Summary of this article
MEA opens Toshakhana collection for first-ever public e-auction.
Rolex watches, jewellery and diplomatic gifts attract competitive bidding.
Auction proceeds will be credited to the Consolidated Fund.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has opened its Toshakhana collection to the public for the first time, allowing people to bid online for nearly 300 diplomatic gifts and souvenirs received by government officials during official engagements. The e-auction started on June 8 and will continue until June 30, 2026.
The auction features an array of ceremonial, heritage and collectible items with reserve prices starting at Rs 2,385. The collection includes luxury watches, jewellery, silverware, decorative objects and other diplomatic gifts received over several years, according to an NDTV report.
First Public Auction Under Revised Rules
The public auction has been made possible after the revised Toshakhana Rules, 2024, came into effect. Earlier, such items were not available for purchase by the general public.
Officials said the current auction includes gifts received by serving government officers of the rank of Foreign Secretary and below during official overseas visits and engagements. Until now, the only auction of Toshakhana items was held in 1983 and was limited to employees of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Future auctions are expected to include gifts received by successive External Affairs Ministers as well.
Rolex Watches Among Key Attractions
Some of the most notable items in the auction include two Rolex Yacht-Master watches, each carrying a reserve price of around Rs 16.50 lakh. Officials have stated that both watches have received strong bidding interest.
Other items include a silver dagger from Oman, a sterling silver tea set made in London, an Apple MacBook Pro, silver decorative pieces and gold jewellery from Kuwait. While the Rolex watches have attracted multiple bids, the gold jewellery, with a reserve price of about Rs 9.50 lakh, had not received any bids at the time of the report.
An antique silver box from the 1980s has also emerged as one of the most sought-after items, attracting bids well above its reserve price. Another decorative silver box featuring gold-plated dragons and containing a 20-gram Swiss gold biscuit has already crossed its reserve price.
Auction Process And Delivery
The auction is being organised by the Toshakhana Section of the Establishment Division of the MEA. Officials said a valuation committee determines the reserve price of every item, while packing and shipping charges are added to the appraised value.
Winning bidders will receive free delivery of the purchased items after the auction concludes on June 30.
The proceeds from the sale will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
Toshakhana is the official repository for gifts and souvenirs presented to Indian government functionaries by foreign governments, dignitaries and other overseas sources during official engagements. Officials said most of the items are ceremonial, decorative or collectible in nature rather than intended for everyday use.
