Full Breakdown
Eighth Edition of the PM Mementos e-Auction Launches in New Delhi
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Ministry of Culture will open the eighth edition of the PM Mementos e-Auction on September 17 2026, running through October 31. A total of 1,498 gifts presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be offered for public bidding via the portal www.pmmementos.gov.in. The auction includes 50 “Hero Objects”—notable pieces such as a silver memento of Lord Ram (base price INR13.5 lakh) and a silver replica of the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam (INR9 lakh). An exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) will precede the online sale, allowing visitors to view the items.
Background & Context
The e-auction series began in January 2019 and has become a recurring mechanism for converting state-gifted mementos into funds for public programmes. According to ministry figures, the first seven editions have generated over INR52 crore, with the single largest sale being Olympian Neeraj Chopra’s javelin, which fetched INR1.5 crore in 2021. All proceeds are earmarked for the Namami Gange programme, the government’s flagship effort to clean and rejuvenate the River Ganga.
Data & Statistics
- Items offered: 1,498 gifts
- Hero Objects: 50 highlighted pieces
- Highest base price: Silver Lord Ram memento – INR13.5 lakh
- Other notable base prices: Kakatiya Kala Thoranam – INR9 lakh; Tree of Life Gond painting – INR7.5 lakh; Jagannath Parivar on chariot – INR6 lakh; Gold-plated Radha Krishna artwork – INR5.4 lakh
- Cumulative proceeds (editions 1-7): > INR52 crore
- Largest single sale: Neeraj Chopra’s javelin – INR1.5 crore
Official Statements & Responses
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the initiative showcases India’s “rich and diverse cultural heritage” and provides a “transparent mechanism” for public access to the gifts. He emphasized that the auction links cultural preservation with the national mission to restore the Ganga, noting that the collection’s state-wise representation underscores pan-Indian diversity. The National Gallery of Modern Art is coordinating documentation, exhibition, and operational logistics, with support from NIC, SBI, and a designated fine-art handling agency.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Prime Minister has never worked in self interest. He truly believes in and embodies the fact that what the country has given him is not his to keep but has to be returned to people,” — Gajendra Shekhawat, culture minister
- “Let Priyank ji come and stand before me anytime.” — Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, culture minister