New Delhi: Amid a surge of social media posts and media reports suggesting that the Government of India is planning to monetise gold held by temples and religious institutions, an official clarification has now put the speculation to rest.
The Ministry of Finance, through the Press Information Bureau (PIB), has categorically denied these claims, calling them “completely false, misleading and without any basis.”
OFFICIAL CLARIFICATION | No Monetisation of Temple Gold
The Government of India has strongly denied circulating rumours claiming that it plans to issue gold bonds to temples in exchange for their gold reserves or introduce any monetisation scheme for gold held by temple trusts… pic.twitter.com/7SZHUJw1aW
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) May 19, 2026
According to the official statement released on May 19, 2026, there is no proposal under consideration to introduce any monetisation scheme targeting gold reserves held by temple trusts or other religious bodies. Reports claiming that temples would be issued gold bonds in exchange for their reserves have also been rejected.
The clarification further addresses another circulating claim that gold plating on temple structures such as domes, doors, or towers could be classified as part of India’s “Strategic Gold Reserves.” The government has termed this assertion entirely baseless.
The PIB has urged citizens to refrain from believing or sharing such unverified information, warning that misinformation can create unnecessary confusion and mislead the public. It emphasised that any legitimate policy decisions will only be communicated through official government channels.
This clarification comes in response to widespread online narratives that had triggered concern among devotees and temple authorities across the country.
There is no government plan to monetise temple gold or bring religious gold holdings under any national reserve framework.
