TN Govt Mandates Approval for Officials Published Content

Tamil Nadu govt now requires officials to get permission before publishing any content to ensure alignment with duties and protect public interest.

on Apr 15, 2025

TN Govt Mandates Approval for Officials Published Content

In a recent order, the Tamil Nadu government has issued a requirement that all its officials have to take prior permission from the appropriate authorities before releasing any book, article, or written material—be it in print or electronic form. This extends to self-publishing attempts and channels such as blogs, e-books, and electronic magazines.

The order has been given to make sure that government servants do not publish content that may be in conflict with their official duties, mislead people about government policies, or be prejudicial to public interest. The circular also clarifies that the Tamil Nadu Government Servants' Conduct Rules, 1973, already have provisions which prevent employees from indulging in activities that may compromise their impartiality or the integrity of the government.

The administration emphasized that anything—fiction or non-fiction—that can divulge private information, criticize the administration, or mislead the public must not be printed without proper approvals. Breaches of these regulations would result in disciplinary measures, which would range from suspension to penalties, depending on the case.

Offiicals clarified that the regulation is not to suppress creativity or expression but to uphold discipline and responsibility among government servants. The government has instructed all departments to apprise their employees of this order and make strict compliance.

This move happens at a time when more people are leveraging independent publishing and social media sites to express their opinions and literary writing. The order functions as a reminder to government officials to reconcile their creative pursuits with their working life.