Newly Inaugurated or Renamed Places and Their Significance
International Relations & Places in News › Places in the News – Domestic Locations Linked to Current Events · Topic 15.4
Newly inaugurated or renamed places are locations that enter current affairs because of a new building or a change of name, often with a symbolic message. Examples include the new Parliament building inaugurated on 28 May 2023, Kartavya Path, renamed from Rajpath in September 2022, the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, consecrated on 22 January 2024, Port Blair, renamed Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024, and the 2025 renaming of Raj Bhavans as Lok Bhavans. The Prime Minister's Office was moved to a new complex called Seva Teerth, and the Central Secretariat buildings are called Kartavya Bhavan. Governments say that renamings remove colonial legacies, while critics question their cost and necessity.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · International Relations · Places in the News – Domestic Locations Linked to Current Events
At a Glance
- Rajpath Kartavya Path (September 2022)
- Raj Bhavan Lok Bhavan (from late 2025)
- Port Blair Sri Vijaya Puram (2024)
- New Parliament Inaugurated 28 May 2023
- Ram Mandir Consecrated 22 January 2024
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, International Relations: Places in the News – Domestic Locations Linked to Current Events
Where Does It Fit?
This is the fourth topic of the macro on domestic locations linked to current events. Old name and new name pairs are among the easiest prelims facts to ask, and they change often, so recent examples matter most. Previous topic: Nathu La Sikkim; trade pass with…">Border Towns and Strategic Locations Frequently in the News (Siliguri Corridor, Doklam Plateau). Next topic: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India Added in Recent Years.
Which Places Were Renamed?
- Kartavya Path: Rajpath and Central Vista Avenue were renamed Kartavya Path and inaugurated on 8 September 2022, with the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the canopy near India Gate.
- Lok Kalyan Marg: the Prime Minister’s residence road, earlier Race Course Road, was renamed in 2016.
- Amrit Udyan: the Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan were renamed Amrit Udyan in January 2023 during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- Sri Vijaya Puram: the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair, was renamed Sri Vijaya Puram in 2024, referring to the Chola-era naval link. Check the official notification.
- Andaman islands: Ross Island became Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island Shaheed Dweep and Havelock Island Swaraj Dweep in 2018.
- Cities: Allahabad became Prayagraj (2018), Hoshangabad became Narmadapuram (2022), and Maharashtra renamed Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv.
Which Buildings and Complexes Were Inaugurated or Renamed?
| Place | Detail |
|---|---|
| New Parliament building | Inaugurated on 28 May 2023 on the Central Vista, a triangular building with a Lok Sabha chamber seating over 800 and a Rajya Sabha chamber of over 300. The Sengol was installed in the Lok Sabha |
| Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan | The Ministry of Home Affairs asked states and Union Territories in late 2025 to rename Governors’ residences as Lok Bhavan. At least eight states and one Union Territory had done so by December 2025, according to reports |
| Seva Teerth | The new complex housing the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Secretariat and National Security Council Secretariat at the Central Vista |
| Kartavya Bhavan | The new Common Central Secretariat buildings to which most ministries moved |
| Ram Mandir, Ayodhya | The temple consecration (Pran Pratishtha) was held on 22 January 2024. Ayodhya’s airport was named Maharishi Valmiki International Airport |
| Bharat Mandapam | Convention centre opened in July 2023, as in Places Hosting Major International Summits in India (New Delhi G20, Varanasi, etc.) |
How Are Places Renamed?
- States: the renaming of a state requires Parliament under Article 3 of the Constitution. Examples are Orissa becoming Odisha in 2011 through the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Act.
- Cities and districts: a state government can rename towns and districts, but needs a no-objection certificate from the Union Home Ministry, with clearances from the Survey of India, the Department of Posts and the Railways.
- Railway stations: renamed by the Railway Ministry after the state proposal and Home Ministry clearance.
- Central buildings: the Union government can name roads and buildings in its control, such as in New Delhi, through the New Delhi Municipal Council.
- Geographical names: the Union government also keeps a Standing Committee on Geographical Names to standardise names.
Why Does It Matter and What Are the Debates?
- Symbolism: supporters say renaming removes colonial symbols, as the name Raj Bhavan referred to British rule, and that it reflects service to the people.
- Cost and disruption: critics point to the cost of changing documents, signs and maps, and ask for the money to be spent on development.
- Federalism: the Governor’s residence name is decided by states, but the Centre asked for uniformity, which raises federal questions.
- Heritage: removing historic names can erase local history, as in debates on the Mughal-era names.
- Exam use: questions ask old and new names and years, so maintaining a list helps.
As an analytical point, renamings are political and cultural statements. Aspirants should know the facts, the process and the arguments on both sides, rather than just the names.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Facts Old and new names asked
- Process Who can rename
- Debate Symbolism versus cost
What Came Next?
The next topic covers UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India added in recent years. Next topic: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India Added in Recent Years.
Key People and Terms
- Kartavya Path Renamed Rajpath
- Lok Bhavan New name for Raj Bhavan
- Seva Teerth New PMO complex
- Amrit Udyan Renamed Mughal Gardens
- NOC No-objection certificate
- Article 3 Parliament’s power over state names
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Rajpath to Kartavya Path: September 2022.
- Mughal Gardens to Amrit Udyan: 2023.
- New Parliament: 28 May 2023.
- Ram Mandir consecration: 22 January 2024.
- Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan: late 2025.
Do Not Confuse With
- Lok Bhavan and Lok Kalyan Marg Governor’s residence versus the Prime Minister’s road
- Kartavya Path and Kartavya Bhavan Avenue versus Secretariat buildings
- Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan PMO complex versus ministries’ complex
Memory Hook
Raj to Kartavya, Mughal to Amrit, Parliament new in twenty-three; Ram Mandir twenty-four, Lok Bhavan twenty-five, Seva Teerth to see.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the debate on renaming. These points add depth.
- Rationale Colonial legacy
- Process Centre and states
- Critique Cost and history
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine the arguments for and against the renaming of places and institutions in India.”
How to Answer
- Examples Recent renamings.
- Process Who decides.
- For Decolonisation.
- Against Cost, heritage.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Rajpath renamed to?
Rajpath, the ceremonial avenue in New Delhi from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, was renamed Kartavya Path and inaugurated on 8 September 2022. The change was described as a shift from a symbol of colonial rule to one of duty and public service.
Why were Raj Bhavans renamed Lok Bhavans?
In late 2025 the Union Home Ministry asked states and Union Territories to rename Raj Bhavans, the Governors' official residences, as Lok Bhavans, saying that the old name reflected a colonial mindset. At least eight states and one Union Territory had made the change by December 2025.
What is Seva Teerth?
Seva Teerth is the new complex built at the Central Vista in New Delhi to house the Prime Minister's Office, the Cabinet Secretariat and related offices. It was earlier described as the Executive Enclave, and offices moved there in 2025 and 2026, according to reports.
When was the new Parliament building inaugurated?
The new Parliament building in New Delhi was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 May 2023. It is part of the Central Vista redevelopment, has larger chambers for the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and houses the Sengol, a ceremonial sceptre.
Who has the power to rename a state or a city in India?
The renaming of a state requires an Act of Parliament under Article 3 of the Constitution. Cities, towns and districts can be renamed by state governments with a no-objection certificate from the Union Home Ministry, and clearance from agencies such as the Survey of India, the Department of Posts and the Railways.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path in 2022.
On 8 September 2022.
2 Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj in 2018.
By Uttar Pradesh.
3 The renaming of a state requires an Act of Parliament.
Under Article 3.
4 The Mughal Gardens were renamed Lok Udyan.
They became Amrit Udyan.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Places in the News – Domestic Locations Linked to Current Events. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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