India approved a ₹32.3 billion plan to convert New Delhi’s North and South Block into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, putting a government complex to cultural use after offices moved out.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the project Nov. 11 at an estimated cost of ₹3,230 crore (₹32.3 billion). Development is planned in phases from fiscal 2026-27 through fiscal 2030-31.
The approval gives a proposed built-up area of about 178,509 square meters and says the museum is being equipped to accommodate 10 million visitors a year. The government projects that its display space will be the world’s largest, but the approval statement provides neither a final display-area figure nor the basis for that comparison.
The Ministry of Culture says about 1.8 million objects have been identified, and analysis is still underway. The objects are associated with national and ministry museums, 52 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site museums, state museums and private collections.
The government says the departure of offices made the complex available for reuse and that the conversion is intended to retain its architectural features. It forecasts direct and indirect jobs during construction and operations. The government also lists ticket sales, dining, events, venue hire, digital offerings, tours and retail as potential sources of recurring income.
A 2025 Ministry of Culture tender described an overall project area of about 155,000 square meters and a gallery-design scope of roughly 60,000 square meters. The newer approval gives a larger built-up-area estimate but does not explain how the two measurements relate. The first gallery, themed Adornment, is planned for North Block in the latter part of 2027.
