BuzzBytes | New Delhi | February 13, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan–1 & 2 in New Delhi, dedicating the new administrative complexes to the people and declaring that governance must be rooted in service, not authority. The Prime Minister’s Office has been renamed Seva Teerth, underscoring that seva—the spirit of service—is the soul and identity of India, he said.
Calling the day “a new beginning in India’s development journey,” Modi said the resolve taken on Vijaya Ekadashi symbolises victory for the goal of a developed India. He thanked engineers and workers and congratulated officials from the PMO and Cabinet Secretariat on the completion of the complexes.
Modi contrasted the new facilities with the colonial-era North Block and South Block, saying those buildings were designed to impose imperial thinking and stand “above all others,” while Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans are grounded in serving citizens’ aspirations. “Decisions taken here will not reflect any monarch’s mindset but the expectations of 140 crore Indians,” he said.
Explaining the need for modern workplaces, Modi said ministries were earlier spread across over 50 locations in Delhi, costing around ₹1,500 crore annually in rent, besides daily logistics for 8,000–10,000 employees. The consolidation, he said, will reduce costs, save time and improve coordination. He announced that the old blocks will be turned into a national museum as part of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, preserving history while repurposing the space for public inspiration.
Linking the new complexes to shedding colonial symbols, Modi recalled steps such as the National War Memorial, Police Memorial, renaming Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajpath to Kartavya Path, Mughal Gardens to Amrit Udyan, and the old Parliament becoming Samvidhan Sadan. These changes, he said, reflect a consistent move towards an independent identity and a service-first ethos.
“Seva Paramo Dharmah” will be the guiding principle of the new PMO, Modi said, urging officials to pause daily and ask whether their work will make citizens’ lives easier. He cited outcomes of service-driven governance, including the lifting of millions out of poverty and renewed economic momentum, and said Viksit Bharat 2047 must be pursued through delivery, not symbolism.
What’s new in the complexes:
Seva Teerth now houses the PMO, National Security Council Secretariat and Cabinet Secretariat under one roof. Kartavya Bhavan–1 & 2 bring together key ministries including Finance, Defence, Health, Education, Law & Justice, I&B, Agriculture, Culture, Corporate Affairs, Chemicals & Fertilisers, and Tribal Affairs. The buildings feature digitally integrated offices, public interface zones and central reception areas to improve coordination and citizen engagement.
Built to 4-Star GRIHA standards, the complexes incorporate renewable energy, water conservation and waste management systems, alongside smart access control and advanced safety infrastructure. The government said the shift ends decades of fragmented, ageing infrastructure in the Central Vista and marks a move to a modern, efficient and citizen-centric governance ecosystem.
