From South Block to ‘Seva Teerth’: PMO set for historic shift under Central Vista project

The Prime Minister’s Office is preparing to move out of the iconic South Block to the newly built Seva Teerth complex, marking a major change in governance style, architecture, technology and administrative coordination.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is set to move out of the historic South Block and relocate to Seva Teerth, a newly constructed executive complex under the Central Vista project. The shift signals a major departure from the colonial-era working environment to a modern, technology-driven and service-oriented governance model.

For decades, South Block symbolised power and hierarchy. Thick sandstone walls, narrow corridors and closed rooms defined how authority functioned. Access was restricted, movement was controlled, and key decisions were taken behind heavy doors. Seva Teerth has been designed as a clear break from this structure.

The new PMO is built around an open-floor concept. Instead of closed cabins, officials will work in shared spaces aimed at encouraging collaboration and faster coordination. Senior officials say the design reduces layers of formality and improves communication within the system.

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Architecturally, while South Block reflected colonial design, Seva Teerth blends modern construction with elements drawn from Indian civilisation. The interiors carry cultural motifs inspired by India’s heritage, while the overall structure remains minimal and functional. The Prime Minister’s private and ceremonial meeting rooms have been redesigned to host foreign leaders and international delegations, combining tradition with contemporary infrastructure.

Technology marks another major difference. While South Block was upgraded over the years, Seva Teerth has been built from the ground up with encrypted communication systems, advanced cyber security networks and integrated security architecture. Officials say the building is earthquake-resistant and designed to remain operational under all conditions.

A key new feature within the PMO complex is ‘India House’, a modern conference facility created for high-level bilateral meetings, international conferences and press interactions. Such a dedicated facility did not exist earlier, often requiring arrangements across multiple locations.

Seva Teerth is not just a new address. It brings together top centres of governance within one campus. Seva Teerth One houses the PMO, Seva Teerth Two accommodates the Cabinet Secretariat, and Seva Teerth Three houses the National Security Council Secretariat along with the National Security Adviser’s office. Earlier, these bodies functioned from separate locations, slowing coordination on sensitive matters.

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The shift also carries a symbolic message. Originally called the Executive Enclave, the complex was renamed Seva Teerth to underline service as the core of governance. Officials describe it as a move away from authority-driven administration to responsibility-based governance.

Once the PMO vacates South Block, the historic North and South Blocks will be converted into a public museum named the Yuga Yugin Bharat Museum. This marks the end of an era when colonial buildings housed the power centres of independent India.

Officials say Seva Teerth, built at an estimated cost of ₹1,200 crore, represents not just a change of location, but a redefinition of how power and administration function in modern India.

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