President Murmu to visit Army Training Command in Shimla on Friday
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu wraps up a five-day Himachal Pradesh sojourn with a visit to the Army Training Command in Shimla before flying back to Delhi — a trip that also spotlighted the 174-year-old Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra, now open to the public with a free weekend bus service from Mall Road.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu will visit Army Training Command, Shimla on Friday, 2 May 2025 before departing for New Delhi.
Her five-day Himachal Pradesh trip began on 27 April , with Rashtrapati Niwas, Mashobra as her base.
She attended a banquet hosted by Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan on 28 April and addressed a convocation at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in Palampur .
Rashtrapati Niwas , built in 1850 , has been open to the public since April 2023 ; a free HRTC bus service operates from Mall Road on weekends.
The presidential residence is one of four such retreats in India, alongside those in Dehradun, Telangana, and New Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit the Army Training Command in Shimla on Friday, 2 May 2025, before departing for New Delhi, concluding a five-day summer sojourn at her official residence in Mashobra, according to an official statement.
Key Highlights of the Himachal Pradesh Visit
President Murmu's visit to Himachal Pradesh, which commenced on 27 April, saw her use Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra as her base before attending a series of engagements across the state. During her stay, she reviewed the amenities available for visitors at Rashtrapati Niwas and personally planted a Khumani sapling in the lawn of the official residence.
On 28 April, President Murmu attended a banquet hosted by Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan in Shimla. She also addressed the convocation ceremony of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in Palampur, ahead of which a security ring was thrown around the city, with local administration restricting aero sports including paragliding for five hours.
About Rashtrapati Niwas, Mashobra
The Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra, constructed in 1850 by the King of Koti in European architectural style, is one of four existing presidential residences in India. Previously known as the Retreat Building, the 174-year-old structure opened its doors to the public in April 2023.
The other three presidential residences are Rashtrapati Ashiana in Dehradun, Rashtrapati Nilayam in Telangana, and Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Free Bus Service for Visitors
To facilitate public access to the presidential retreat, authorities provide a complimentary bus service operated by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), running from the lift parking at Mall Road, Shimla, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The service was launched on 25 July 2024 to celebrate President Murmu's two years in office.
Visitors can explore the historic building, its nature trails, lawns, and parks, accompanied by a guide stationed at the residence.
What Comes Next
With her Army Training Command visit marking the final engagement of this trip, President Murmu is set to return to New Delhi on Friday, bringing the curtain down on her five-day Shimla retreat. The visit underscores the continued public and institutional significance of the Mashobra residence since its opening to visitors.
Point of View
But the sustained effort to open Rashtrapati Niwas to the public — free bus service, guided tours, weekend access — signals a deliberate shift toward democratising presidential spaces. That said, the real story is what rarely gets covered: the Army Training Command stop, which underlines the President's constitutional role as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, a dimension often overshadowed by ceremonial engagements. With India's civil-military interface under periodic scrutiny, such visits carry quiet institutional weight beyond the optics of a summer retreat.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is President Murmu visiting the Army Training Command in Shimla?
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit the Army Training Command in Shimla on Friday, 2 May 2025, as the final engagement of her five-day Himachal Pradesh trip before returning to New Delhi. As the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, such visits are part of her constitutional responsibilities.
Where is Rashtrapati Niwas and can the public visit it?
Rashtrapati Niwas is located in Mashobra, near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. It has been open to the public since April 2023, with a free bus service operated by HRTC running from Mall Road, Shimla, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
What events did President Murmu attend during her Himachal Pradesh visit?
During her visit from 27 April, President Murmu attended a banquet hosted by Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan in Shimla on 28 April and addressed the convocation of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in Palampur. She also reviewed amenities at Rashtrapati Niwas and planted a Khumani sapling on the premises.
How old is Rashtrapati Niwas in Mashobra?
Rashtrapati Niwas was constructed in 1850 by the King of Koti in European architectural style, making it approximately 174 years old. It was previously known as the Retreat Building and is one of four presidential residences in India.
When was the free bus service to Rashtrapati Niwas started?
The complimentary HRTC bus service from Mall Road, Shimla, to Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra was launched on 25 July 2024 to mark President Murmu's two years in office. It operates on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
