North & South Blocks to Become ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ National Museum!

In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet has approved the transition of North Block and South Block into part of the proposed ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum’. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating the new Prime Minister’s Office, named Seva Teerth, to the nation on February 13, 2026. With this shift, Cabinet meetings will no longer be held in South Block, ending nearly 95 years of administrative use of the iconic colonial-era complex.

From Colonial Power Centres to Modern Governance Hubs

• Constructed during British rule, North Block and South Block have long served as the nerve centre of India’s governance.
• Since Independence in 1947, the Prime Minister’s Office functioned from South Block, and successive Cabinets under 16 Prime Ministers from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi took crucial policy decisions within its chambers.
• The Cabinet described the final meeting in South Block as symbolic of India’s transition from a colonial administrative legacy to a modern, service-oriented governance framework aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans: A Shift in Administrative Culture

The new administrative complexes Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans are designed as modern, technology-enabled, and environmentally sustainable workspaces.

The government stated that this transformation reflects a broader shift,

• From a culture of “power” to a culture of “service”
• From colonial architecture to citizen-centric governance
• From fragmented offices to integrated, efficient workspaces
• The redesign aims to enhance administrative efficiency, productivity, and digital governance.

South Block: Witness to Defining Moments in History

Over the decades, South Block witnessed several pivotal events in India’s history,

• Decisions during Partition
• Wartime and security deliberations
• Emergency-era policy decisions
• Economic reforms and liberalisation

In recent years, landmark reforms such as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Swachh Bharat Mission, Digital India, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) were approved from its chambers. Major constitutional and security decisions, including the abrogation of Article 370 and laws against triple talaq, were also taken here.

Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum: Celebrating Civilisational Legacy

With Cabinet approval, North and South Blocks will be integrated into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum. The museum is envisioned as a space showcasing India’s civilisational journey spanning thousands of years.

The aim is to connect,

• Ancient cultural heritage
• Freedom struggle legacy
• Post-independence nation-building
• Modern global aspirations

The museum will present a comprehensive narrative of India’s transformation from colonial rule to a rising global power.

Question

Q. The North and South Blocks will be converted into,

A) New Parliament Complex
B) Supreme Court Museum
C) Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum
D) National Archives Extension