• The Presidential Retreat in Dehradun — Rashtrapati Niketan — will open for public viewing from June 24.

• Opening of the 186-year-old 21-acre estate is part of the initiative to increase citizen engagement with the President and heritage of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• The Rashtrapati Niketan, earlier known as Rashtrapati Ashiana, was used by the President’s Bodyguards (PBG) for the training of PBG horses. 

• This heritage building now showcases a curated selection of artwork and offers a glimpse into its rich legacy. 

• Visitors will have the opportunity to view the stables and horses of the President's Bodyguards. The Lily Pond, Rockery Pond, Rose Garden and Pergola will also be points of attraction for the visitors.

• In addition to the Rashtrapati Niketan, people can also visit the Rashtrapati Tapovan, a 19-acre dense forest trail on the Rajpur Road. 

• The Tapovan offers a serene escape into nature with a rich canopy of native trees, winding trails, wooden bridges, elevated machans for birdwatching and quiet spots for reflection and meditation. 

• President Droupadi Murmu will visit the Rashtrapati Niketan in Dehradun on June 20 to overview the preparation of opening of the estate for public. 

• She will also lay the foundation stone for Rashtrapati Udyan, a 132-acre ecological park, on the occasion.

• Since 2023, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad, and Rashtrapati Niwas in Mashobra, were opened up for public visits six days a week. 

• From February 2025, the change of guard ceremony was started at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a new format with increased seating capacity.

• The ceremony is a long-standing military tradition conducted weekly to allow a fresh group of the President's Bodyguards (PBGs) to take charge.

• The Rashtrapati Udyan, which is scheduled to open to the public next year, is planned to be developed as a dynamic environmental and recreational space — featuring thematic gardens, a butterfly garden, a scenic lake, an aviary and a dedicated children’s play area.

• The park’s plan also includes a sports zone, walking tracks, jogging and cycling tracks, water conservation systems and outdoor learning installations — creating a living classroom that encourages environmental awareness, active lifestyles and family-friendly engagement in harmony with nature.

Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad

• Located at Bolarum in Hyderabad, Rashtrapati Nilayam building was taken over from the Nizam of Hyderabad after India attained independence and handed over to the President’s Secretariat.

• Constructed in 1860, the building has a total land area of 90 acres. A single-storied building, it contains 11 rooms in its premises. It also has a dining hall, cinema hall, darbar hall, morning room, dining room, etc.

• The President visits the Rashtrapati Nilayam and stays there at least once a year and conducts official business from the premises.

The Retreat Building in Shimla

• Located at the hill top of the Mashobra, the building was taken over during 1895 by the Viceroy. The President visits The Retreat at least once a year and the core office shifts to that place during stay in the Retreat. 

• Around 1,000 feet higher than the Shimla Ridge Top, the Retreat is located in a picturesque surrounding. The architectural pattern and the natural beauty of the place have made the Retreat a tourist attraction in Shimla.

• The redeeming feature of this building is that it is purely a wooden structure with dhajji wall construction. 

• Originally constructed in 1850, this building has a plinth area of 10,628 sq ft.

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