CCEA approves ₹3,230-crore Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum

11 November 2026 · English History, Art & Culture

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Current affairs of 11 November 2026 (Shanmugam IAS Academy) – explained for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams

News

On 11 November 2026 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum, to be created by reusing the North Block and South Block buildings in New Delhi. The project is estimated at about ₹3,230 crore (appraised by the Public Investment Board on 27 July 2026), with a built-up area of about 1,78,509 sq m. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said it is envisaged as the world's largest museum in terms of display area. It will be implemented in phases from 2026-27 to 2030-31; the first gallery, 'Adornment', is reported to open in North Block in the second half of 2027. Thematic galleries will cover ancient civilisations, intellectual traditions, arts and indigenous knowledge systems. The PM first announced the museum on 18 May 2023; an agreement with France, experienced in turning old office buildings into museums, was signed in December 2024. The buildings are being vacated as the PMO moves to 'Seva Teerth' and ministries to the 'Kartavya Bhavans'.

Key facts for the exam

Background

• History: The North and South Blocks (the Central Secretariat) were designed by British architect Herbert Baker; built from 1912, they were completed in 1927. Apart from Rashtrapati Bhavan (then Viceroy's House), they are the only buildings on Raisina Hill. South Block housed the PMO and the Defence and External Affairs ministries; North Block housed Finance and Home. On 13 February 2026 the PM dedicated the new PMO, 'Seva Teerth', to the nation.
• France link: In December 2024 India's National Museum and France Muséums Développement signed an agreement in New Delhi. The Louvre in Paris was once a royal palace, part of which housed France's finance ministry; France was chosen for this experience of converting office buildings into museums.
• Indian museums: India's oldest museum is the Indian Museum, Kolkata (1814, founded by the Asiatic Society of Bengal). The Government Museum, Egmore, Chennai (1851) is the country's second oldest. The National Museum, New Delhi began in 1949; the new museum is reported to replace it as the national museum.
• International Museum Day: Observed every year on 18 May since 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). On this day in 2023, at the International Museum Expo at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, the PM announced this museum project.

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Sources: ANI; Dynamite News; Indian Opinion; Deccan Herald; News On AIR; New India Samachar (PIB); The Tribune; Incredible India. Compiled by Shanmugam IAS Academy.

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