Final Preparations Begin For Union Budget 2026 With Traditional Halwa Ceremony

The Union Budget 2026-27 is entering its final preparation phase with the traditional Halwa ceremony on Tuesday at North Block’s Budget Press.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary attended the event.

The Halwa ceremony marks the start of the ‘lock-in’ period for officials preparing the Budget.

Officials isolate themselves from all external contacts after this ritual to maintain strict confidentiality until Parliament tables the Budget.

The Finance Ministry will present the Union Budget on February 1, 2026.

During the ceremony, the Finance Minister was accompanied by secretaries from various Finance Ministry departments and senior Budget officials.

Sitharaman inspected final preparations at the Budget Press and extended her best wishes to the team handling the Budget.

The Ministry of Finance announced that all Budget documents will now be available digitally for easy public access.

Digital Budget Access Announced

Key documents include the Annual Financial Statement, commonly called the Budget, the Demand for Grants, and the Finance Bill.

The ministry said MPs and citizens can access all Budget documents via the ‘Union Budget Mobile App.’

This includes the Annual Financial Statement, Demand for Grants, and Finance Bill.

The Union Budget Mobile App supports both English and Hindi and is available for Android and iOS devices.

The documents will also be accessible through the official website, indiabudget.gov.in.

The Finance Minister will release digital access to the Budget documents only after she delivers her speech in Parliament on February 1.

The ministry clarified that the Finance Minister will publish the Budget documents on the app and website after her speech.

Officials confirmed that this digital initiative aims to provide transparent and hassle-free access to Budget information for lawmakers and the public.

With the Halwa ceremony concluded, the final countdown begins for the Union Budget 2026 presentation, ensuring strict confidentiality and seamless dissemination of documents.

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