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Symbolising Shift from Power to Public Service, In line with this approach, Raj Bhawans across states are also being renamed as ‘Lok Bhawans’

New Delhi:  After PM offcial residence at Seven Race Course Road renamed as Lok Kalyan Marg now the newly built complex that will house the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) under the Central Vista Redevelopment project will be named ‘Seva Teerth’, government officials said on Tuesday, underlining what they called a more profound transformation in the philosophy of governance—from authority-driven rule to citizen-centric service.

The sprawling complex, which is in the final stages of completion, was earlier known as the ‘Executive Enclave’. Besides the Prime Minister’s Office, the facility will also accommodate the Cabinet Secretariat, the National Security Council Secretariat, and India House, a dedicated space for high-level engagements with visiting foreign dignitaries.

Officials described ‘Seva Teerth’ as a workplace envisaged to reflect “the spirit of service where national priorities take shape.” They said the renaming reflects a broader ideological and institutional shift underway in India’s public administration. “Governance is moving from satta (power) to seva (service), from authority to responsibility. This is not merely an administrative change, but a cultural and moral transformation,” an official said.

In line with this approach, Raj Bhawans across states are also being renamed as ‘Lok Bhawans’, reinforcing the emphasis on public ownership and accessibility of constitutional institutions.

Officials said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, government spaces and symbols are being reshaped to reflect the values of ‘kartavya’ (duty), transparency, and accountability. “Every name, every building and every symbol now points to a simple idea — that government exists to serve the people,” an official added.

This exercise in reimagining governance spaces has been unfolding over several years. In 2016, the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Race Course Road was renamed Lok Kalyan Marg, a name intended to convey public welfare rather than elite exclusivity. More recently, the iconic Rajpath — the ceremonial boulevard stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate — was renamed Kartavya Path, signalling a shift from colonial legacy to civic duty.

Similarly, the newly constructed Central Secretariat building has been named Kartavya Bhavan, reinforcing the idea that public office is rooted in responsibility rather than privilege.

According to officials, these changes are not merely cosmetic but reflect a broader ideological transition.“Indian democracy is consciously choosing responsibility over power and service over status. A shift in names represents a shift in mindset. Today, the language of governance is being rewritten in the vocabulary of seva, kartavya, and citizen-first administration,” they said. With the rechristening of the PMO complex as ‘Seva Teerth’, the government has sought to place public service at the symbolic and functional heart of India’s highest executive office.