3 Reasons Centre Asked Delhi Gymkhana Club To Vacate Premises By June 5
3 Reasons Centre Asked Delhi Gymkhana Club To Vacate Premises By June 5 Published By, Last Updated: May 24, 2026, 18:00 IST 113 years of
3 Reasons Centre Asked Delhi Gymkhana Club To Vacate Premises By June 5 Published By, Last Updated: May 24, 2026, 18:00 IST 113 years of power, privilege: The govt stated Delhi Gymkhana club, spread across 27.3 acres, is now needed for strengthening defence and governance infrastructure Rapid Read The Delhi Gymkhana Club is located on Safdarjung Road. (Website) The Central government has ordered the Delhi Gymkhana Club to vacate the Safdarjung Road premises by June 5, stating that the land is required for urgent public and strategic purposes. Why has the government issued the order to the 113-year-old club? News18 explains. What the govt said The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issued the order on May 22 through the Land & Development Office (L&DO). The government stated that the property, spread across 27.3 acres, lies in a highly sensitive and strategic area of the national capital and is now needed for strengthening defence infrastructure, public security arrangements, governance infrastructure, and other public-interest projects. According to the communication, the premises had originally been leased to the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd., now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd., for the purpose of maintaining a social and sporting club.
3 reasons why the order was issued 1. Security reasons: It stands adjacent to the prime minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg on one of the city’s most valuable and strategically important land parcels, within the high-security administrative zone that also houses several key central government and defence establishments. 2. Public interest: In its letter to the club’s secretary, the L&DO said the leased land is essential to fulfil urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects, integrated with the resumption of adjoining government lands. "In exercise of the powers conferred under Clause 4 of the Lease Deed, the President of India, through the Land & Development Office, hereby determines the lease and orders re-entry of the aforesaid premises with immediate effect," it stated. 3. It owns the land: The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry owns most of the land allotted on lease to various institutions in Lutyens’ Delhi. The Gymkhana Club has urgently sought a meeting with officials of the Central government 113 years of power, privilege: Why Delhi Gymkhana Club matters The Delhi Gymkhana Club, one of the oldest clubs in India, is an ultra-exclusive social epicentre where the administrative, military, and political power has blended for over a century.
Sitting on a massive parcel of prime real estate at 2, Safdarjung Road, it occupies one of the most high-security zones in Lutyens’ Delhi. The Delhi Gymkhana Club moved to its present location on July 3, 1913. It was then called the “Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club" and Spencer Harcourt Butler was its first President. When India gained Independence in 1947, the word “Imperial" was dropped. The membership is the pinnacle of high society, famously dictated by a rigid 40-40-20 quota split among civil servants, defense forces, and a select few well-connected civilians. The selection process prioritizes a strict standard of old-world “clubability" over mere wealth, resulting in a notorious membership waitlist stretching up to 37 years. Located next to the Prime Minister’s residence, it has served as an informal, off-the-record boardroom where generals, judges, bureaucrats, and cabinet ministers cross paths over bridge, dinner, and drinks. Beyond its reputation as a social networking hub, the club is a massive pillar of Indian sports history, having hosted the Davis Cup and multi-generation national tennis championships. Its sprawling lawns, grand structures, and strict dress codes preserve the elite social etiquette and architecture of the 1930s.
The eviction notice aligns with the government’s decolonisation push drives to replace British Raj-era infrastructure, symbols, laws, and nomenclature with indigenous frameworks. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 24, 2026, 15:34 IST News india 3 Reasons Centre Asked Delhi Gymkhana Club To Vacate Premises By June 5 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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