The Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Strategic Communication (ADG Strat Comn) will soon move out of the iconic South Block and shift to the newly built Shaurya Bhawan in Delhi Cantonment. The relocation, part of a larger exercise to move all Army and Navy offices out of South Block, including the office of the Chief of the Army Staff, is expected to be completed by the end of this month.The Defence Minister, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Defence Secretary had moved their offices to Kartavya Bhawan in March 2026.The move will mark the end of a significant chapter in the directorate's history, which has evolved over four decades alongside major changes in the media landscape.

Established in 1985 as a small Publicity Cell, the directorate began its journey when print media was the dominant platform and electronic media was only beginning to expand. It was later brought under the Military Operations Directorate.During the 1990s, its responsibilities expanded as round-the-clock television news began shaping public opinion.

The unit was renamed the Psy Ops Cell in 1994 and subsequently became the Army Liaison Cell in 1996. In 2004, it was upgraded to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, reflecting the growing importance of online media alongside print and television.

Over the years, the directorate has established itself as one of the most trusted and reliable links between the Indian Army and the media. Journalists have relied on it for accurate, timely and credible information, particularly during major military operations.Some of its biggest tests came during the Kargil conflict, the Surgical Strikes and Operation Sindoor, when it kept the media and the public updated on military developments.

Its communication was marked by clarity and restraint, helping build public confidence in the armed forces during critical moments. In 2020, the directorate was renamed ADG Strategic Communication and equipped with enhanced capabilities to address the demands of new-age media and the growing challenges posed by fake and synthetic news.Despite the changes in its structure and responsibilities, its commitment to open and constructive engagement with the media has remained unchanged.

It continues to be a key pillar of the Ministry of Defence's public relations set-up, with its present mandate centred on calibrated strategic communication, ensuring that the Army's position is accurately presented and protected against distortion.The move to Shaurya Bhawan will provide the directorate with a modern base to carry forward this mandate. While South Block will remain an integral part of its institutional history, its focus at the new address will remain unchanged: to inform, engage and serve as a dependable bridge between the Indian Army and the media.- Ends