Yashobhoomi, officially known as the India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), is a massive convention, exhibition and business-events complex located in Sector 25, Dwarka, New Delhi. It has been developed as one of India's flagship infrastructure projects for hosting international conventions, exhibitions, conferences, trade fairs, corporate events and other large gatherings.

The complex is particularly important for India's rapidly developing MICE industry — Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.

Phase 1 of Yashobhoomi was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 September 2023. The Government of India described it at inauguration as one of the world's largest MICE destinations.

 

 

1. What Is Yashobhoomi?

Yashobhoomi is the name given to the India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC) at Dwarka.

It is much more than a conventional auditorium.

The overall development has been conceived as an integrated business and exhibition district containing facilities for:

• International conventions
• Conferences
• Exhibitions
• Trade fairs
• Business summits
• Corporate meetings
• Product launches
• Government programmes
• Industry conferences
• Cultural events
• Fashion shows
• Large national events
• Entertainment
• Hospitality
• Retail
• Offices
• Hotels
• Restaurants and supporting facilities

The official IICC project describes the development as a state-of-the-art exhibition and convention facility designed to compete with major international convention destinations.

2. Where Is Yashobhoomi Located?

Location:
Sector 25, Dwarka, New Delhi, Delhi, India

The convention centre is strategically located close to Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport) and is connected with the Delhi Metro Airport Express Line.

Its location near the airport is one of its biggest advantages because international delegates and business travellers can reach the venue without having to travel through central Delhi.

The official project information places the complex approximately 11 km from IGI Airport.

3. Who Founded or Created Yashobhoomi?

It is important to distinguish between who conceived/owns the project, who approved it and who inaugurated it.

Yashobhoomi is fundamentally a Government of India infrastructure project.

The Union Cabinet approved development of the Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre and associated infrastructure on 10 November 2017.

For implementation, a Special Purpose Company called:

India International Convention & Exhibition Centre Limited (IICC Ltd.)

was incorporated on 19 December 2017.

IICC Ltd. is wholly owned by the Government of India through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Therefore, describing Yashobhoomi as being "founded by one individual" would not be technically accurate. It is a Government of India project implemented through IICC Ltd.

4. When Was Yashobhoomi Created?

Some important dates in the development are:

10 November 2017
The Union Cabinet approved development of the Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre and associated infrastructure.

19 December 2017
India International Convention & Exhibition Centre Limited was incorporated.

20 September 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the project.

17 September 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Phase 1 of Yashobhoomi to the nation.

Therefore, although the project originated several years earlier, 17 September 2023 can be considered the major public operational milestone for Phase 1.

5. How Much Did Yashobhoomi Cost?

Two figures are sometimes encountered when reading about Yashobhoomi, and they should not be confused.

At the Phase 1 inauguration, the Government stated that Yashobhoomi had been developed at a cost of approximately:

₹5,400 crore

for the facilities being operationalised at that stage.

However, the broader IICC integrated development was approved with an estimated project cost of approximately:

₹25,703 crore

covering the larger phased convention, exhibition and mixed-use development.

Therefore, ₹5,400 crore and ₹25,703 crore refer to different scopes/stages of the overall project rather than necessarily being contradictory figures.

6. How Large Is Yashobhoomi?

The scale of Yashobhoomi is one of its most impressive characteristics.

According to Government information released for Phase 1:

Total project area: more than 8.9 lakh square metres

Total built-up area: more than 1.8 lakh square metres.

The broader IICC development describes approximately:

• 303,000 sq. metres of exhibition space
• 60,000 sq. metres of convention area
• 50,000 sq. metres of multipurpose arena space

along with hotels, retail, offices, commercial areas and entertainment infrastructure planned across the development.

Another useful way to understand the scale is the land development figure published by IICC:

Approximately 221 acres

with more than 11 million sq. ft. of planned built-up development across the integrated project.

7. The Convention Centre

The Convention Centre is the heart of Yashobhoomi.

The facility can accommodate more than 11,000 delegates across its different meeting and convention spaces.

It contains:

• Main auditorium/plenary hall
• Grand Ballroom
• Multiple meeting rooms
• Conference facilities
• VIP/VVIP facilities
• Media facilities
• Registration and ticketing facilities
• Large foyer and circulation areas

The Convention Centre contains 15 convention rooms, including the main auditorium, Grand Ballroom and 13 meeting rooms.

8. The Plenary Hall

One of Yashobhoomi's technological highlights is its main plenary hall.

It has seating for approximately:

6,000 people

The hall incorporates an innovative automated seating arrangement.

Depending upon the event, the seating configuration can be changed so that the space functions either as an auditorium with tiered seating or as a flatter multipurpose event floor.

This makes the hall suitable for events such as:

• International conferences
• Government conventions
• Corporate annual meetings
• Award ceremonies
• Large presentations
• Cultural programmes
• Business summits

9. Grand Ballroom

Yashobhoomi also includes a major Grand Ballroom.

The ballroom has capacity for approximately:

2,500 guests

An extended open area can accommodate approximately another 500 people.

The ballroom features a distinctive petal-inspired ceiling and can be used for:

• Business functions
• Corporate events
• Award ceremonies
• Gala dinners
• Receptions
• Large meetings
• Ceremonial events

10. Meeting Rooms

Yashobhoomi provides 13 meeting rooms distributed across multiple levels of the Convention Centre.

The rooms are designed for meetings of different sizes.

The official project information describes conference-room capacities ranging from approximately 68 to 860 participants, with a combined capacity of roughly 2,600 people.

This allows multiple conferences or breakout sessions to operate simultaneously.

11. Exhibition Halls

Yashobhoomi has been designed to accommodate extremely large exhibitions.

The overall master plan provides for five exhibition halls, with Phase 1 initially incorporating two major exhibition halls and further halls planned as part of subsequent development.

Large column-free spaces make the halls suitable for exhibitions involving:

• Industrial machinery
• Automobiles
• Electronics
• Technology
• Defence equipment
• Aerospace products
• Manufacturing equipment
• Consumer products
• Furniture
• Building materials
• Medical equipment
• Food products
• Fashion
• Handicrafts

The project's ability to accommodate large defence and aerospace exhibits was specifically highlighted in official planning information.

12. What Types of Events Can Be Organized at Yashobhoomi?

Yashobhoomi has primarily been designed for large professional and public events.

Typical event categories include:

International Conferences

International organizations, professional associations and multinational companies can conduct conferences involving thousands of delegates.

Trade Exhibitions

Large industry exhibitions can bring manufacturers, distributors, buyers and suppliers together.

Business-to-Business Events

B2B exhibitions and networking programmes are among the most important uses of a MICE facility.

Corporate Conferences

Large organizations can organize:

• Dealer meetings
• Partner conferences
• Employee conventions
• Annual meetings
• Product announcements
• Leadership conferences

Government Events

National and international government programmes, ministerial meetings and policy conferences can be conducted here.

Technology Exhibitions

The venue can accommodate exhibitions covering:

• Information technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Electronics
• Telecommunications
• Cybersecurity
• Cloud computing
• Software
• Industrial automation

Automobile Shows

Large exhibition halls can support vehicles, equipment and associated product displays.

Defence and Aerospace Exhibitions

The column-free exhibition spaces have specifically been designed with the ability to host large-scale defence and aerospace exhibits.

Fashion Shows

The future multipurpose arena and flexible spaces can support fashion and lifestyle events.

Cultural Programmes

Auditoriums and event areas can host performances and cultural functions.

Medical and Scientific Conferences

Professional associations can organize large medical, pharmaceutical and scientific conferences.

Consumer Exhibitions

Lifestyle, electronics, travel, education and consumer-product exhibitions can also be conducted.

The official development target envisages approximately 100 national and international events per year.

13. Future Multipurpose Arena

An important component of the broader IICC master plan is a large multipurpose arena.

The planned capacity is approximately:

20,000 participants

The arena has been envisioned for activities including:

• Sporting events
• Trade shows
• Fashion shows
• Entertainment programmes
• National events
• Large public gatherings

It is part of the wider phased development and should therefore not be confused with facilities already operational in Phase 1.

14. Parking Facilities at Yashobhoomi

Parking is a major consideration for an exhibition complex where tens of thousands of people may arrive during a large event.

For the operational convention complex, Government information at inauguration highlighted an underground parking facility for more than 3,000 cars, including more than 100 electric-vehicle charging points.

At the scale of the full integrated development, DPIIT describes planned/sophisticated parking capacity for:

34,808 vehicles

comprising approximately:

• 28,608 indoor parking spaces
• 6,200 outdoor parking spaces

Because Yashobhoomi is being developed in phases, visitors should check event-specific parking instructions rather than assuming the entire master-plan parking capacity is available for every event.

15. Electric Vehicle Charging

Yashobhoomi incorporates infrastructure for electric vehicles.

The underground parking associated with the operational facility includes more than 100 EV charging points.

This forms part of the project's broader emphasis on sustainable infrastructure.

16. How to Reach Yashobhoomi by Delhi Metro

For many visitors, the Delhi Metro is the easiest way to reach the venue.

The nearest station is:

Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 Metro Station

It is located on the Airport Express Line.

When Phase 1 of Yashobhoomi was inaugurated on 17 September 2023, the extension of the Airport Express Line from Dwarka Sector 21 to the new Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 station was also inaugurated.

The station was specifically designed to provide convenient access to the exhibition and convention complex.

For major exhibitions, using Metro can be significantly easier than travelling by private car and dealing with event traffic.

17. Metro Integration with the Convention Centre

The Metro connection is particularly impressive because it was designed as part of the overall convention-centre transportation strategy.

The station incorporates pedestrian/subway connections intended to link the Metro with important areas of the complex.

This significantly improves accessibility during exhibitions involving thousands of daily visitors.

18. How to Reach Yashobhoomi from IGI Airport

Yashobhoomi is conveniently positioned for air travellers.

Visitors arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport can use:

Airport Express Metro

This is generally one of the most convenient public-transport options.

Take the Airport Express Line toward Yashobhoomi and exit at:

Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25

Taxi / App-Based Cab

Visitors can also use:

• Taxi
• Uber
• Ola
• Hotel cab
• Private vehicle

The project is approximately 11 km from IGI Airport, although actual driving distance and journey time depend upon the airport terminal, route and traffic conditions.

19. How to Reach Yashobhoomi by Road

Yashobhoomi has been planned around major road infrastructure.

Important connectivity includes:

• Dwarka Expressway
• Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II)
• Dwarka road network
• Airport road connections

The venue has direct connectivity to the Dwarka Expressway and UER-II network.

For visitors travelling from Gurgaon/Gurugram, West Delhi and several NCR locations, these road corridors can be particularly useful.

20. Facilities Available at Yashobhoomi

Yashobhoomi is designed as a complete convention ecosystem rather than simply a collection of halls.

Major facilities include:

Convention Facilities

• Main auditorium
• Plenary hall
• Grand Ballroom
• Conference rooms
• Meeting rooms
• Breakout spaces

Exhibition Infrastructure

• Large exhibition halls
• High ceilings
• Large column-free spaces
• Flexible hall division
• Heavy exhibition capabilities
• Large visitor circulation areas

Visitor Facilities

• Registration areas
• Ticketing facilities
• Visitor information facilities
• Cloakroom facilities
• Waiting and circulation areas
• Washrooms
• Food and refreshment support depending on the event

Media Facilities

Dedicated media facilities enable large events to accommodate journalists, broadcasters and event-production teams.

VIP/VVIP Facilities

Dedicated lounges and controlled-access facilities support diplomatic, government and high-level corporate events.

Digital Infrastructure

The complex incorporates modern digital systems and centralized monitoring.

Security

High-tech security systems have been incorporated into the development for managing large visitor volumes.

21. India's Large LED Media Façade

One of the visually striking technological features of the Convention Centre is its large LED media façade.

At inauguration, the Government described it as the largest LED media façade in India.

Such digital façades can be used for:

• Event branding
• Welcome messages
• Sponsor displays
• Digital artwork
• Event information
• Large-scale visual presentations

22. Sustainability and Green-Building Features

Yashobhoomi has placed significant emphasis on environmental sustainability.

The campus has received Platinum certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

Environmental measures include:

Wastewater Treatment

A modern wastewater-treatment system provides for extensive reuse of treated wastewater.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater-harvesting infrastructure has been incorporated throughout the development.

Solar Energy

Rooftop solar photovoltaic installations form part of the renewable-energy strategy.

Energy-Efficient Design

The official project information targets energy savings through green-building architecture and engineering.

Sustainable Architecture

Building materials, lighting, ventilation, landscaping and utility infrastructure have been planned around modern sustainability principles.

23. Indian Architectural Identity

Although Yashobhoomi is a technologically modern complex, significant effort has been made to incorporate Indian cultural design elements.

Visitors can see design influences inspired by traditional Indian decorative patterns and craftsmanship.

Examples include:

• Rangoli-inspired floor patterns
• Brass inlays
• Decorative ceilings
• Patterned walls
• Contemporary interpretations of traditional Indian design

The objective is to provide international visitors with a modern convention facility that still communicates a distinctly Indian identity.

24. Hotels and Hospitality Development

The larger Yashobhoomi development is intended to function like a business district rather than an isolated exhibition venue.

The master development envisages approximately:

3,500 hotel rooms

along with supporting hospitality infrastructure.

This is important because large international exhibitions may attract thousands of delegates who need accommodation near the venue.

Hotels and additional mixed-use components are part of the phased development, so all planned rooms should not be interpreted as already operational inside the complex.

25. Retail and Shopping Facilities

The integrated development includes plans for:

• Retail areas
• Shopping facilities
• Restaurants
• Entertainment
• Commercial services

These facilities are intended to create a complete environment where business travellers can attend conferences, conduct meetings, dine, shop and stay nearby.

26. Office and Commercial Space

Yashobhoomi's master plan includes office and commercial development.

This could support:

• Corporate offices
• Exhibition organizers
• Business service providers
• Conference-management companies
• International organizations
• Event-support companies
• Hospitality companies

The concept is similar to an integrated Central Business District (CBD) centered around international exhibitions and conferences.

27. Centralized Air Conditioning

The exhibition and convention facilities use centralized air-conditioning systems designed to maintain comfortable indoor conditions even when thousands of visitors are present.

This is particularly important for Delhi's summer climate and for exhibitions involving heat-generating lighting, electronic equipment and large crowds.

28. Central Command and Control

The development incorporates centralized command-and-control infrastructure.

Such systems can assist operators in coordinating:

• Building systems
• Security
• Access control
• Utilities
• Visitor movement
• Emergency response
• Facility management
• Event operations

The official project information also references smart-app and centralized control capabilities.

29. Accessibility

Modern convention centres must accommodate visitors with different mobility requirements.

Yashobhoomi's integrated design includes elevators, escalators and accessible circulation infrastructure intended to make movement across the large complex easier.

Visitors requiring special assistance should nevertheless check accessibility arrangements with the organizer of the particular event they plan to attend.

30. Why Was Yashobhoomi Built?

One of the primary objectives was to strengthen India's position in the global MICE industry.

MICE stands for:

M – Meetings
I – Incentives
C – Conferences
E – Exhibitions

International conventions generate significant economic activity through:

• Hotels
• Airlines
• Restaurants
• Tourism
• Transportation
• Exhibition services
• Advertising
• Event management
• Technology services
• Logistics
• Retail

The Government expects Yashobhoomi to help New Delhi compete more effectively with major global convention destinations.

31. Employment Potential

Large convention and exhibition ecosystems generate both direct and indirect employment.

The official IICC project information estimates that development of the complex could generate:

More than 5 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities

across its wider ecosystem.

Potential employment sectors include hospitality, tourism, security, logistics, catering, transportation, IT, exhibition management, housekeeping, retail and facility management.

32. Yashobhoomi Phase 1 vs Complete IICC Project

This distinction is extremely important.

The complete Yashobhoomi/IICC master plan is larger than the Phase 1 facilities inaugurated in September 2023.

Phase 1 includes core convention and exhibition infrastructure.

Later phases envisage additional:

• Exhibition halls
• Multipurpose arena
• Hotels
• Retail
• Commercial offices
• Entertainment and hospitality development

Therefore, specifications describing the final project should not always be interpreted as facilities currently operational.

33. Key Specifications at a Glance

Feature	Specification
Official Name	India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC)
Popular Name	Yashobhoomi
Location	Sector 25, Dwarka, New Delhi
Project Approval	10 November 2017
IICC Ltd. Incorporated	19 December 2017
Foundation Stone	20 September 2018
Phase 1 Dedicated to Nation	17 September 2023
Phase 1 Development Cost Announced	Approx. ₹5,400 crore
Wider Approved Project Estimate	Approx. ₹25,703 crore
Total Project Area	Over 8.9 lakh sq. metres
Phase 1 Built-up Area	More than 1.8 lakh sq. metres
Integrated Development	Approx. 221 acres
Convention Capacity	More than 11,000 delegates
Main Plenary Hall	Approx. 6,000 seats
Grand Ballroom	Approx. 2,500 guests
Meeting Rooms	13
Convention Rooms	15
Planned Exhibition Halls	5
Future Multipurpose Arena	Approx. 20,000 capacity
Nearest Metro	Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25
Metro Line	Airport Express Line
Airport Distance	Approx. 11 km
EV Charging	100+ charging points in operational underground parking
Planned Integrated Parking	Up to 34,808 vehicles
Sustainability	IGBC Platinum certified campus

34. Advantages of Yashobhoomi

Yashobhoomi offers several strategic advantages:

• Very large convention capacity
• Massive exhibition infrastructure
• Proximity to IGI Airport
• Direct Airport Express Metro connectivity
• Dwarka Expressway connectivity
• UER-II connectivity
• Large-scale parking strategy
• Modern digital infrastructure
• High-level security
• Sustainable building design
• Flexible event spaces
• Large meeting-room inventory
• Hotel and commercial development
• International-standard facilities

35. Importance for Delhi and India

Yashobhoomi represents a major shift in India's convention and exhibition infrastructure.

Delhi already has major exhibition and conference locations, but Yashobhoomi adds a purpose-built international-scale MICE district close to the country's busiest international gateway.

Its combination of:

Airport + Metro + Expressway + Exhibition Centre + Convention Centre + Hotels + Offices + Retail

creates the potential for a complete international business-events ecosystem.

Rather than visitors simply travelling to an exhibition hall for a few hours, the objective is to create an environment capable of supporting multi-day international conventions and exhibitions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Yashobhoomi?

Yashobhoomi is the India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC), a major convention and exhibition complex in Dwarka, New Delhi.

2. Where is Yashobhoomi located?

It is located in Sector 25, Dwarka, New Delhi.

3. When was Yashobhoomi inaugurated?

Phase 1 was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 September 2023.

4. Who owns Yashobhoomi?

The project is being developed by India International Convention & Exhibition Centre Limited (IICC Ltd.), a Government of India-owned Special Purpose Company under DPIIT.

5. Who laid the foundation stone?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone on 20 September 2018.

6. How much did Yashobhoomi cost?

Approximately ₹5,400 crore was cited for the facilities associated with the Phase 1 inauguration, while the broader integrated project's approved estimated cost is approximately ₹25,703 crore.

7. How large is Yashobhoomi?

The total project area is more than 8.9 lakh square metres.

8. How many people can the Convention Centre accommodate?

Its various convention facilities can accommodate more than 11,000 delegates.

9. What is the capacity of the main auditorium?

The main plenary hall accommodates approximately 6,000 people.

10. What is the Grand Ballroom capacity?

Approximately 2,500 guests, with additional capacity available in its extended area.

11. Are exhibitions organized at Yashobhoomi?

Yes. Trade fairs, industry exhibitions, technology events, business shows and other exhibitions can be organized there.

12. Can international conferences be held there?

Yes. Hosting international conferences is one of the venue's primary purposes.

13. Which Metro station is nearest?

Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 Metro Station.

14. Which Metro line serves Yashobhoomi?

The Delhi Metro Airport Express Line.

15. Is Yashobhoomi near Delhi Airport?

Yes. The project is approximately 11 km from IGI Airport.

16. Is parking available?

Yes. Large underground and outdoor parking infrastructure forms part of the development. Availability and designated parking areas can vary according to the event and development phase.

17. Are EV charging points available?

Yes. More than 100 EV charging points were included in the underground parking facility highlighted at Phase 1 inauguration.

18. Is Yashobhoomi air-conditioned?

Yes. The main convention and exhibition facilities use centralized air-conditioning.

19. Are hotels available inside Yashobhoomi?

Hotels form part of the larger phased development. Approximately 3,500 hotel rooms are envisaged across the integrated master plan, but visitors should check current operational accommodation rather than assuming all planned hotels are complete.

20. Can Yashobhoomi host automobile or machinery exhibitions?

Yes. Its large exhibition halls and column-free spaces are suitable for automobiles, machinery and large industrial exhibits.

21. Can defence exhibitions be held there?

Yes. Official planning specifically highlights the ability to accommodate large-scale defence and aerospace exhibits.

22. Can cultural programmes be organized?

Yes. Its flexible convention and event facilities can support cultural and ceremonial programmes.

23. Is Yashobhoomi environmentally friendly?

The campus has received IGBC Platinum certification and incorporates wastewater reuse, rainwater harvesting, renewable energy and energy-efficient building design.

24. Is the entire Yashobhoomi project complete?

The project has been developed in phases. Phase 1 became operational in 2023, while the larger master plan includes further exhibition, hotel, arena, retail and commercial development.

25. What does MICE mean?

MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.

Conclusion

Yashobhoomi – India International Convention & Expo Centre (IICC) represents one of India's most ambitious convention and exhibition infrastructure projects.

Located strategically at Sector 25, Dwarka, close to IGI Airport and directly connected through the Airport Express Metro, Dwarka Expressway and major road networks, the complex has been designed to attract major national and international business events.

Its combination of a 6,000-seat plenary hall, 11,000+ delegate convention capacity, Grand Ballroom, conference rooms, enormous exhibition infrastructure, extensive parking, EV charging, advanced building systems and sustainable architecture makes it a significant addition to India's MICE infrastructure.

More importantly, Yashobhoomi should be viewed not merely as a convention hall but as an emerging integrated business, exhibition, hospitality and commercial district designed to improve India's competitiveness in the global meetings and exhibitions industry.

Official Sources

Information in this article has been compiled primarily from Government of India sources including the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), India International Convention & Exhibition Centre Ltd. and Press Information Bureau.

Official Yashobhoomi / IICC Website

 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general educational and informational purposes. Project specifications, parking capacities, facilities, access routes, operational areas, event schedules and future development plans may change over time. Visitors, exhibitors and event organizers should verify current information with Yashobhoomi/IICC, the relevant event organizer, Delhi Metro or the concerned authority before travelling or making commercial arrangements.

 

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