New Delhi: The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance has officially released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for its much-anticipated move from North Block to Kartavya Bhawan-1 (CCS-1). The shift is scheduled to begin from September 22, 2025, coinciding with the Navratri period, considered an auspicious time in the Hindu calendar.
The relocation is part of the broader Central Vista redevelopment project, which involves transforming heritage structures and modernizing the administrative core of the Indian government.
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Key SOP Guidelines for the Shift:
According to Office Memorandum F. No. 32011/07/2024-Ad.IV, the DEA has laid out a systematic approach for a smooth and secure transition. The following are the key directives:
1. Shifting Timeline and Agency Involvement
The shifting will begin on or around September 22, 2025.
A transportation agency has been hired to handle un-installation, packing, transport, unpacking, and re-installation of all office items.
2. Room-Based Officer Shifting
Officers in separate rooms/cabins must have their personal staff present during the shifting.
The staff will be responsible for signing off on item lists before and after transport to ensure accountability.
3. Division-wise Relocation
Each division must report current seating details at North Block to the administration team for synchronized relocation.
This information should be emailed to [email protected]
at the earliest.
4. Appointment of Nodal Officers
Each division must nominate a nodal officer (US/SO level) to supervise the entire process.
The nodal officer will:
- Oversee packing and unpacking,
- Ensure receipt and condition of items,
- Submit a completion certificate once relocation is finalized.
5. Handling of Confidential Files
Confidential and Secret files must be packed separately.
They must be handled under strict supervision of the nodal officer to ensure security.
6. Categorization of Items
ICT equipment, electronics, official files/records, and crockery will be packed and shifted separately.
7. Post-Installation Checks
Nodal officers are responsible for confirming that ICT systems (computers, internet, printers, etc.) are functioning properly at the new location.
Background: Central Vista Transformation
This relocation is part of a larger government initiative to decongest and modernize administrative infrastructure. North Block and South Block are set to be converted into museums, while Kartavya Path’s executive enclave will now house the Prime Minister’s Office, the Cabinet Secretariat, and other key departments like DEA and the Finance Ministry.
