Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly asked Union ministers to strengthen their presence on Instagram and use reels and interactive content to engage more effectively with young Indians, according to government sources.
The advice was given during a Union Cabinet meeting on Friday, where the Prime Minister reportedly stressed that a large section of India’s youth spends time on the platform and that ministers should move beyond simply posting updates about government schemes.
The discussion came against the backdrop of the ongoing NEET-UG controversy, student-led protests over alleged examination irregularities, and growing public debate on social media. During the same meeting, the Cabinet approved proposed amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, introducing stricter punishments for paper leaks.
The Centre has also reiterated its support for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, rejecting demands for his resignation while stating that broader reforms to the National Testing Agency (NTA) are underway.
Digital Outreach Takes Centre Stage
According to official sources, Prime Minister Modi asked Cabinet colleagues how many of them actively use Instagram and encouraged them to communicate in ways that resonate with younger audiences. Sources quoted him as saying, “Young audiences are on Instagram.
This is a large section of citizens that all of us need to stay connected with.” Rather than relying solely on formal announcements or updates about government initiatives, ministers were reportedly advised to create engaging reels, interactive posts and relatable content that encourages direct conversations with citizens.
The advice came just hours after the Prime Minister himself released a selfie-style video addressing students over the NEET paper leak controversy. In the video, he described paper leaks as “not a trivial issue”, acknowledged the distress caused to lakhs of students and parents, and assured them that the government had acted against those responsible.
The informal format of the video, widely shared across social media platforms, was seen as a departure from traditional government messaging and reflected the growing importance of digital-first communication. Political observers note that Instagram has increasingly become one of India’s most influential platforms for reaching first-time voters and young citizens, making it a key space for political engagement as well as public outreach.
NEET Row Shapes Government Response
The Prime Minister’s remarks come at a time when the government is facing sustained scrutiny over the NEET-UG examination controversy. For weeks, students, parents and several organisations have demanded greater accountability over alleged irregularities in the examination process, reforms within the National Testing Agency, and stronger safeguards against future paper leaks.
Much of this debate has unfolded online, with Instagram, X and YouTube emerging as major platforms where students have shared their experiences, organised campaigns and amplified calls for reform. Against this backdrop, the Union Cabinet approved proposed amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
According to official sources, the amendments prescribe a minimum prison sentence of five years for individuals involved in paper leaks, while organised paper leak syndicates could face up to ten years in jail along with fines of up to ₹1 crore. The proposed legislation, expected to be introduced in Parliament, would cover major recruitment examinations such as UPSC and SSC, as well as entrance examinations including NEET, JEE and CUET.
Government sources have also reiterated that there is “no question” of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepping down despite ongoing protests. They maintain that the Centre is instead focused on implementing structural reforms within the examination system and strengthening the legal framework to protect genuine candidates while dismantling organised cheating networks.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The government’s decision to strengthen laws against examination fraud addresses an important concern shared by millions of students whose futures depend on fair and transparent recruitment and admission processes. Equally, the Prime Minister’s emphasis on engaging young citizens through platforms such as Instagram reflects an evolving reality where public communication increasingly happens through digital spaces rather than traditional media.
However, meaningful engagement goes beyond creating reels or increasing social media visibility. Young people are looking not only to be heard but also to see tangible action, accountability and institutional reforms that restore trust in public systems. Social media can be a powerful tool for dialogue when it complements transparent governance, responsive policymaking and genuine public participation.
