Bharat Mandapam Guide: Gates, Metro, Halls & Events (2026)
Updated 2026-10-04 · 7 min read · by the delhi2go team
Bharat Mandapam is the convention and exhibition complex at Pragati Maidan, run by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). The nearest metro is Supreme Court on the Blue Line (formerly Pragati Maidan station), right beside Gate 10. It hosts the India International Trade Fair every November, the New Delhi World Book Fair every January, and trade shows and conferences most weeks in between. Upcoming events are listed on our Bharat Mandapam venue page.
Bharat Mandapam at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Run by | India Trade Promotion Organisation (Ministry of Commerce) |
| Opened | 26 July 2023, on the site of the old Hall of Nations |
| Size | About 123 acres; convention centre seats 7,000 |
| Nearest metro | Supreme Court (Blue Line), beside Gate 10 |
| Main roads | Bhairon Road (east), Mathura Road (south), Purana Qila Road |
| Parking | Underground, for 5,000+ vehicles |
| Big annual events | IITF (November), World Book Fair (January) |
What Bharat Mandapam is
Pragati Maidan has been Delhi’s exhibition ground for decades. The redeveloped complex, Bharat Mandapam, was inaugurated on 26 July 2023 at a cost of about ₹2,700 crore, replacing older halls including the celebrated Hall of Nations. Weeks later it hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit (9–10 September 2023). Today it combines a multi-level convention centre that can seat 7,000, a set of large exhibition halls and an open-air amphitheatre across roughly 123 acres.
The halls and spaces
| Space | Where | Capacity / size | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plenary Hall | Convention centre, Level 3 | 3,000 | Summits, award shows, big conferences |
| Multi-Purpose Hall | Convention centre, Level 3 | 4,000 (7,000 combined with the Plenary) | Large conferences, cultural evenings |
| Amphitheatre | Convention centre, Level 2 (open-air) | 3,000 | Performances, outdoor cultural shows |
| Auditorium 1 and 2 | Convention centre, Level 2 | 600 and 900 | Seminars, screenings, talks |
| Meeting rooms | Convention centre, Level 1 | 20 rooms | Business meetings |
| Exhibition Halls 1–6 and 14 | Ground floor (with upper floors in 1–5 and 14) | About 4,800–10,800 sq m each | Trade fairs, the Book Fair, IITF |
| Older halls 8–12A | Across the campus | Varies | Overflow halls during big fairs |
Halls 5 and 6 are the largest of the new halls. For a public fair, the event map tells you which hall has what, so screenshot it before you arrive.
Getting there by metro
- Supreme Court (Blue Line) is the closest station and sits right next to Gate 10 on the western side. This is the same station older maps and many locals still call Pragati Maidan.
- From the Violet Line, change to the Blue Line at Mandi House, one stop away.
- Indraprastha (Blue Line) is the next stop east and an alternative exit on busy days, especially when you’re leaving.
- There is no metro station called “Bhairon Marg”. If you’re going to the National Science Centre or the Bhairon Road gates, budget extra walking time from Supreme Court.
Which gate to use
The complex has gates on all sides:
| Side | Gates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bhairon Road (east) | 1, 3, 4, 5A, 5B | Gate 4 has wheelchair entry; National Science Centre is on this side |
| Mathura Road (south) | 5C, 6, 7, 8, 9 | ITPO headquarters is at Gate 9 |
| West | 10 | Beside Supreme Court metro; wheelchair entry |
| North | 11 |
Gates open and close by event. For IITF 2025, the public used Gates 3 and 4 (Bhairon Road) and Gates 6 and 10 (Mathura Road). Always check your ticket or the organiser’s page for the current year.
Parking
ITPO says the underground parking takes more than 5,000 vehicles. It’s reached from Ring Road, Mathura Road and Purana Qila Road, through the tunnel and underpass network around Pragati Maidan, and there is separate surface parking on Bhairon Road. Fees and booking arrangements vary by event, so check the organiser’s instructions. On IITF weekends and Book Fair Sundays, the surrounding roads jam badly, and the metro is almost always faster.
Food, facilities and accessibility
- Food: There are food and beverage outlets across the campus, and big fairs add food courts and state food stalls. Expect queues at lunchtime, and carry a water bottle.
- Walking: The campus is huge and the gates are far apart. Wear comfortable shoes, and plan your route hall by hall.
- Accessibility: ITPO describes the venue as accessible for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. The site map marks wheelchair entry at Gates 4 and 10, with covered pathways between buildings. For specific help, such as wheelchairs, contact the event organiser before your visit.
- Security: Expect bag checks at the gates for big public events, and carry a photo ID.
The events calendar
January: New Delhi World Book Fair
One of India’s biggest book fairs fills several halls every January. The 2026 edition ran from 10 to 18 January in Halls 2–6, and the 2027 fair is scheduled for 16 to 24 January 2027. It’s one of Delhi’s best family days out in winter. Look for book launches and author sessions under literature events.
February 2027: Bharat Mobility Global Expo
India’s mobility show, which now includes the Auto Expo, was held at Bharat Mandapam (with Yashobhoomi and India Expo Mart) in 2024 and January 2025. There’s no 2026 edition. The next one is scheduled for 4–9 February 2027.
Through the year: trade shows and conferences
Most weeks see a trade fair or conference, from hardware and security shows to EV expos. Many are trade-only or need business registration. Browse expos, business events and tech events for what’s open to visitors.
November: India International Trade Fair (IITF)
The trade fair is the biggest public event of the year. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 13–27 November. The first days are business-only, and the general public days follow. In 2025, public tickets cost ₹80 on weekdays and ₹150 on weekends. For dates, tickets and gate tips, read our full IITF 2026 guide.
Concerts and cultural shows
The 3,000-seat amphitheatre and the convention halls host cultural evenings, award shows and some ticketed performances, though stadiums still take the biggest concerts. Keep an eye on our concerts page.
Not here: Delhi Comic Con
Delhi Comic Con is held at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in Okhla, not at Bharat Mandapam. Our Comic Con guide has the details.
Bharat Mandapam or Yashobhoomi? Don’t mix them up
Delhi now has two giant convention centres, and event listings sometimes just say “convention centre”. Check which one your ticket names.
- Bharat Mandapam is at Pragati Maidan in central Delhi, run by ITPO, with Supreme Court station on the Blue Line.
- Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre) is in Dwarka Sector 25, near the airport, with its own station, Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25, on the Airport Express Line.
They’re more than an hour apart by road at busy times, so a mix-up can cost you the event. Some big shows, like the 2025 mobility expo, use both venues at once.
What to bring
- Photo ID, for security and for any event that needs registration.
- Your ticket or registration QR, downloaded, not just in an email.
- A water bottle and a light bag. You’ll walk a lot, and large bags slow you down at security.
- A power bank, if the event allows one. Event apps and maps drain phones quickly over a long day.
- Cash and UPI. Most stalls take UPI, but a little cash helps when networks are busy.
Make a day of it nearby
- National Science Centre: on Bhairon Road at the edge of the complex, entered from Gate 4. It’s open daily 9:30 am to 6 pm, and entry costs ₹100. Great with children; see our kids’ weekend guide.
- Purana Qila and the Delhi Zoo: just across Mathura Road. The zoo is closed on Fridays.
- Sunder Nursery and Humayun’s Tomb: a short auto ride south along Mathura Road.
- India Gate: a few minutes’ drive west.
Quick tips
- Take the metro to Supreme Court and enter at Gate 10 unless your ticket names another gate.
- Go on weekdays for big public fairs. Weekend crowds at IITF are intense.
- Screenshot the hall map and your ticket before you arrive.
- Plan your exit. At closing time, walking to Indraprastha station can beat the queue at Supreme Court.
- Check the date of public days, because many events start with business-only days.
For everything on at Pragati Maidan and around Delhi this week, see this week’s events.
Frequently asked questions
Which metro station is nearest to Bharat Mandapam?
Supreme Court station on the Blue Line, formerly named Pragati Maidan, is the nearest and sits beside Gate 10. If you're coming on the Violet Line, change to the Blue Line at Mandi House, one stop away.
Is Pragati Maidan metro station the same as Supreme Court?
Yes. The Blue Line station that used to be called Pragati Maidan has been renamed Supreme Court. Its neighbouring stations are Mandi House and Indraprastha.
Which gate should I use at Bharat Mandapam?
It depends on the event. For IITF 2025, public entry was through Gates 3 and 4 on Bhairon Road and Gates 6 and 10 on Mathura Road. Gate 10 is closest to Supreme Court metro, and Gates 4 and 10 are marked for wheelchair access.
Is there parking at Bharat Mandapam?
Yes. ITPO says the underground parking holds more than 5,000 vehicles, reached from Ring Road, Mathura Road and Purana Qila Road. There is also surface parking on Bhairon Road. During big fairs, the metro is usually faster.
What events are held at Bharat Mandapam?
The biggest are the India International Trade Fair in November and the New Delhi World Book Fair in January, along with trade shows and conferences through the year. Bharat Mobility Global Expo, which includes the Auto Expo, returns in February 2027. It also hosted the G20 Summit in September 2023.
Is Delhi Comic Con held at Bharat Mandapam?
No. Delhi Comic Con is held at the NSIC Exhibition Grounds in Okhla, not at Bharat Mandapam.
