In New Delhi, on February 24, the Union Cabinet, meeting for the first time at Seva Teerth, the new Prime Minister's Office complex, resolved that every decision made within the complex would be guided by the principle of "Nagrik Devo Bhava" (the people are supreme) and would serve as a platform for empowering every Indian, rather than a place for displaying power.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also resolved that all governance activities conducted from Seva Teerth would remain focused on simplifying the lives of ordinary citizens.
According to the resolution, titled "Seva Sankalp Resolution," every decision made in the new building would be inspired by a commitment to serving 1.4 billion citizens and would contribute to the broader goal of nation-building.
The resolution stated: "The Union Cabinet reaffirms its commitment that every decision made within this complex will be guided by the principle of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava.' This place will not be a center for displaying power, but rather a center for empowering every Indian."
It continued: "We reaffirm that, in line with our vision, we will further strengthen the governance model that is transparent, accountable, and sensitive to the needs of citizens."
During a cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the work culture at Seva Teerth would be guided by the fundamental ethos of the Constitution, and that every decision would be accountable to the aspirations of the people.
The resolution highlighted that this meeting and this building represent a direct expression of the reconstruction of New India.
The resolution stated: "With this auspicious beginning, we welcome the future whose foundation has been laid by centuries of effort. After independence, for so many decades, governments operated from the Prime Minister's Office in South Block, preserving the legacy and envisioning the future. We envisioned an India whose values are indigenous, whose form is modern, and whose capabilities are boundless. Today, Seva Teerth is the embodiment of that very vision, which will enhance India's pride as the Mother of Democracy."
Vaishnaw said that the cabinet remembered the history of the complex's location, which was the site of temporary barracks from the British era.
He said that before colonial rule, India was a nation recognized for both its material grandeur and its human values.
The concept of Seva Teerth is based on the confluence of these two ideals, he said.
The resolution stated: "The message of service was reaffirmed and re-emphasized, and discussions were held on how to take forward the Prime Minister's vision of converting it into reforms that improve the lives of every citizen and create new opportunities."
Vaishnaw said that the first meeting is a significant milestone in India's history.
The resolution stated: "For us, constitutional values are the expression of that moral commitment which connects governance with the dignity, equality, and justice of every citizen. The work culture of 'Seva Teerth' will be guided by this very spirit, where every policy will be in accordance with the fundamental ethos of the Constitution and every decision will be accountable to the aspirations of the people."
The resolution stated that "Seva Teerth" is the answer to the need for governance infrastructure that promotes dynamism instead of stagnation, dedication instead of indifference, and solutions instead of doubt.
The resolution stated that the decisions taken in recent years under Modi's leadership have brought new clarity to the purpose of governance and strengthened public trust in governance.
It stated that in the past decade, the country has achieved what was once considered impossible by lifting more than 25 crore citizens out of poverty.
Through Ayushman Bharat, the nation achieved the distinction of connecting crores of people to health security, and the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ensured food security for nearly 80 crore citizens, bringing an end to the scourge of hunger, it said.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the construction of over 12 crore toilets provided crores of families and women with a life of dignity.
The construction of more than 40 million houses granted shelter to crores of families. In rural areas, through the Jal Jeevan Mission, access to drinking water has been provided to around 16 crore citizens, the resolution read.
The Union Cabinet views these transformations as a continuous journey of reforms. With the mantra of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance," reforms such as GST, DBT, and Digital India have made governance more transparent, more efficient, and more citizen-centric, it read.
The cabinet said it takes a firm resolve that with the new energy of "Seva Teerth" and the rapid pace of the "Reform Express," we will fulfil its commitment to secure India's place among the top three economies of the world in the near future.
"Today, the Union Cabinet again dedicated itself to the national resolve of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. This is a long-term national journey, in which the decisions taken today will determine the future shape of the coming generations. This first meeting at 'Seva Teerth' reminds us that the greater the goal of development, the deeper must be our sense of responsibility towards it," the resolution read.
The cabinet said the premise is not merely a modern workplace but also a symbol of a new work culture in governance.
It said this first meeting further strengthens the belief that with the right policy, honest intent, and correct leadership, the path toward building a Developed India will continue to be illuminated.
The cabinet said it "reiterates" its commitment to make "Seva Teerth" a global example of sensitive, accountable, and citizen-centric governance.
"The Cabinet resolves that in the journey to make India a prosperous, capable, and self-reliant nation by 2047, this premises will serve as a powerful center of national aspirations," it said.