The Indian government has announced plans to repurpose the Secretariat in New Delhi into what is expected to become a museum.
The site, currently housing key administrative offices, will be reconfigured into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, a new cultural institution expected to contain between 25,000 and 30,000 artefacts and utilise approximately 950 rooms for exhibitions and galleries.
Originally constructed during British rule and later used by independent India’s government from 1947 onwards.
The project aims to shift central government operations to modern facilities while converting the Secretariat into a museum space that reflects India’s cultural and historical legacy.
The redevelopment aligns with the broader Central Vista Revamp, which includes a new Parliament building and government offices. The transformation of the Secretariat represents a significant case of adaptive reuse on a grand scale, combining preservation with a new function of public cultural engagement.
Early planning stages indicate that the museum will replace the current National Museum and become the country’s flagship institution for historical and archaeological objects. With a proposed name meaning “Everlasting India” in Sanskrit, the project is positioned to serve as a statement of national identity and continuity through the lens of design, material culture, and storytelling.
The Ministry of Culture has enlisted the expertise of France Muséums Développement (FMD), the consultancy known for its role in transforming the Louvre Palace into the globally renowned Musée du Louvre.
This partnership includes support on master planning, curatorial strategy, visitor flow and orientation, exhibition planning, training, and the overall business model.
The aim is to establish a museum narrative that extends across centuries, celebrating India’s diverse material culture. The Ministry has signalled its intention to appoint further consultants for design and content development in the coming months.
While full possession of the South Block is pending, the Ministry anticipates opening a partial gallery to the public by mid-2026.
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk
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