Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Plan for Library Relocation
The Central Secretariat Library in Delhi is 135 years old and has more than 8.5 lakh books and other items.
It has been in Shastri Bhawan since 1969, but that building is planned for demolition and redevelopment.
Reports said the library might get only two rooms in a new building.
The housing ministry said space for the library is part of the redevelopment plan and that construction preparations are underway.
The Supreme Court is asking the government to explain exactly how much space the library will get.
It also wants to see the proposed layout.
The Centre has three weeks to provide these details.
The Court wants to know whether the space can hold the full collection, including books kept at another facility.
The Supreme Court took up a suo motu case over the proposed relocation of Delhi’s 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library.
The library has more than 8.5 lakh volumes and has been housed across four floors of Shastri Bhawan since 1969.
The Court directed the Centre to provide an affidavit with the exact space earmarked and the proposed layout plan.
The Centre was given three weeks to explain the accommodation and whether it can house the full collection, including books at the R.K. Puram facility.
Media reports described an allotment of two rooms at Kartavya Bhawan-2, while the housing ministry said library space was included in the redevelopment plan and construction preparations were underway.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Centre, and the Central Secretariat Library.
- What
- The Court sought a detailed affidavit and layout plan for the library’s proposed relocation.
- When
- The case was registered on October 3; reports said it was scheduled for hearing on October 5. The Centre was given three weeks to provide details.
- Where
- The library is currently housed in Shastri Bhawan, Delhi; Kartavya Bhawan-2 is the reported proposed location.
- Why
- Shastri Bhawan is proposed for demolition and redevelopment, prompting questions about suitable accommodation and preservation of the library’s collection.
Reported concerns and court scrutiny
Housing ministry’s position
Whether the proposed space is adequate
Reported concerns and court scrutiny
Media reports cited an allotment of two rooms, and the Court questioned whether the proposed accommodation could hold the extensive collection, including books at the R.K. Puram facility.
Housing ministry’s position
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said space for the library had been provided in the redevelopment plan and that the necessary construction process was underway.
- Library established
- 1891, originally as the Imperial Secretariat Library in Calcutta
- Collection
- More than 8.5 lakh volumes, including rare books, official publications, records and gazetteers
- Current location
- Four floors of Shastri Bhawan since 1969
- Proposed location
- Kartavya Bhawan-2; reports cited two rooms and a proposal of about 300 square metres
- Court's direction
- The Centre must file an affidavit stating the exact space and provide the proposed layout plan
- Response deadline
- Three weeks
- Ministry position
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said space was provided for in the redevelopment plan and construction preparations were underway
Sources
SC Notice to Centre on Proposed Relocation of 135-Yr-Old Central Secretariat Library
8.5 lakh books, 135 years of history: Supreme Court to hear case on relocation of Central Secretariat Library on Monday
SC To Hear Plea On Relocation Of 135-Year-Old Central Secretariat Library
Top Court To Hear Relocation Of 135-Year-Old Government Library In Delhi Case