Govt Clears Shift to Seva Teerth, Museum Plan for Blocks
North and South Blocks to become part of ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ National Museum
- Cabinet approves transition to Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans
- North and South Blocks to be converted into national museum
- Move marks shift from colonial legacy to service-oriented governance
- Decision taken after last Cabinet meeting in South Block
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Feb: The Union Cabinet has approved the transition of government operations from the historic North and South Blocks to the newly built Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans, paving the way for the conversion of the colonial-era buildings into the ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ National Museum.
The decision comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new Prime Minister’s Office, named Seva Teerth, to the nation on February 13.
The Cabinet meeting held in South Block on Friday was the last to take place in the historic building, which has been at the centre of governance since Independence. Officials described the moment as a confluence of history and the future, as the complex has witnessed key national events from the colonial era to modern India.
Constructed by the British as symbols of imperial authority, the North and South Blocks continued to house key government offices after Independence in 1947. The Prime Minister’s Office had functioned from South Block for decades.
According to the government, the buildings have witnessed major milestones, including decisions taken by Cabinets led by 16 Prime Ministers, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi.
The statement said the past decade had seen several landmark decisions from South Block, including reforms such as Direct Benefit Transfer, Swachh Bharat, Digital India, and the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax. It also cited decisions on Article 370, the law against triple talaq, and security-related actions.
With India moving towards the goal of a developed nation, the government said there was a need for modern, technology-enabled, and environmentally friendly workspaces to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Nearly 95 years after the inauguration of South Block, the government is now shifting operations to the new complexes. The transition, officials said, symbolises the country’s journey from a colonial past towards a service-driven, developed India.
Under the Cabinet decision, the North and South Blocks will be integrated into the proposed ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ National Museum, which aims to showcase India’s civilisational heritage and connect the country’s past with its future.
