India, March 18 -- The Himachal Pradesh government has issued a fresh directive mandating a strict formal dress code and regulating social media conduct for its employees, warning of disciplinary action for any violations.

In an official communication dated March 16, the department of personnel directed all administrative secretaries, department heads, and divisional commissioners to ensure compliance, noting that several employees had failed to adhere to previous instructions issued in 2017.

The order stipulates that government employees must wear formal and modest attire in sober colours during office or court proceedings.

Male employees are advised to wear shirts and trousers or collared shirts with pants, while female employees are...