Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a special Union Cabinet meeting at South Block on Friday, marking the last gathering in the British-era secretariat before the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) moves to its new complex, Seva Teerth.
Official sources confirmed that the meeting will be the Cabinet's final session in the PMO, located in the historic North and South blocks, designed by British architect Herbert Baker in the early 1900s to serve the British Raj.
The session is scheduled for 4 pm, after which the PMO will shift to the new building, ending a century-long era in the iconic imperial structures.
Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhawan set for inauguration
Prime Minister Modi is set to inaugurate Seva Teerth, along with Kartavya Bhawan 1 and 2, on 13 February, his office said on Wednesday.
"The Friday inauguration marks a transformative milestone in India's administrative governance architecture and reflects the Prime Minister's commitment to building a modern, efficient, accessible and citizen-centric governance ecosystem," a statement from the PMO added.
Legacy of North and South Blocks
The North and South blocks have served as the seat of power since 1921. Earlier, the Home Ministry moved out of the North Block complex at Raisina Hills in Lutyens' Delhi.
The government plans to repurpose the historic buildings into the 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum', a world-class museum chronicling India's civilisational journey.
The relocation is part of a broader government initiative to decolonise India's administrative architecture and governance, symbolising a shift towards modern, citizen-focused administration while preserving the country's heritage.