said the decision was issued through an office memorandum dated 12 November 2026, and takes effect immediately. State and branch-level offices will shift to the new arrangement in phases, the reports added.
The merged body will function under the PIB name and be headed by the director general (coordination), PIB, New Delhi, who will report to the chairman of the Communication Board, according to the reports.
Additional director general-level Indian Information Service (IIS) officers from both erstwhile organizations have been directed to report to the DG (coordination), the reports said. The same applies to chief media coordinators attached to ministries and departments in Delhi, state CMCs and heads of PIB offices.
A separate MIB order transferring and posting six IIS Group ‘A’ officers was issued alongside, media reports said.
It names R K Jain, until now director general (news) at the News Services Division of All India Radio, who also held additional charge as Director General, AIR, as the new DG (Coordination), PIB.
Functions brought together
The reports said the DG (Coordination) will oversee audio-visual publicity, new media, outreach program, exhibitions, print advertising, research, factchecking, social media, media coordination and building administration. The office will also handle media planning for ministries and departments, press releases and briefings, and media coordination across states.
One report said the structure will be organized under six ADGs covering Media Operations, Advertising & Publicity, Digital & New Media, Information Integrity, Ground Outreach and Administration. The other report reviewed did not list these portfolios.
The reports described the move as an effort to reduce fragmentation between the government’s information and advertising functions.
