Central Vista library allocation has changed after Supreme Court scrutiny of plans to relocate the Central Secretariat Library from Shastri Bhawan. The decision raises questions about institutional coordination and the continuity of public services during national infrastructure redevelopment.
Quick answer: The Central Vista library allocation is now about 4,000 square metres at Netaji Nagar, according to ministry sources. The change followed Supreme Court scrutiny of relocation plans for the library at Shastri Bhawan. An earlier 300-square-metre allocation was rejected as inadequate; the next hearing is scheduled for 16 November 2026.
What changed in the Central Vista library allocation?
The Centre has allocated rooms at Netaji Nagar after an earlier proposal for two rooms at Kartavya Bhawan-2 drew objections. The Ministry of Culture had rejected the approximately 300-square-metre proposal as inadequate for the library.
On 6 November, the Directorate of Estates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) issued an office memorandum approving relocation. It identified ground-floor rooms at Government Pool Office Accommodation (GPOA)-2, about seven kilometres from Shastri Bhawan.
However, the memorandum did not specify the area. MoHUA sources put it at around 4,000 square metres, compared with nearly 5,500 square metres currently occupied across four floors.
| Space or request | Area |
|---|---|
| Current Shastri Bhawan premises | Nearly 5,500 sq m |
| Culture Ministry request in 2023 | Approximately 5,466 sq m |
| Earlier Kartavya Bhawan-2 allocation | About 300 sq m |
| Netaji Nagar allocation, according to MoHUA sources | Around 4,000 sq m |
Why did the Supreme Court seek relocation details?
The Supreme Court sought details after taking suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report on inadequate relocation space. Suo motu means that the court acted on its own initiative.
On 5 October, the court asked the government for a detailed affidavit covering the proposed area and actual layout plans. The matter is scheduled for hearing on 16 November 2026; the source does not report a final court decision.
Earlier, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had asked ministries and departments to vacate Shastri Bhawan by September-end. The building is slated for demolition under the redevelopment plan. Meanwhile, MoHUA said on 1 October that the library had a provision under the Kartavya Path redevelopment plan.
How has the library evolved?
The library began in Kolkata in 1891 as the Imperial Secretariat Library. Its successive moves reflect changes in the seat and organisation of the central administration.
| Year or period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1891 | Founded as the Imperial Secretariat Library in Kolkata |
| After the 1911 capital shift decision | Moved to the Old Secretariat Building in Civil Lines, Delhi |
| 1930s | Shifted to North Block after its construction |
| Since 1969 | Located at Shastri Bhawan; renamed after Independence |
Why does the relocation matter for governance?
The relocation tests whether redevelopment can protect an existing institution while creating new office infrastructure. The issue is not merely the availability of rooms, but whether their design supports the library’s functions.
Service continuity and access
The library holds 8.5 lakh books; therefore, shifting its collection requires a plan for storage, handling and continued access. A larger allocation improves on the earlier proposal, but its suitability depends on the layout and usable space.
In 2023, the Culture Ministry sought space in the Common Central Secretariat for easy access by ministries and departments. The Netaji Nagar site is instead about seven kilometres from the current premises. Consequently, accessibility and transport deserve attention alongside floor area.
Coordination and accountability
The case involves the Culture Ministry as the library’s ministry, MoHUA as the allocating ministry and CPWD in the redevelopment process. Their different responsibilities make early coordination important, particularly when an occupant must vacate before construction.
Judicial scrutiny can bring planning information into the open; however, a request for an affidavit is not a final ruling on adequacy. The pending hearing provides an occasion to examine the government’s plans without assuming its outcome.
What should a relocation plan address?
A credible plan should connect the allocated area with the collection, users and the redevelopment timetable. The following measures are analytical suggestions, not announced decisions:
- Layout and capacity: Publish room-wise plans showing space for books, readers, staff and future needs.
- Safe transition: Inventory and protect the collection before moving it; meanwhile, specify arrangements for access during the shift.
- User access: Assess transport and accessibility at Netaji Nagar, including access for persons with disabilities.
- Institutional coordination: Assign responsibilities and timelines to the ministries and implementing agencies; also review progress against them.
Overall, redevelopment should treat an institutional library as a continuing service, not simply as an office-space requirement. The forthcoming affidavit and hearing may clarify how the government proposes to meet that objective.
Source: The Indian Express, 10 November 2026
- SENGOL (21 May 2023)
Asked in UPSC: Previous Year Questions
- UPSC CSE Mains 2024 (GS Paper II): Explain the growth of public interest litigation in India. Has it made the Indian Supreme Court the world’s most powerful judiciary?
UPSC examines judicial intervention and its implications; however, distinguish public interest litigation from a court’s suo motu action.
State PCS General Studies can test the library’s history and the distinction between an allocation and a court ruling. In addition, the case offers an example of coordinating public services during redevelopment.
Prelims Practice Corner
Mains Practice Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the Central Secretariat Library move?
It is allocated rooms at GPOA-2, Netaji Nagar. The site is about seven kilometres from its current Shastri Bhawan location.
How much space has the library been allocated?
About 4,000 square metres, according to MoHUA sources. However, the office memorandum did not specify the area.
Why did the Supreme Court examine the relocation?
It took suo motu cognisance of a report about inadequate relocation space. Consequently, it sought an affidavit on the proposed area and layout plans.
When was the Central Secretariat Library founded?
It was founded in 1891 in Kolkata as the Imperial Secretariat Library. After Independence, it received its present name.
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