What Happened
- The Union Cabinet approved the transition of government operations from the historic North and South Blocks to the newly constructed 'Seva Teerth' and 'Kartavya Bhavans', with the vacated colonial-era buildings to be converted into the 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat' National Museum.
- The new Prime Minister's Office complex, named 'Seva Teerth', was inaugurated on February 13, 2026 and houses the PMO, the National Security Council Secretariat, and the Cabinet Secretariat — all previously located at different sites.
- 'Kartavya Bhavan 1' and 'Kartavya Bhavan 2' will accommodate several key ministries including Finance, Defence, Health, Education, Law and Justice, Agriculture, and Tribal Affairs.
- The Cabinet decision was taken at the last meeting held in South Block, marking the end of an era in which 16 Prime Ministers had operated from the colonial-era complex since Independence.
- The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum is planned to house approximately 25,000 to 30,000 artefacts across at least 30 galleries covering 1.55 lakh square metres, with the first gallery expected to open by late 2026.
Static Topic Bridges
Central Vista Redevelopment Project
The Central Vista is the ceremonial boulevard and administrative complex at the heart of New Delhi, originally designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker between 1911 and 1931. The Central Vista Redevelopment Project, announced in September 2019, is a comprehensive overhaul of this precinct to modernise India's governance infrastructure while repurposing the colonial-era buildings.
- Original Central Vista (inaugurated 1931): Comprised Rashtrapati Bhavan (Lutyens), Parliament House (Baker), North and South Blocks (Baker), the Record Office (now National Archives), India Gate, and the Rajpath (now Kartavya Path) gardens
- Redevelopment architect: Bimal Patel of HCP Design Planning and Management Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad — selected through a design competition in October 2019
- New Parliament Building: Inaugurated May 28, 2023; triangular design with expanded seating capacity (888 seats in Lok Sabha, 384 in Rajya Sabha)
- Estimated total project cost: Approximately Rs 13,000 crore (spread over several years)
- Components completed: New Parliament building (2023), revamped Central Vista Avenue/Kartavya Path (2022), Vice-President's Enclave
- Components in progress: Seva Teerth (PMO complex, inaugurated February 2026), Kartavya Bhavans (ministerial offices), Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum
Connection to this news: The Cabinet decision to vacate North and South Blocks and convert them into a museum represents one of the final stages of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. The transition marks the complete shift of India's governance infrastructure from colonial-era buildings to purpose-built modern facilities.
North and South Blocks — Architectural and Historical Significance
The North and South Blocks, designed by British architect Herbert Baker, form the twin Secretariat buildings flanking the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill. Completed in 1929 and inaugurated in 1931 as part of the Imperial Capital project, they represent a distinctive blend of Mughal, Rajput, and Western classical architectural styles. The buildings have served as the seat of Indian governance since Independence, with the PMO operating from South Block and the Ministry of Finance from North Block.
- Architect: Herbert Baker (South African-British); collaborated with Edwin Lutyens on the overall New Delhi plan from 1913 onwards
- Construction: 1921-1929; inaugurated as part of the New Delhi capital complex in 1931
- Architectural style: Fusion of Mughal, Rajput, and European classical elements — domes, colonnades, chhatris, jharokhas
- Cost of original construction: Over Rs 17.5 crore (in 1920s-30s values)
- South Block housed: PMO, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence
- North Block housed: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs
- The buildings are part of the Lutyens' Delhi heritage zone, though not individually UNESCO-listed
- The "Baker-Lutyens controversy" arose over the gradient of Raisina Hill's approach road, which partially obscured the view of the Viceroy's Palace (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) — a design disagreement Lutyens bitterly opposed
Connection to this news: The conversion of these heritage buildings into a museum preserves their architectural legacy while repurposing them from administrative use. The decision reflects a broader policy of transitioning governance out of colonial-era infrastructure while maintaining historic structures as cultural assets.
Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum — India's Planned Mega-Museum
The Yuge Yugeen Bharat (meaning "India Through the Ages") National Museum is conceived as one of the largest museums in the world, planned to showcase 5,000 years of Indian civilisational history. India has partnered with France Museums Developpement (the agency behind the Louvre Abu Dhabi) for the museum's conceptualisation, and a consortium led by Arcop Associates with architect Kulapat Yantrasast (known for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles) has been chosen as the design consultant.
- Location: North and South Blocks, Central Vista, New Delhi — repurposed from government offices
- Area: 1.55 lakh square metres (approximately 16.7 lakh square feet), making it among the world's largest museums by floor area
- Collections: 25,000 to 30,000 artefacts, including items from the existing National Museum (established 1949, currently at Janpath) and collections sourced from across India
- Galleries: At least 30 galleries of varying sizes, including immersive indoor and outdoor spaces with courtyards
- Eight thematic zones planned to cover India's history from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the modern era
- Timeline: First gallery expected by late 2026; full completion expected within three years
- The existing National Museum at Janpath was established on August 15, 1949 and currently houses approximately 2 lakh artefacts — its collections will be subsumed into the new museum
Connection to this news: The Cabinet approval formalises the museum conversion plan that has been part of the Central Vista vision since 2019. The scale and ambition of the project — with international design partnerships and a collection five times larger than displayed at the current National Museum — signals an attempt to create a cultural landmark comparable to the Louvre, British Museum, or Smithsonian.
Key Facts & Data
- North and South Blocks: Designed by Herbert Baker, completed 1929, inaugurated 1931; part of Lutyens-Baker New Delhi capital complex (1911-1931)
- Central Vista Redevelopment: Announced September 2019; architect Bimal Patel (HCP Design); estimated cost Rs 13,000 crore
- New Parliament Building: Inaugurated May 28, 2023; Lok Sabha capacity expanded to 888 seats
- Seva Teerth (new PMO): Inaugurated February 13, 2026; houses PMO, NSC Secretariat, and Cabinet Secretariat
- Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum: 1.55 lakh sq.m. area; 25,000-30,000 artefacts; 30+ galleries; first gallery by late 2026
- Design consultant: Arcop Associates consortium with architect Kulapat Yantrasast; France Museums Developpement as conceptual partner
- 16 Prime Ministers have operated from South Block since Independence
- Existing National Museum (Janpath): Established August 15, 1949; approximately 2 lakh artefacts