Modi's swearing-in as India's 15th PM one of the biggest functions at Rashtrapati Bhawan

Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony on Monday evening is being projected as one of the biggest events held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Between 3000 and 4,000 guests, including heads of seven SAARC countries, will be attending the ceremony.

Prior to Monday evening's event. Rashtrapati Bhawan had held ceremonies that were attended by about 1,500 guests.

The swearing-in ceremony will be an open air event in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

A stage has been set up at the base of the steps, with hundreds of chairs placed in a semi-circle facing it. The ceremony will be televised live.

Earlier, swearing-in ceremonies were held in the Ashoka Hall, with a restricted guest list of around 400-500 people, said Omita Paul, Secretary to President Pranab Mukherjee, at a media briefing on Sunday.

Only two other ceremonies have been held in the forecourt - Chandrashekhar in 1990 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998, where the guest list comprised of 1,200-1,300 people, said Paul.

There is no word yet if Mr Modi's family would be attending the ceremony, she said.

"It is a one of its kind function being held by Rashtrapati Bhawan. We have tried to take care of each detail. It was a huge logistical challenge for us," she said, adding that they worked in tandem with the security personnel.

Monday's guest list will include foreign leaders, foreign diplomats, members of the former council of ministers, constitutional heads, 777 MPs of both houses, chief ministers, governors and media persons. Some corporate leaders are also expected to attend the swearing-in, she said.

Each of the ministers would be allowed to invite four guests, she added.

The ceremony which will begin at 6 p.m. is expected to last approximately one hour and 10 minutes, said Rashtrapati Bhawan officials, refusing to divulge the number of ministers expected to be sworn-in.

Paul said President Mukherjee believes that Rashtrapati Bhawan belongs to the people and that there should be many more occasions to meet and interact with people. Mr Mukherjee has taken several measures to make the presidential palace more accessible to the common man.

In view of security considerations, no bags and telephones will be allowed.

Barring the VVIPs, who will be allowed to come in their cars, the other guests will have to avail the 'pick and drop' facility.

Around 12 horse-drawn buggies will be provided to ferry the attendees. Guests are to be seated in their chairs by 5 p.m., after which the routes would be closed.