·
Historic
Cabinet Decision (14 February 2026):
The Union Cabinet approved the transition of governance operations from North
and South Blocks to the newly designated ‘Seva
Teerth’ and ‘Kartavya
Bhavans’.
·
Dedication
of New PMO:
On 13 February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi dedicated the new Prime Minister’s Office, now named ‘Seva Teerth’, to the
nation.
·
End of
Colonial-Era Usage:
o The latest Cabinet meeting marked the
final one held in South Block.
o North and South Blocks were built during
British rule.
o Since Independence in 1947, the PMO
functioned from South Block.
·
Historical
Significance of South Block:
o Witnessed decisions under 16 Prime
Ministers, from Jawaharlal
Nehru to Narendra Modi.
o Saw key moments including Partition, wars,
the Emergency, and major reforms.
o Reflected India’s evolution from colonial
rule to a global economic power.
·
Need
for Modern Infrastructure:
o Transition aimed at creating a modern,
technology-driven, eco-friendly workspace.
o Designed to enhance efficiency and
productivity of government officials (“karmayogis”).
o Symbolizes shift from ‘power culture’ to
‘service culture’.
·
Creation
of National Museum:
o North and South Blocks to become part of
the ‘Yuge
Yugeen Bharat National Museum’.
o Museum to showcase India’s civilizational
heritage and connect past with future.
·
Symbolic
Significance:
o Represents India’s move from colonial
legacy toward a ‘Developed India’ vision.
o Cabinet expressed gratitude to PM Narendra
Modi for transforming the governance centre into a symbol of service and
national renewal.
Today
(13.02.2026), on Vikram Samvat 2082… Phalgun Krishna Paksha… Vijaya Ekadashi… on
the auspicious occasion of Magh 24, Shaka Samvat 1947…
On
13 February 2026, the Hon’ble Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the new Prime
Minister’s Office, which will now be known as ‘Seva Teerth’.
North
and South Blocks were constructed by the British to keep India bound in the chains
of colonial rule. Although India attained freedom from colonial rule in 1947, these
buildings were retained by the then government for the discharge of its functions.
Since Independence, the Prime Minister’s Office has functioned from this building
in South Block.
Today,
we feel happy that the meeting of the Union Cabinet is being held for the last time
in this chamber of South Block. This is not merely a moment of change of place;
it is also a moment of the confluence of history and the future. This complex has
witnessed and shaped many historic events from slavery to freedom and then of independent
India. This complex has witnessed important decisions taken by Cabinets formed under
the leadership of 16 Prime Ministers of the country. From Nehru Ji to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi Ji, their footprints are on its stairs. The steps climbed on the stairs
of this building have made an important contribution in taking the country to new
heights.
In
the past decades, in the Cabinet meetings held here, inspired by the ideals of the
Constitution, the mandate received from the people and the aspirations of the nation,
many important decisions have been taken. Here, India’s successes were celebrated,
failures were assessed, and strong and major decisions were taken to deal with crises
and challenges.
The
rooms of South Block have witnessed the horror of Partition, the challenges of war
and Emergency, and deliberations on policies during peacetime. They have experienced
the long leap of technology from typewriters to digital governance.
Sitting
here, several generations of officials took decisions that brought India out of
the uncertainty immediately after Independence and moved it forward on the path
of stability. It is the result of everyone’s efforts that, emerging from economic
challenges and crises, today India stands as a confident nation.
Today’s
India is one of the leading economies of the world. India has emerged as a secure
and capable nation and is presenting its clear and effective voice on global platforms.
In
the past decade, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, South
Block has been the center of many historic decisions of
the nation. This place became the inspiration site of Minimum Government, Maximum
Governance. From here, the reform express received encouragement across the country.
From here, wide-ranging reforms such as DBT, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, campaigns related
to welfare of the poor, Digital India, GST took shape. From here, courageous and
sensitive decisions of social justice such as bringing down the wall of Article
370 and making a law against triple talaq were taken. From here were also taken
the decisions of surgical strike, air strike and Operation Sindoor,
through which India gave a clear message of its firm and confident security policy
to the world.
Today,
the country is moving forward with the resolve of a developed future. For this,
there was a need for a modern, technological and environmentally friendly office.
A workspace that increases the productivity of every karmayogi
working here and encourages his resolve of service.
With
this spirit, nearly 95 years after the inauguration of South Block, today on 13
February 2026, the Government of India is vacating these buildings and shifting
to ‘Seva Teerth’ and ‘Kartavya Bhavans’. Symbolically, this is another step of the
country from the past of slavery towards the future of ‘Developed India’. In the
past years, instead of the culture of ‘power’, the culture of ‘service’ has been
strengthened in the country. Today’s transition will further strengthen these values.
Today,
the Cabinet also resolves that North and South Blocks be made part of the “Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum,”
which will continue to inspire generations from our thousands of years old civilization.
This museum will celebrate our timeless and eternal cultural heritage and connect
our glorious past with a prosperous future.
The
Union Cabinet expresses gratitude towards the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visionary
leadership for transforming the center of governance from
a colonial past into the ‘Seva Teerth’ of new India.