Sources told PTI that the government is undertaking a broad renaming exercise of public institutions to emphasise the idea of service over power in governance. PMO officials said the change is not merely administrative but represents a cultural shift. Earlier, the Centre had renamed Rajpath as Kartavya Path, and in 2016, the Prime Minister’s official residence address was changed from Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg.
Why was Raj Bhavan renamed?
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a consensus emerged during last year’s Governors’ Conference that the term “Raj Bhavan” reflects a colonial mindset. Following that discussion, it was decided that the residences of Governors and Lieutenant Governors would henceforth be known as Lok Bhavan and Lok Nivas.
PMO to shift from 78-year-old South Block
The Prime Minister’s Office will soon move out of the historic South Block building and begin functioning from the new “Seva Tirth” campus. This transition is a key part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. On October 14, Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan held a high-level meeting with the service chiefs at Seva Tirth-2.
Structure of Seva Tirth
What is the Central Vista Project?
Under the Central Vista Project, the entire administrative stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate is being modernised. It includes the construction of a new Parliament building, residences for the Prime Minister and Vice-President, the Central Secretariat, and other major structures. The project has an estimated cost of ₹20,000 crore.
Home Ministry also shifting its address
The Home Ministry will soon move out of North Block and shift to the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) building on Janpath. Once all ministries relocate, the North and South Blocks will be converted into the “Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum”, which will display 25,000 to 30,000 artefacts.
This museum is expected to be among the largest in the world
