India’s Presidential Estate has significantly broadened public access beyond its Delhi headquarters by opening its properties in Hyderabad, Shimla, and Dehradun. This initiative has led to an impressive increase in visitors, with physical footfall soaring from approximately seven lakh before the COVID-19 pandemic to over 20.5 lakh in 2024.
When considering both physical and digital engagement, the total citizen interaction surpassed 49 lakh visitors in 2024—a remarkable 600% rise. This success underscores President Droupadi Murmu’s vision of transforming Rashtrapati Bhavan into a truly accessible ‘Rashtra ka bhavan,’ or ‘the nation’s building,’ according to an official from the President’s Office.
The primary Rashtrapati Bhavan building in Delhi has also experienced a substantial boost in visitor numbers since becoming more accessible to the public. Data indicates an increase from 31,230 visitors in 2022 to 1,44,406 in 2023, and further to 2,01,000 in 2024.
An official confirmed that this positive trend has continued into 2025, with more than 2,00,000 citizens visiting within the first ten months alone.
To further enhance public access, an expanded viewing schedule for the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s main building was announced on May 16, 2023. This change allowed public viewing six days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday, starting June 1, 2023, effectively tripling its capacity.
Following President Murmu’s swearing-in as the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022, several other Presidential estates were opened to the public for the very first time. Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad and Rashtrapati Nivas in Shimla welcomed visitors in March 2023, followed by Rashtrapati Niketan in Dehradun in June 2025.
“Each estate has been enriched with numerous new attractions and thematic experiences, significantly boosting their capacity and offering diverse opportunities for citizen engagement,” explained an official. These enhancements, which include improved accessibility, reimagined ceremonies like the Change of Guard, and new immersive features, enable visitors to connect more deeply with the cultural, historical, and institutional significance of India’s highest office.
The entire President’s Estate is committed to providing disability-friendly access and seamless digital services. This includes QR-based paperless ticketing and websites available in 22 Indian languages.
In Delhi, visitors can embark on audio-guided tours of the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s main building, exploring historically significant areas such as the Ganatantra Mandap (the grand hall beneath the central dome, where civil and defence investiture ceremonies and Chief Justice swearing-ins take place), the Ashok Mandap, and the forecourt—the majestic ceremonial path used for receiving visiting Heads of State and government, and for the Change of Guard ceremony.
The official noted that the forecourt has also served as the venue for multiple swearing-in ceremonies for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers, chosen to accommodate large public gatherings.
Additionally, the President’s Estate in the national capital features the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum and the Amrit Udyan, formerly known as the Mughal Gardens.
“Visitors can also witness the captivating Change of Guard ceremony, which has been considerably revamped and relocated,” the official revealed. Initially introduced as a ceremonial event in 2007 and made public at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2012, a new, more elaborate format was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu in February 2025. This enhanced ceremony now includes extensive military drills and an equestrian display, performed weekly every Saturday.