Shortly after independence in 1949 India was in a phase of finding its own identity. With his massive buildings made of exposed concrete and brick in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad Le Corbusier was, in 1951, one of the key masterminds stimulating the new architectural beginnings on the subcontinent. Against this backdrop, in his wake local architects such as Doshi developed new brutalist design language.

The building is in use and in good structural condition, but there are some inappropriate changes to the façade. These include boxy air conditioning units mounted on the outside in the areas of the originally open loggias, as well as altered or built-over balcony zones that are now used as offices or storage rooms. The entire government complex, which includes the Secretariat Building, is internationally protected by the UNESCO World Heritage status (since July 2016), but has no formal local or national heritage certification (last updated on July 27, 2025).