Archive · 29 Sep 2026
135-Year-Old Central Library Faces Uncertain Future in Central Vista
The Central Secretariat Library is a very old government library.
It was founded in 1891 and has more than 8.5 lakh books.
Some of its books are rare, and it also keeps official records and gazetteers.
The library moved to Delhi when British India’s capital changed from Calcutta in 1911.
It has moved several times since then.
Since 1969, it has been housed in Shastri Bhawan.
Shastri Bhawan is planned for demolition as part of the Central Vista project.
Officials have not yet decided where the library and its huge collection will go.
The Central Secretariat Library, founded in 1891, contains more than 8.5 lakh books.
Its collection includes rare books, official records and gazetteers across four floors and nearly 5,500 square metres.
The library moved from Calcutta to Delhi after the capital shift was announced in 1911.
It has occupied Shastri Bhawan since 1969, after earlier locations in Civil Lines and North Block.
MoHUA and CPWD have not yet identified a new location as Shastri Bhawan faces demolition under the Central Vista plan.
- Who
- The Central Secretariat Library, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the Central Public Works Department.
- What
- The library needs a new location because Shastri Bhawan is slated to be demolished.
- When
- The library was founded in 1891, moved to Delhi in 1911, and has been in Shastri Bhawan since 1969.
- Where
- The library is currently housed in Shastri Bhawan in Delhi.
- Why
- Shastri Bhawan is being pulled down as part of the Central Vista revamp plan.
- Founded
- 1891
- Collection
- More than 8.5 lakh books
- Facilities
- Rare books, official records and gazetteers
- Size
- Nearly 5,500 sq m across four floors
- Current location
- Shastri Bhawan, Delhi
- New location
- Not yet identified
- Responsible agencies
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Central Public Works Department