RTI Reveals ₹2,586 Crore Government Ad Spend Linked to PM Modi Campaigns Since 2020

New Delhi, June 23: The Central Government spent ₹2,586 crore on advertisements featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promoting government initiatives between 2020-21 and 2025-26, according to information disclosed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The expenditure details, released by the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, provide a comprehensive picture of government spending across print, television, radio, outdoor publicity, digital platforms and social media over the past six years.

The figures have reignited debate over the scale of public expenditure on government publicity and the transparency of advertising contracts funded by taxpayers.

RTI Data Details Multi-Crore Publicity Campaigns

The information was disclosed in response to an RTI application filed by former Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale, who sought details of government advertising expenditure associated with the Prime Minister and flagship government programmes.

According to the response, television and radio advertisements accounted for the largest share of spending, with approximately ₹936 crore allocated to broadcast campaigns during the period.

Print advertisements received nearly ₹796 crore, while outdoor publicity—including hoardings, billboards and public displays—accounted for around ₹584 crore.

The data also showed a significant increase in spending on digital outreach and social media campaigns, reflecting the government's growing reliance on online platforms to communicate with citizens.

Digital Advertising Records Sharp Growth

Among the various categories, "new media" expenditure registered one of the fastest rates of growth.

According to the figures, spending on digital and social media advertising rose from ₹14 crore in 2020-21 to ₹131.35 crore in 2025-26, marking a substantial expansion in online government communication efforts.

Outdoor advertising also witnessed a sharp increase. Expenditure in this category rose from ₹32.76 crore in 2022-23 to ₹162.21 crore in 2023-24, indicating a renewed emphasis on large-scale public visibility campaigns.

Print media continued to receive a significant share of government advertising budgets, with approximately ₹338 crore reportedly spent on newspaper advertisements during 2025-26 alone.

Agency Details Withheld

While the CBC provided category-wise expenditure figures, it declined to disclose the names of advertising agencies and media organisations that received the funds.

The department cited "commercial confidence" as the reason for withholding the information.

Gokhale criticised the decision, arguing that taxpayers are entitled to know how public money is distributed and which organisations benefit from government advertising contracts.

He also contended that the disclosed figure represents spending by only one government communication agency and does not include publicity expenditure by individual ministries, public sector undertakings or other government bodies.

Debate Over Government Advertising Intensifies

The disclosures have renewed discussions about the role of government advertising and its impact on media ecosystems.

Critics argue that large-scale advertising expenditure raises questions about transparency, accountability and the relationship between governments and media organisations.

Supporters, however, maintain that public information campaigns are essential for creating awareness about welfare schemes, development programmes and government services. They point out that governments worldwide use advertising to communicate policies and public-interest initiatives to citizens.

The debate has increasingly focused on where the line should be drawn between informing the public and promoting political leadership through taxpayer-funded campaigns.

Calls for Greater Transparency

The RTI disclosures come amid growing calls from transparency advocates and opposition leaders for greater disclosure of government advertising practices, including details of contracts, selection criteria and beneficiary organisations.

As government communication increasingly shifts towards digital platforms and social media, experts say public scrutiny of advertising expenditure is likely to intensify.

The latest figures have once again brought into focus broader questions about accountability in public spending and the mechanisms through which governments communicate with citizens.

While government outreach remains an important part of public administration, transparency advocates argue that greater disclosure of advertising expenditures and recipients would help strengthen public trust and ensure accountability in the use of taxpayer funds.

Courtesy National Herald

Image Courtesy : National Herald