The Union Cabinet’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, November 11, approved a ₹3,230-crore project to develop the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum in the historic North and South Block buildings in New Delhi.
The museum will showcase India’s civilisational journey and its tangible and intangible cultural heritage. It will be developed by adapting the two historic buildings for public use while preserving their architectural character and heritage value.
Spread across a proposed built-up area of around 1,78,509 square metres, the museum will use modern exhibition practices, immersive technologies and visitor-focused facilities. According to the government, it is planned to have the world’s largest museum display area.
Museum to Open in Phases from 2027
The project will be implemented in phases between the 2026-27 and 2030-31 financial years. The first gallery, based on the theme of ‘Adornment’, is expected to open to visitors in the North Block in the second half of 2027.
The museum will feature thematic galleries and exhibitions covering India’s cultural traditions, knowledge systems, artistic practices and heritage. Other proposed galleries will focus on architecture and cityscapes, mathematics and astronomy, languages and scripts, faith and spirituality, and trade and ideas under the theme ‘Bharat Connects’.
The project will also include collection storage and conservation facilities, visitor amenities, landscaping, intelligent building systems and immersive technological experiences.
Around 1.8 million objects have been identified for potential display. These include collections from the National Museum, other museums under the Ministry of Culture, 52 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site museums, state museums and private collections.
North and South Blocks to Get New Public Role
The Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum was announced by Prime Minister Modi on May 18, 2023. The project became possible after government offices began moving out of the historic North and South Block buildings.
The government said the project would give the buildings a new public and cultural purpose while preserving their architectural and heritage significance.
“The historic North and South Block buildings, following the relocation of Government offices, provide a unique opportunity for their adaptive reuse for a significant public cultural purpose,” an official statement said after the CCEA meeting.
The proposal was appraised by the Public Investment Board on July 27, 2026, and the Ministry of Culture has agreed with its recommendations.
Museum Expected to Attract One Crore Visitors Annually
The museum is being designed to accommodate up to one crore visitors every year. It is expected to serve students, researchers, scholars, cultural practitioners, domestic tourists and international visitors.
The government expects the project to create employment during its construction and operational phases. It could provide opportunities for artisans, craftspeople, researchers, designers, conservation experts and technology providers, while also supporting businesses in tourism and hospitality.
The museum is also expected to generate revenue through ticket sales, guided tours, food and beverage services, events, venue rentals, retail outlets and digital experiences.
The government said the institution would provide opportunities for public learning, academic research and cultural engagement. It added that a fixed beneficiary count was not applicable to the project.
The total estimated cost of the museum is ₹3,230 crore. While the buildings will be located in New Delhi, the institution is intended to attract visitors from across India and abroad.
