Rashtrapati Bhavan colonial-era changes in 2024-26

Key facts

• Edward Lutyens statue in Rashtrapati Bhavan central courtyard to be replaced by statue of C Rajagopalachari, India’s only Indian-born governor-general (1948-50).
• Granth Kutir library inaugurated on 23 January 2026 with 2,300 books and manuscripts in 11 classical Indian languages, replacing works of Lord Curzon and William Hogarth.
• Param Vir Dirgha gallery created in January 2026 displaying 21 portraits of Param Vir Chakra awardees, replacing portraits of British aides-de-camp.
• Durbar Hall renamed Ganatantra Mandap and Ashok Hall renamed Ashok Mandap in July 2025 to remove colonial and anglicised connotations.
• Mughal Gardens collectively renamed Amrit Udyan in January 2024, covering 15 acres inspired by Mughal gardens of Jammu and Kashmir and Taj Mahal.
• Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate renamed Kartavya Path in 2022 to symbolise shift from power icon to public ownership.