PM Mementos e-Auction 2026: Gujarat's Heritage Goes Under the Hammer
The 8th PM Mementos e-Auction, begun on 17 September 2026, offers 1,498 mementos, with Gujarat's crafts featured; proceeds go to the Namami Gange Programme.

Why in News
On 21 September 2026 the Ministry of Culture highlighted Gujarat's heritage items in the 8th PM Mementos e-Auction, which began on 17 September 2026.
The 8th edition of the PM Mementos e-Auction, which opened on 17 September 2026, is offering 1,498 mementos presented to the Prime Minister on various occasions. On 21 September 2026 the Ministry of Culture highlighted the Gujarat collection in the auction, which brings together the State's temple architecture, textiles, folk painting, sport and technology.
Gujarat items in the auction
- Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Vadnagar: an architectural memento of the 17th-century temple, with ornamentation inspired by the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
- Mata-ni-Pachedi: a "Tree of Life" textile painting. The name means "behind the Mother Goddess", as these cloths were made to hang behind the deity in shrines.
- Pithora painting: a framed work of the ritual art associated with the Rathwa, Bhil and Bhilala communities of central Gujarat, showing horses, deities and other motifs.
- India's first solar tile with engraved glass showing the Modhera Sun Temple, linking an old sun temple with modern solar energy.
- A sports memento from table tennis player Manav Thakkar, who has represented India at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Championships.
- Also on offer: representations of the Ambaji and Somnath temples and Dwarkadhish Ji, a Bhujodi shawl, Lippan art, a model of AIIMS Rajkot, a layered wooden model of the Adalaj stepwell, and Tata Electronics' semiconductor plaque titled "Charkha to Chips".
How the auction works
The auction is organised by the Ministry of Culture through the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, and runs online on the portal pmmementos.gov.in. Citizens, collectors, institutions and art lovers can bid for the gifts. The money raised goes to the Namami Gange Programme, the national mission to conserve and rejuvenate the River Ganga.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | 8th |
| Started | 17 September 2026 |
| Mementos on offer | 1,498 |
| Organiser | Ministry of Culture, through NGMA New Delhi |
| Proceeds go to | Namami Gange Programme |
| Auction series began | January 2019 |
| Raised so far | More than ₹50 crore |
Since the series began in January 2019, the earlier editions have raised more than ₹50 crore for the Namami Gange project.
Important Facts
| Edition | 8th PM Mementos e-Auction |
|---|---|
| Began | 17 September 2026 |
| Mementos offered | 1,498 |
| Organised by | Ministry of Culture through NGMA, New Delhi |
| Proceeds | Namami Gange Programme |
| First edition | January 2019 |
| Raised so far | More than ₹50 crore |
| Portal | pmmementos.gov.in |
| Pithora painting communities | Rathwa, Bhil and Bhilala |
| Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple | Vadnagar, 17th century |
Exam Point of View
Expect questions on where the proceeds go (Namami Gange), who organises the auction (Ministry of Culture through NGMA), the edition (8th) and number of items (1,498), and on Gujarat's art forms: Pithora (Rathwa, Bhil, Bhilala), Mata-ni-Pachedi, Lippan art, the Adalaj stepwell and the Modhera Sun Temple.
Practice Questions
The proceeds of the PM Mementos e-Auction go to which programme?
- A.Swachh Bharat Kosh
- B.Namami Gange Programme
- C.PM CARES Fund
- D.National Defence Fund
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Namami Gange Programme
Explanation
The correct answer is Namami Gange Programme. The money raised by the PM Mementos e-Auction supports Namami Gange, the national mission dedicated to the conservation, rejuvenation and protection of the River Ganga and its ecosystem. Since the series began in January 2019, the earlier editions have raised more than ₹50 crore for the project.
The other options are real government funds, which is why they are plausible. Swachh Bharat Kosh collects contributions for sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The PM CARES Fund was set up for emergency and disaster relief. The National Defence Fund supports the welfare of the armed forces and their families. None of them receives the auction money. The 8th edition of the auction began on 17 September 2026 and offers 1,498 mementos online.
The PM Mementos e-Auction is organised by the Ministry of Culture through which institution?
- A.Lalit Kala Akademi
- B.National Museum, New Delhi
- C.National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi
- D.Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
Show answer
Correct answer: C. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi
Explanation
The correct answer is National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. The Ministry of Culture organises the PM Mementos e-Auction through NGMA, and the auction gives citizens, collectors, institutions and art enthusiasts a chance to acquire mementos presented to the Prime Minister on various occasions. It is conducted online on the portal pmmementos.gov.in.
The other three are also institutions under the Ministry of Culture, which makes them strong distractors. The Lalit Kala Akademi is the national academy of fine arts. The National Museum in New Delhi holds India's major collection of antiquities. The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts works on research and documentation of the arts. Only NGMA runs this auction, whose 8th edition started on 17 September 2026.
The Pithora painting featured in the PM Mementos e-Auction 2026 is associated with which communities of central Gujarat?
- A.Rathwa, Bhil and Bhilala
- B.Warli and Kokna
- C.Gond and Baiga
- D.Santhal and Munda
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Rathwa, Bhil and Bhilala
Explanation
The correct answer is Rathwa, Bhil and Bhilala. The Ministry of Culture's note on the auction describes a framed Pithora painting associated with these communities of central Gujarat, featuring horses, deities and motifs that represent the beliefs behind the art. Pithora paintings are traditionally made on the walls of homes as a ritual offering, and the horse is one of their most recognisable figures.
The other pairs are linked with different tribal art traditions, which is how exams test this topic. Warli painting, with its stick-like figures, comes from the Warli and neighbouring communities of the Maharashtra–Gujarat border. Gond art belongs to central India, especially Madhya Pradesh, and the Baiga live in the same region. The Santhal and Munda are communities of eastern India. Other Gujarat items in the auction include a Mata-ni-Pachedi textile, Lippan art and a Bhujodi shawl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the money from the PM Mementos e-Auction go?
The proceeds support the Namami Gange Programme, the national mission for the conservation and rejuvenation of the River Ganga. The auction series has raised more than ₹50 crore since January 2019.
Who organises the PM Mementos e-Auction?
The Ministry of Culture, through the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi. The 8th edition, which began on 17 September 2026, runs online on pmmementos.gov.in.
Sources
Current Affairs 21 September 2026
- India–New Zealand FTA to Enter into Force on 20 October 2026International
- Asian Games 2026: India Win Three Medals in Men's 10m Air RifleSports
- Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0: 15 Lakh Take Ocean PledgeEnvironment
- Government Urges PSB and RRB Staff to Call Off Bank StrikesBanking & Finance
- Mines Ministry Launches Concept Paper on Critical Mineral RecyclingEconomy
- Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0: Nal Jal Mitra and Sujalam Shakti PushGovernment Schemes
- Office of PSA Holds First State Nodal Officers Meeting on I-STEMScience & Technology
Related Current Affairs
- National
Kathakali Festival Opens in Chennai: Three Schools, Three Nights
19 September 2026 · 2 min read
Related GK
- Preamble of the Indian Constitution: Notes, Keywords and PYQs
22 September 2026 · Indian Polity
- Making of the Indian Constitution: Notes, Key Dates and PYQs
21 September 2026 · Indian Polity
