• AIIMS New Delhi has issued social media guidelines restricting unauthorized use of its name, logo, and institutional branding.
• The policy takes immediate effect and covers students, resident doctors, faculty members, researchers, employees, and recognized student associations.
• The framework reinforces patient privacy, academic integrity, and professional conduct, with violations potentially inviting disciplinary or legal action.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has issued new social media guidelines prohibiting the unauthorized use of the institute's name, logo, and branding by students, resident doctors, faculty members, researchers, employees, and recognized student associations. The office memorandum, released on June 22, 2026, took effect immediately after receiving approval from the competent authority.
The institute said the measures were introduced to prevent unauthorized representation of AIIMS and avoid reputational or legal issues linked to social media activity. The guidelines also strengthen norms on patient confidentiality, academic integrity, and appropriate online conduct within the institution.
The policy states that students, employees, and affiliated bodies cannot use the name "AIIMS, New Delhi," its logo, emblem, or official branding in digital or print material without prior written approval from the concerned department.
The guidelines also apply to departments, centres, and institutional bodies operating official or semi-official digital communication channels, as well as third-party collaborators granted temporary access to AIIMS communication platforms.
The rules extend to event posters, banners, blogs, promotional videos, reels, and social media accounts on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and X that may appear to represent AIIMS officially.
AIIMS said any approved use of the institute's name or logo must follow its prescribed branding guidelines.
The policy also requires official institutional or student body social media accounts to register with the concerned department, identify their administrators, and designate a media coordinator responsible for content approval.
AIIMS directed doctors, students, and employees not to post or discuss patient information, photographs, or case details on social media, even if a patient cannot be identified. The policy aligns with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and Indian Medical Council regulations on patient confidentiality and professional conduct.
The institute also barred plagiarism, academic misconduct, unauthorized sharing of copyrighted material, and the circulation of examination questions, answer keys, or confidential academic content online.
The guidelines prohibit harassing, threatening, discriminatory, obscene, or defamatory posts and call for compliance with the UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Education Institutions, 2009. AIIMS further instructed users to "maintain a respectful and professional tone aligned with AIIMS values" while avoiding political, religious, or defamatory material. Sponsored collaborations with external organizations or brands also require prior institutional clearance.
The institute warned that violations of the new guidelines could lead to written warnings, suspension of institutional association or access privileges, derecognition of student bodies, or restrictions on participation in institutional events. Misuse of AIIMS identity may also attract legal action.
The memorandum authorizes departments to monitor social media activity for compliance and issue takedown notices when necessary, requiring content to be removed within 12 hours. It further states that the guidelines are "binding on all students/residents, employees, and associations functioning under the AIIMS, New Delhi umbrella" and that non-compliance may result in institutional or legal consequences.
(Rh/TP/MSM)