Kerala CM V.D. Satheesan launches the Thiruvonam bumper lottery in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on July 16, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) launched this year’s Thiruvonam Bumper Lottery whose first prize has now been increased to ₹30 crore.
Mr. Satheesan unveiled the lottery at a brief function held in his office in the presence of officials of the State Lotteries Directorate. The tickets will be sold from July 20. The draw is planned on September 26.
The Directorate had announced the hike in the first prize from ₹25 crore to ₹30 crore only a few days ago. This is the highest prize money offered by the government-run Kerala State Lotteries in its history.
The ticket price of the lottery remains unchanged at ₹500.
The prize structure of the Thiruvonam Bumper is as follows: First prize (₹30 crore), second prize (₹1 crore each to 20 winners), third prize (₹25 lakh to 20 winners – two in each series), fourth prize (₹5 lakh to 10 winners – one per series), fifth prize (₹2 lakh each to 10 winners – one per series), sixth prize (₹5000 to 54,000 winners), seventh prize (₹2000 to 81,000 winners), eighth prize – ₹1000 to 1,24,000 winners), ninth prize (₹500 to 2,75,400 winners), consolation prize (₹5 lakh each to nine winners).
The total prize money under this lottery amounts to ₹125.56 crore.
The Directorate has warned buyers not to fall prey to scamsters. They have been asked make purchases only from recognised agents and vendors. The State Lotteries are not sold via social media platforms or via digital payment links, it said.
State Lotteries are an important source of revenue for the Kerala government. Speaking in the State Legislative Assembly in July, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who also handles the Finance portfolio, had announced that the Congress-led UDF government was planning a comprehensive revamp of the State lotteries. The proposed measures will include a revision of the prize structure and the commission of lottery agents.
Additional Chief Secretary K.R. Jyothilal and Lotteries director Anju K.S. were present at the launch of the Thiruvonam bumper lottery.
Published – July 16, 2026 02:03 pm IST
