India and France Collaborate to Develop Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News | India partnered with France Museums Developpement (FMD) to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum, part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. The first phase will retrofit the North Block by June 2026. |
| Museum Area | Approximately 1,55,000 square meters across the North and South Blocks, New Delhi. |
| Largest Museum | Expected to surpass the Louvre in Paris as the world's largest museum. |
| Development Approach | Adaptive reuse of North and South Blocks with guidance from France's expertise in museum management. |
| Phased Timeline | North Block retrofitting: Completion by June 2026; Ministries to vacate by March 2025. |
| Partners | India's Ministry of Culture and France Museums Developpement (FMD). |
| France's Expertise | Inspired by France's "Grands Projets," including the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Hotel de la Marine. |
| Central Vista Connection | Part of the larger Central Vista Redevelopment Project in New Delhi. |
| Letter of Intent | Signed in 2020 for museum and heritage cooperation; reaffirmed during PM Modi's visit to Paris in 2023. |