The traditional Halwa ceremony, symbolizing the start of final preparations for the Union Budget 2026-27, occurred at the Budget Press in North Block. This event, attended by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, initiates a ‘lock-in’ period for Budget officials. During this time, officials are isolated to maintain confidentiality until the Budget presentation on February 1.
FM Sitharaman, accompanied by department secretaries and senior officials, reviewed the Budget Press’s final arrangements. The government announced that all Union Budget documents, including the Annual Financial Statement, Demand for Grants, and Finance Bill, will be digitally accessible to the public. These documents will be available on the Union Budget Mobile App in English and Hindi after the Finance Minister’s Budget speech on February 1.
The Budget documents will be accessible through the Union Budget Mobile App and the website, ensuring easy access for Members of Parliament and the general public. The Ministry of Finance confirmed that the Budget documents will be released digitally post the Finance Minister’s Budget speech in Parliament on February 1.
