Envisaged as a landmark civilisational museum, the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum will showcase India's cultural heritage, highlighting its continuity, diversity and evolution through an integrated presentation of tangible and intangible heritage. It will be developed through the adaptive reuse of the historic North and South Block buildings, preserving their architectural character while giving them a new public and cultural purpose.
The museum will cover a proposed built-up area of approximately 1,78,509 sq. m. and integrate contemporary museum practices, immersive technologies and visitor-oriented facilities. According to the government, it is planned to have the world's largest display area.
The museum will present India's civilisational journey through thematic galleries and exhibitions covering its cultural traditions, knowledge systems, artistic practices and heritage. The project includes gallery development, collection storage and conservation facilities, visitor amenities, immersive experiences, landscaping, intelligent building systems and associated infrastructure.
The establishment of the museum was announced by the Prime Minister on May 18, 2023. The relocation of government offices from the North and South Blocks has provided an opportunity to repurpose the historic buildings as a major public cultural institution. The project proposal was appraised by the Public Investment Board on July 27, 2026, and the Ministry of Culture has concurred with its recommendations.
The project will be implemented in phases from FY2026-27 to FY2030-31. The first gallery, based on the theme of Adornment, is expected to open to the public in the North Block in the latter part of 2027. A modular approach is being developed to facilitate the addition of further galleries.
The content and collection assessment has identified approximately 1.8 million objects from the National Museum and other Ministry of Culture museums, 52 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site museums, state museums and private collections for potential display.
Other planned galleries will cover themes such as Architecture and Cityscapes, Mathematics and Astronomy, Languages and Scripts, Faith and Spirituality, and Bharat Connects – Trade and Ideas.
Implementation will involve coordinated project management, design and technical oversight, quality assurance and periodic monitoring. The project is being developed in line with international practices in museum planning, heritage conservation, exhibition design and sustainable cultural management, adapted to India's cultural context.
The museum is expected to support cultural tourism, education, research and international engagement while strengthening the preservation and presentation of India's civilisational heritage. It is also expected to generate direct and indirect employment during construction and operations, creating opportunities for artisans, craftspeople, researchers, museologists, designers, performers and other creative professionals. Tourism and hospitality-related activities are also expected to benefit.
The project will promote domestic manufacturing through vendor development initiatives, creating opportunities for Indian artisans, manufacturers, conservation professionals and technology providers to supply museum materials and products. Accessible visitor facilities and contemporary museum technologies are also planned to improve public engagement.
The total estimated project cost of Rs 3,230 crore is based on architectural and exhibition design, engineering and museum planning requirements, along with technical assessments undertaken by the concerned agencies.
The museum is expected to generate recurring revenue through ticket sales, food and beverage facilities, events, venue rentals, digital experiences, guided tours, retail outlets and other visitor services. Its planned capacity is to accommodate up to one crore visitors annually.
Located in New Delhi, the museum is envisaged as a national cultural and educational institution serving the general public, students, researchers, scholars, cultural practitioners and domestic and international tourists. While its physical infrastructure will be concentrated in the National Capital, it is intended to cater to visitors from all States and Union Territories.
