President Droupadi Murmu completed four years in office on July 25, 2026. To commemorate the milestone, she inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several initiatives at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the President’s Estate on July 28, 2026. The initiatives span digital accessibility, child welfare, green mobility, sustainable energy, and public outreach, reflecting her vision of making Rashtrapati Bhavan a true “People’s House.”
President Droupadi Murmu: A Historic Presidency
Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022, becoming the first person from a tribal community and the second woman after Pratibha Patil to hold the office. At 64, she was also the youngest person to assume the presidency. Born on June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda village in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, she belongs to the Santhal tribal community. Before becoming President, she served as the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021, was a minister in the Odisha government, and served as an MLA from the Rairangpur constituency.
Under Article 52 of the Constitution, the President of India is the head of state and the first citizen of the country. The President also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. The term of office is five years, as per Article 56 of the Constitution.
Digital Accessibility: A Multilingual e-Audio Guide for Visitors
The President launched an application-based e-Audio Guide for visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan. The guide is designed to enrich the experience of the lakhs of people who visit the Presidential Estate every year. It is available in Hindi, English, and 14 other Indian languages, making it accessible to visitors from across the country. A dedicated sign language module has also been included to ensure that visitors with hearing impairments can benefit from the service.
Rashtrapati Bhavan, located in New Delhi, is one of the most visited heritage sites in India. The public can tour the main building, the museum, the famous Amrit Udyan (formerly the Mughal Gardens), and other attractions through a structured online booking system. The e-Audio Guide is the latest step in making these visits more informative and inclusive.
e-Upahaar: Third Edition of the Presidential Gift Auction
The President launched the third edition of e-Upahaar, featuring 300 curated Presidential gifts for public auction. The auction will remain open from August 5 to September 5, 2026, and can be accessed through the dedicated portal at upahaar.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in.
e-Upahaar is an online auction platform of the President’s Secretariat that puts on sale gifts received by the President from dignitaries and during official visits. The initiative was launched in 2024 as part of President Murmu’s vision to make Rashtrapati Bhavan “Rashtra Ka Bhavan” a People’s House that belongs to every citizen. The proceeds from all editions are directed towards social welfare causes.
The first edition in 2024 and the second edition in 2025 received overwhelming participation from collectors, art enthusiasts, and citizens across the country. The sale transforms diplomatic gifts into resources for public good, turning symbols of honour into instruments of positive change.
Bachpan Bal Parisar: Facilities for Children in the President’s Estate
The President inaugurated Bachpan Bal Parisar, a dedicated children’s facility in the President’s Estate. The initiative includes two components. Kilkari is a play zone designed for recreation and physical activity. Samarth Anganwadi-cum-Palna is a childcare facility that provides a safe and nurturing environment for early childhood growth and development.
The Anganwadi system is a cornerstone of India’s early childhood care under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, launched in 1975 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The “Palna” component refers to creche facilities that support working mothers by providing daycare for infants and young children. The Samarth initiative, which integrates Anganwadi and Palna services, is part of a broader government push to strengthen childcare infrastructure across the country.
RAAHI: A Fare-Free Electric Bus for Green Mobility
The President launched RAAHI (Rashtrapati Bhavan Access And Heritage Interconnector), a fare-free electric bus service for the staff and residents of the President’s Estate. The 27-seater bus is wheelchair accessible and is operated entirely by women drivers and conductors. The service connects the estate to the nearest Metro station, providing safe and convenient mobility for women, children, senior citizens, and Divyang (persons with disabilities).
RAAHI is part of a larger push towards green and inclusive mobility within government establishments. Electric vehicles are a key component of India’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions, aligned with the government’s FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme, which was launched in 2015 to promote electric mobility in the country.
Net Zero Energy Strategy and Infrastructure Development
The President laid the foundation stone for a service block under the Net Zero Energy Strategy at Rashtrapati Bhavan. A net zero energy building is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes over a year, typically through on-site renewable energy sources such as solar panels and energy-efficient systems.
This initiative aligns with India’s broader climate commitments, including the target to achieve net zero emissions by 2070 as announced at the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021. It also supports the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in 2008, which outlines India’s strategy for sustainable development and climate resilience through eight national missions, including the National Solar Mission and the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency.
The President also inaugurated new accommodation facilities at Rashtrapati Niketan in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, and Rashtrapati Nilayam in Secunderabad, Telangana. These are two of the three official presidential retreats in India, the third being The Retreat Building in Shimla. In addition, she laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of staff quarters in the President’s Estate, signaling a focus on improving living conditions for the estate’s workforce.
| Property | Location | Established | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rashtrapati Bhavan | New Delhi | 1929 | Official residence of the President |
| Rashtrapati Niketan | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | 1976 | Presidential retreat in the Himalayan foothills |
| Rashtrapati Nilayam | Secunderabad, Telangana | 1860 | Presidential retreat in South India |
Rashtrapati Niketan, set in a 21-acre historic estate, was established as a presidential retreat in 1976. It was opened to the public in 2025 as part of President Murmu’s efforts to increase public access to presidential properties. Rashtrapati Nilayam, spread over 90 acres in Bolarum, Secunderabad, is used as the President’s southern retreat during the winter months.
Publications on the Presidency
In a separate function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, released five publications documenting President Murmu’s four-year tenure and presented the first copies to her. The publications are:
| Book Title | Covers |
|---|---|
| Rashtrapati Bhavan: Rashtra Ka Bhavan | First year of presidency |
| Seva Aur Samvedana | Second year of presidency |
| Samaveshi Sahbhaghita | Third year of presidency |
| Bharatiyata Ka Utsav | Fourth year of presidency |
| Ama Rashtrapati Ama Gourav (Odia) | Collection of articles by eminent writers |
The titles reflect the themes that have defined President Murmu’s tenure: constitutionality, service, compassion, inclusivity, cultural confidence, and national unity.
Key Takeaways
- President Droupadi Murmu completed four years in office on July 25, 2026. She is the 15th President of India, the first tribal person, and the second woman to hold the office.
- She launched an e-Audio Guide for Rashtrapati Bhavan visitors, available in Hindi, English, and 14 other Indian languages, with a sign language module.
- The third edition of e-Upahaar features 300 curated Presidential gifts for public auction from August 5 to September 5, 2026.
- RAAHI (Rashtrapati Bhavan Access And Heritage Interconnector) is a fare-free electric bus service operated by women drivers and conductors, connecting the President’s Estate to the nearest Metro station.
- A foundation stone was laid for a service block under the Net Zero Energy Strategy at Rashtrapati Bhavan, supporting India’s 2070 net zero emissions target.
- Accommodation facilities were inaugurated at Rashtrapati Niketan (Dehradun) and Rashtrapati Nilayam (Secunderabad), two of the three official presidential retreats in India.
