India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a ₹3,230 crore (about $340 million) plan on November 11 to turn New Delhi’s North and South Blocks into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum. The project is intended to present the country’s history and civilization across thousands of years.
The complex is planned to cover about 178,509 square meters and is designed to accommodate up to 10 million visitors annually, according to the Indian government. The museum’s name translates from Sanskrit as “India through the ages.”
First gallery planned for 2027
The first gallery, focused on adornment, is expected to open in the second half of 2027. Other galleries are due to open in stages, while the project is scheduled to run through the 2030-31 fiscal year.
The North and South Blocks are colonial-era buildings on Raisina Hill that previously housed government offices. The project will repurpose the buildings as a museum, following the relocation of offices from the blocks.
The museum was first announced in 2023. India’s government says its galleries will cover subjects including ancient knowledge systems, mathematics, astronomy, architecture, art, languages and spirituality. Officials have identified around 1.8 million objects from national and state museums, archaeological collections and private holdings for possible display; the collection review is underway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the buildings would become a place for visitors to explore India’s civilizational history. The approval now sets the project’s cost and delivery timetable.