Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-03, the first of ten buildings planned under the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) initiative, a key component of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. Designed to centralize government ministries for improved efficiency, the building is located in the heart of the national capital. Kartavya Bhavan-03 will house several key ministries and departments, including:
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Ministry of External Affairs
- Ministry of Rural Development
- Ministry of MSME
- Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
- Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
- Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser
The inauguration marks a major step toward phasing out the decades-old infrastructure currently used by the central bureaucracy. Ministries currently function from aging structures such as Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, and Nirman Bhawan, many of which were constructed between the 1950s and 1970s and have been deemed structurally outdated and inefficient by the government.
Prime Minister Modi toured the newly built facility, accompanied by Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar and HUA Secretary Katikithala Srinivas, who briefed him on the building’s modern features and utilities.
A Vision for Efficient Governance
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is spearheading the construction of ten CCS buildings as part of the broader Central Vista redevelopment. Buildings CCS 1 and 2 are expected to be completed by next month, while CCS 10 is scheduled for completion by April 2026. Work on CCS 6 and 7 will wrap up by October 2026.
On Tuesday, Minister Khattar confirmed that offices operating from the four old Bhawans will be temporarily relocated to Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Minto Road, and Netaji Palace for a period of two years during the construction phase.
What Will Be Retained?
While several government buildings are being demolished or vacated as part of the redevelopment, some key structures will be retained:
- National Museum
- National Archives
- Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan (Ministry of External Affairs)
- Dr. Ambedkar International Centre
- Vanijya Bhawan
The Central Vista redevelopment has already delivered a new Parliament building, a Vice President’s Enclave, and the redeveloped Kartavya Path stretching from Vijay Chowk to India Gate.
Kartavya Bhavan-03: Features & Facilities
Spanning a plinth area of 1.5 lakh square metres, with a basement area of 40,000 square metres, Kartavya Bhavan-03 is a modern government facility built with sustainability and functionality in mind. Key features include:
- 600-car parking facility
- 24 main conference rooms (each seating 45 people)
- 26 smaller conference rooms (each seating 25 people)
- 67 meeting rooms
- 27 elevators
- Creche, yoga room, medical room
- Multipurpose hall, kitchen, and cafe
The Road Ahead
Beyond the Common Central Secretariat, the Central Vista master plan includes an Executive Enclave, which will feature a new Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat, India House, and the National Security Council Secretariat. A new Prime Minister’s residence will also be constructed in the second phase of the enclave’s development. The Kartavya Bhavan inauguration signals a significant leap toward a modern, centralized, and tech-enabled administrative ecosystem for India’s governance.
Historical Background of Kartavya Bhavan and the Common Central Secretariat
What is Kartavya Bhavan?
Kartavya Bhavan is the name given to the newly constructed buildings that will house central government ministries as part of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS). The goal is to bring scattered ministries into a single, modern, secure, and energy-efficient complex, thereby improving coordination and governance.
Part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Plan
The Central Secretariat project, including Kartavya Bhavan, is a key component of the Central Vista Redevelopment Plan, first announced in 2019 by the Government of India. The Central Vista is the administrative heart of India, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in New Delhi. Until now, most central ministries have operated from colonial-era or post-independence buildings such as:
- Shastri Bhawan (built in 1956)
- Krishi Bhawan (built in 1958)
- Udyog Bhawan (built in the early 1960s)
- Nirman Bhawan (built in the 1970s)
These buildings have become structurally outdated, overcrowded, and expensive to maintain. Moreover, many ministries rent private office spaces due to lack of space, costing the government hundreds of crores annually. The aim of creating Kartavya Bhavan and the CCS is:
- To centralize government functioning
- Improve inter-ministerial coordination
- Enhance security and digital infrastructure
- Make government buildings more energy-efficient and accessible
- Reduce government expenditure on rental offices
The name “Kartavya Bhavan” (House of Duty) reflects the Modi government’s emphasis on accountability, efficiency, and citizen service in public administration.
Timeline of Key Events
Year Event
- 2019 Central Vista redevelopment plan announced
- 2020 Design competition held; HCP Design wins
- 2021 Construction of new Parliament building begins
- 2022-23 Redevelopment of Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) completed
- 2023 Work begins on Common Central Secretariat buildings
- 2025 Kartavya Bhavan-03 inaugurated on August 6 by PM Narendra Modi
Design and Architecture
The CCS buildings, including Kartavya Bhavan, are designed to be green-rated, earthquake-resistant, and digitally integrated. Each building will include modern amenities such as cafeterias, creches, conference halls, libraries, and energy-saving features. Sustainable building practices such as rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and waste management systems are integral to the design.
What Will Happen to Old Bhawans?
Most of the older ministry buildings like Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan will be demolished to make way for new constructions. Some modern or culturally significant buildings, such as:.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan
- National Museum
- Dr. Ambedkar International Centre
- Vanijya Bhawan
The Bigger Picture: Central Vista Redevelopment Includes:
A new Parliament building (already inaugurated in May 2023), A new PMO, India House, Cabinet Secretariat, and National Security Council in the upcoming Executive Enclave, New residences for the Prime Minister and Vice President, Modernized infrastructure and roads across Lutyens’ Delhi
