With the inauguration of Kartavya Bhavan-3 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (August 6, 2025), ministries will soon begin relocating to the new Central Secretariat Complex (CCS-3). So far, only the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has shifted from North Block to the new building. Petroleum and Natural Gas and Rural Development ministries are expected to move in next, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday while briefing the media at the facility.
However, the move has sparked concern among officials. The Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum, which represents nearly 13,000 government employees, has written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), raising alarm over the open office design of the new complex.
The CSS Forum claims that the current seating arrangements compromise privacy, efficiency, and confidentiality. “Kartavya Bhavan-3’s seating arrangement lacks proper functional divisions and spatial integrity. There is no clear separation between divisions, and critical workspaces are exposed,” the letter stated.
According to the forum, Assistant Section Officers (ASOs)—key to file processing and examination—lack dedicated storage for files and stationery. Under Secretaries and Section Officers have been allocated low-height cubicles using almirahs, which they say allows conversations and sensitive discussions to be easily overheard.
The letter warned that open workspaces could risk early disclosure of sensitive matters, including court cases, classified data, and vigilance issues, undermining administrative confidentiality. The forum has requested that the seating plan be revised and private rooms be provided for officers handling sensitive work.
The CSS Forum has urged the government to review seating arrangements in all new buildings under the Central Vista project and take corrective measures to ensure privacy and functional efficiency for officers.
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