A detailed report has made several claims about India’s Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), Ministry of Defence, on Wednesday. According to it, it is part of an information and communication system.
According to the report, India has developed a structured network of communication agencies, military information units, intelligence organisations, think tanks, and media platforms to manage defence related narratives and public perception.
Directorate of Public Relations (DPR)
The report claims that the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), Ministry of Defence, is the main defence communication body.
It says the DPR is responsible for handling communication related to the armed forces and defence institutions and shaping public messaging on security matters.
Additionally, it says that the DPR functions as the authorised channel of communication for the Ministry of Defence, armed forces, defence institutions and strategic establishments.
It also states that the DPR is based in New Delhi and operates through multiple regional offices. Adding that it has dedicated public relations units for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The report adds that it works closely with several defence-related think tanks.
According to the same report, the DPR is involved in public communication activities such as media briefings, public outreach, and defence related information sharing.
It also claims that the organisation plays a role in shaping narratives during national security situations and that it is very intimately connected to a number of think tanks.
Budget
It employs more than 10,000 personnel, which include media professionals, digital communication specialists, analysts and intelligence support staff, the report adds.
The report further alleges that DPR receives approximately INR2,882 Crore or USD 305 Million per year for communication, media engagement and outreach activities.
Defence think tanks collectively receive an estimated INR70 Crore, which brings the total budget to approximately INR9,558 Crore or USD 1.01 Billion, as per the report.
Anti-Pakistan narrative campaigns
As per the report, India’s information strategy is said to increasingly follow a “narrative first, evidence later” approach.
The report claims that official statements, attribution narratives and strategic messaging are quickly shared after major security incidents. This is often even before proper investigations or independent verification are completed.
It further states that coordination between the DPR, RAW, military information structures, strategic think tanks, mainstream media and digital platforms helps boost and spread these narratives across both domestic and international audiences.
According to the report, this pattern has been observed in several major events. These include Pulwama-Balakot (2019), Article 370 (2019), the Farmers’ Protests (2020–21), the G20 Summit in Srinagar (2023), the Jaffar Express hijacking (2025) and the Pahalgam attack (2025), where coordinated messaging is said to have reflected official positions while limiting alternative interpretations.
It also states that DPR-supported communication, along with intelligence inputs from RAW, media coverage and policy discussions, work together to influence public opinion before independent verification processes are completed.
