13 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

5 min

Polity & GovernanceNEWS

PM Modi Inaugurates New PMO and Central Secretariat Buildings

PM Modi inaugurates new PMO, Central Secretariat buildings, marking shift from historic blocks.

Photo by Ankit Sharma

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Prime Minister’s Office and the Central Secretariat buildings, along with Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2. The iconic North and South Blocks, which housed the British government and later the Indian government since 1947, will be vacated. The Prime Minister’s Office will move to the newly built ‘Seva Teerth’ complex, which will also house the National Security Council Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat.

Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 will house several key Ministries, including Finance, Defence, Health, Education, and others. The new building complexes feature digitally integrated offices, structured public interface zones, and centralized reception facilities, designed in accordance with 4-Star GRIHA standards, incorporating renewable energy systems, water conservation measures, and waste management solutions.

Key Facts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new PMO and Central Secretariat buildings.

The inauguration includes Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2.

The last Union Cabinet meeting will be held in South Block.

The iconic North and South Blocks will be vacated.

The Prime Minister’s Office will move to the newly built ‘Seva Teerth’ complex.

‘Seva Teerth’ will also house the National Security Council Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat.

Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 will house several key Ministries.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper I (History): Historical significance of the Central Secretariat buildings

GS Paper II (Governance): Government policies and infrastructure development

GS Paper III (Environment): Environmental impact assessment of the project

Visual Insights

Location of New PMO and Central Secretariat Buildings

This map shows the location of the new PMO and Central Secretariat buildings in Delhi, highlighting their proximity to key government institutions.

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📍Delhi📍Delhi

More Information

Background

The Central Secretariat in Delhi has a rich history, dating back to the British Raj. These buildings, primarily the North and South Blocks, were designed by Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens and completed in the 1930s. They originally housed the offices of the British government and later became home to key ministries of the Indian government after independence. The design reflects a blend of British and Indian architectural styles, symbolizing the colonial power's attempt to integrate with the local culture. The construction of these buildings marked a significant phase in the development of New Delhi as the capital city. Over the decades, the Central Secretariat has witnessed numerous important decisions and policy formulations that have shaped India's trajectory. The buildings have served as the nerve center of the Indian government, housing ministries responsible for finance, home affairs, external affairs, and defense. The architectural grandeur of the North and South Blocks has also made them iconic landmarks in Delhi, representing the power and authority of the Indian state. The shift to new buildings marks a transition, but the legacy of the old Secretariat will continue to be a part of India's history. The new buildings are designed in accordance with GRIHA standards, which is India's own green building rating system. The move to new buildings also reflects the evolving needs of governance in the 21st century. The new PMO and Central Secretariat buildings are equipped with modern technology and infrastructure to facilitate efficient and effective administration. The integration of digitally integrated offices, structured public interface zones, and centralized reception facilities aims to improve the accessibility and responsiveness of the government. The focus on sustainable design, incorporating renewable energy systems, water conservation measures, and waste management solutions, aligns with India's commitment to environmental sustainability. This shift signifies a move towards a more modern, efficient, and sustainable model of governance.

Latest Developments

The inauguration of the new PMO and Central Secretariat buildings is part of the larger Central Vista Redevelopment Project. This ambitious project aims to modernize and consolidate government infrastructure in Delhi. The project has faced criticism regarding its environmental impact, cost, and the need for such large-scale construction during a pandemic. However, the government argues that the new infrastructure is essential for improving efficiency and productivity.

Several ministries are expected to move into the new Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 complexes. These include key ministries such as Finance, Defence, Health, and Education. The consolidation of these ministries in modern, digitally integrated offices is expected to streamline operations and improve coordination. The new buildings are designed to be more accessible to the public, with structured public interface zones and centralized reception facilities. This is intended to enhance transparency and accountability in government operations.

Looking ahead, the Central Vista Redevelopment Project is expected to continue with further construction and renovation of government buildings. The project aims to create a modern, efficient, and sustainable administrative center in Delhi. The long-term impact of the project on the city's landscape, environment, and governance remains to be seen. The project's success will depend on effective implementation, environmental sustainability, and public acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key facts about the new PMO and Central Secretariat buildings that are important for the UPSC Prelims exam?

Key facts for Prelims include that Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the new PMO and Central Secretariat buildings, including Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2. The PMO will move to the ‘Seva Teerth’ complex. The buildings are designed in accordance with 4-Star GRIHA standards. The North and South Blocks will be vacated.

Exam Tip

Remember the name 'Seva Teerth' and the GRIHA standards. These are potential MCQ points.

2. What is the historical background of the Central Secretariat buildings in Delhi?

The Central Secretariat buildings, primarily the North and South Blocks, were designed by Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens and completed in the 1930s. They originally housed the offices of the British government and later became home to key ministries of the Indian government after independence in 1947. The design reflects a blend of British and Indian architectural styles.

Exam Tip

Note the architects' names: Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens. The year of completion (1930s) is also important.

3. Why is the inauguration of the new PMO and Central Secretariat buildings in the news recently?

The inauguration is in the news as it marks a significant shift from the historic North and South Blocks. It is also part of the larger Central Vista Redevelopment Project, which aims to modernize government infrastructure. The project has generated public interest and debate regarding its necessity, environmental impact, and cost.

Exam Tip

Be aware of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project and the controversies surrounding it.

4. What are the pros and cons of constructing new government buildings like the PMO and Central Secretariat?

Pros include modernizing infrastructure, improving efficiency with digitally integrated offices, and promoting sustainable development through GRIHA standards. Cons may involve high costs, potential environmental impact, and the disruption caused by relocation. Some argue whether such large-scale construction is a priority.

Exam Tip

For the interview, consider both sides of the argument and form a balanced opinion.

5. How do the new PMO and Central Secretariat buildings incorporate sustainable development principles?

The new building complexes are designed in accordance with 4-Star GRIHA standards, incorporating renewable energy systems. This indicates an effort to minimize environmental impact and promote energy efficiency. The GRIHA standards are a key aspect of sustainable development in this project.

Exam Tip

Understand what GRIHA standards entail and how they contribute to sustainability.

6. What Ministries will be housed in Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2?

Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 will house several key Ministries, including Finance, Defence, Health, and Education.

Exam Tip

Remembering key ministries housed in Kartavya Bhavan can be helpful for prelims.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the newly inaugurated Central Secretariat buildings in Delhi: 1. The new Prime Minister’s Office is named ‘Seva Teerth’ and will also house the National Security Council Secretariat. 2. Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 are designed in accordance with 5-Star GRIHA standards. 3. The iconic North and South Blocks will continue to house key ministries even after the inauguration of the new buildings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The new Prime Minister’s Office is named ‘Seva Teerth’ and will also house the National Security Council Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 are designed in accordance with 4-Star GRIHA standards, not 5-Star. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The iconic North and South Blocks will be vacated after the inauguration of the new buildings.

2. Which of the following Ministries are expected to be housed in the newly built Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 complexes? 1. Ministry of Finance 2. Ministry of Defence 3. Ministry of Health 4. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A.1, 2 and 3 only
B.2 and 4 only
C.1, 3 and 4 only
D.1, 2, 3 and 4

Show Answer

Answer: A

The new Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 will house several key Ministries, including Finance, Defence, and Health. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is not explicitly mentioned in the provided summary as being housed in these buildings.

3. Assertion (A): The new Central Secretariat buildings are designed in accordance with GRIHA standards. Reason (R): GRIHA standards focus on integrating renewable energy systems, water conservation measures, and waste management solutions. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The new Central Secretariat buildings are indeed designed in accordance with GRIHA standards, which emphasize sustainable practices such as renewable energy, water conservation, and waste management.