The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has opened nearly 300 Toshakhana gifts for public e-auction under the revised Toshakhana Rules, 2024. The auction, which commenced on 8 June 2026, will continue until 30 June 2026, allowing citizens to bid on gifts received by Indian public officials during official visits and diplomatic engagements.
This initiative promotes transparency in the management of government gifts while ensuring that the proceeds benefit the public exchequer.
Toshakhana is the official system used by the Government of India for the receipt, valuation, storage, and disposal of gifts presented to public officials during official meetings, foreign visits, and diplomatic events.
The term “Toshakhana” originates from Persian, where “Tosh” means treasure or valuables and “Khana” means house or repository.
In India, the Toshakhana Section functions under the Establishment Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The Toshakhana system ensures that gifts received by ministers, diplomats, and government officials are handled transparently rather than becoming personal property.
Its primary objectives include:
Under the revised Toshakhana Rules, 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs has launched an online auction featuring approximately 300 official gifts.
The auction is being conducted through the MEA Toshakhana Auction Portal, enabling citizens to participate through an online bidding process.
The auction catalogue includes a wide range of valuable diplomatic gifts, such as:
The reserve prices range from approximately ₹2,385 to ₹17 lakh, while some premium items are valued at nearly ₹19 lakh.
The revenue generated from the sale of Toshakhana items is deposited into the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).
The Consolidated Fund of India is the principal account of the Union Government established under Article 266 of the Constitution of India. All government revenues, loans, and receipts are credited to this fund, from which government expenditure is authorized by Parliament.
The current auction primarily includes gifts received by:
The Ministry has also announced plans for a future auction covering gifts received by former External Affairs Ministers.
The revised Toshakhana Rules, 2024 provide a structured process for handling official gifts:
The public e-auction system offers several benefits:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Managed By | Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) |
| Toshakhana Function | Receipt, valuation, storage and disposal of official gifts |
| Current Auction Period | 8 June – 30 June 2026 |
| Number of Items | Around 300 |
| Auction Mode | Online Public E-Auction |
| Highest Valued Items | Up to approximately ₹19 lakh |
| Auction Revenue Credited To | Consolidated Fund of India |
| Constitutional Provision | Article 266 of the Constitution of India |
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