Manual of Security Instructions 2026: Ministry of Defence Releases Updated Security Framework
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh released the Manual of Security Instructions 2026 at South Block, New Delhi, on 9 March 2026 — laying down revised security protocols for every officer and security personnel under the Ministry of Defence. The document replaces dated guidelines that could no longer adequately address a rapidly evolving threat landscape. Singh, while addressing the gathering, called for strict adherence and appreciated the Security Office of the Ministry for preparing the comprehensive set of directives.
Key Details
- Released By: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
- Venue: South Block, New Delhi
- Date of Release: 9 March 2026
- Scope: Security guidelines for all officials and security personnel of the Ministry of Defence
- Update Mechanism: Manual to be revised periodically as the threat environment evolves
- Prepared By: Security Office, Ministry of Defence
The manual signals a shift from static, one-time security frameworks toward governance structures that adapt to emerging challenges. Security directives within defence establishments in India operate under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, which governs the classification and protection of sensitive government information. Effective implementation, Singh stressed, is now a non-negotiable responsibility across all ranks within the ministry.
Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and WAVES OTT Build India’s AVGC-XR Ecosystem
India’s first dedicated institution for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality — the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) — functions as a National Centre of Excellence modelled on the IITs and IIMs, backed by ₹400 crore and partnerships with seven global tech giants. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the institution at WAVES 2025, the inaugural World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit held from 1–4 May 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Operations began from the NFDC Building, Pedder Road, Mumbai; the permanent 10-acre campus will rise at Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City), Goregaon.
Key Details
- First Phase Campus: NFDC Building, Pedder Road, Mumbai
- Permanent Campus: 10 acres, Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari (Film City), Goregaon, Mumbai
- Budget Allocation: ₹400 crore
- Corporate Structure: Incorporated as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013; established in collaboration with FICCI and CII
- Industry Partners: NVIDIA, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, JioStar, Adobe
- First Batch: 300 students; 17 industry-aligned courses across Gaming, Post Production, Animation, Comics, and Extended Reality
- WAVES OTT: Launched at the 55th IFFI, Goa, on 20 November 2024 — 12+ languages, 65 live channels, 3.8 million+ downloads across 181 countries
Why This Matters for Exams
The Manual of Security Instructions 2026 is directly relevant to UPSC GS Paper III (Internal Security) and SSC General Awareness — specifically the governance of defence establishments under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. IICT and the WAVES OTT platform connect to the AVGC-XR Task Force recommendations (2022), a frequently examined topic in UPSC Prelims; both fall under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The WAVES Declaration, adopted by 77 nations at the Global Media Dialogue during WAVES 2025, is a high-yield fact for questions on India’s international cultural diplomacy.
Exam Tip: IICT is incorporated as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013 — not a statutory authority, autonomous body, or government-registered society. MCQs routinely place “autonomous body under MIB” or “registered society” as distractors; both are wrong. Equally important: never confuse the Manual of Security Instructions 2026 (Ministry of Defence’s internal guideline for its own officials — released by the Defence Secretary) with the Security Manual for Licensed Defence Industries (issued by the Department of Defence Production for private ILDCs — which mandates that companies with turnover above ₹250 crore appoint a dedicated CISO, requires CCSO vetting every 3 years, and external audits every 2 years). These are two entirely separate documents with different scopes — a distinction that regularly surfaces as a wrong-answer trap in both UPSC and SSC papers.