Supreme Court Orders Centre to Detail Library Space in Central Vista Plan
On October 5, 2026, the Supreme Court of India issued a suo motu direction requiring the Centre to file an affidavit detailing the space allocation earmarked for the Central Secretariat Library under the Central Vista Plan. The order emerged from proceedings concerning the proposed relocation of the 135-year-old institution in Delhi. The Court expressed concern for the preservation and proper accommodation of the historical library within a major redevelopment project.
The Central Secretariat Library, established over a century ago, holds significant institutional and historical value as a repository of government documents and research materials. Its relocation as part of the Central Vista Plan—a comprehensive redevelopment initiative for the nation's capital—has raised questions about whether adequate space and facilities will be provided to maintain the library's function and heritage status.
Central Vista Plan and the Library's Future
The Central Vista Plan encompasses the redesign and modernisation of India's central administrative and ceremonial spaces in New Delhi. As part of this broader redevelopment, various institutions housed in older structures have required relocation. The Central Secretariat Library, which has occupied its current premises for decades, faces displacement to make way for the project's architectural and infrastructure objectives.
The Court's suo motu intervention—initiated by the Court itself rather than through a petition—signals that the judiciary has taken independent notice of concerns surrounding the library's future. This procedural step typically indicates that the Court views the matter as sufficiently important to warrant direct judicial scrutiny without waiting for formal litigation.
Affidavit as a Tool for Accountability
By directing the filing of an affidavit, the Supreme Court of India has placed the burden on the Centre to provide transparent, documented information about how the library will be accommodated. An affidavit is a sworn statement and carries legal weight; false or misleading information in such a document can attract contempt of courts proceedings. This requirement ensures that the government's plans are placed on record and subject to judicial examination.
The order reflects a judicial approach to heritage preservation within development projects. Indian courts have increasingly recognised that modernisation and heritage conservation need not be mutually exclusive. When public institutions with historical significance are displaced, courts have begun examining whether adequate measures are in place to preserve their functional and cultural value.
The Central Secretariat Library's 135-year history spans multiple political regimes and constitutional periods. It has served as an institutional memory, housing records, legislation, and scholarly materials essential for governance and research. The Court's direction acknowledges that relocation must not diminish the library's capacity to serve these functions or erase its historical continuity.
What the Affidavit Must Establish
The affidavit requirement will compel the Centre to specify several critical details: the exact square footage allocated to the library at its new location, whether the space is sufficient for current collections and future expansion, what facilities will be provided, the timeline for relocation, and how continuity of access and service will be maintained during the transition.
The Court's direction also raises questions about whether the new space will meet modern library standards while preserving the institutional character of the Central Secretariat Library. This extends beyond mere physical accommodation to encompass considerations of accessibility, climate control for document preservation, reading and research facilities, and staff accommodation.
By seeking detailed information through an affidavit, the Court has created a mechanism for ongoing judicial oversight. If the information provided proves inadequate or if the Centre fails to meet the standards outlined in its own affidavit during implementation, the Court retains the authority to intervene further. This approach allows the judiciary to monitor compliance without micromanaging the project.
Precedent in Institutional Protection
Indian courts have previously intervened in cases involving institutional relocation and heritage preservation. The judiciary has recognised that some institutions acquire constitutional or quasi-constitutional status through their longevity and role in governance. The Central Secretariat Library, as a government institution serving multiple branches of administration, falls into this category.
The suo motu direction also reflects the Court's recognition that heritage preservation cannot be left entirely to executive discretion. While the government retains primary responsibility for planning and executing the Central Vista Plan, the judiciary serves as a check to ensure that institutional interests are not subordinated to architectural or financial considerations.
Template for Future Projects
The Court's intervention in the Central Secretariat Library matter may establish a template for how heritage institutions are treated in future large-scale redevelopment projects. The requirement for detailed affidavits on space allocation and preservation measures could become standard practice for any major project involving the relocation of established institutions.
This approach balances development imperatives with institutional continuity. The Centre retains the authority to proceed with the Central Vista Plan, but must do so with transparent documentation of how heritage institutions will be protected. The affidavit requirement does not block the project; it makes the government accountable for its commitments regarding the library.
Next Steps
The Centre now faces a deadline to file the affidavit, though the specific date was not disclosed in the Court's order. Once filed, the affidavit will become part of the public record and subject to scrutiny by the Court and potentially by interested parties. If the information is found to be inadequate or if concerns arise about implementation, further hearings may be scheduled.
The Central Secretariat Library's fate under the Central Vista Plan will now proceed under judicial oversight. The institution's 135-year history will be weighed against the demands of modern urban planning, but not without a court ensuring that preservation concerns receive serious consideration.
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