Halwa Ceremony Held to Mark Final Stage of Union Budget 2026–27 Preparations

New Delhi, Jan 2026 :The traditional Halwa ceremony, signifying the final phase of preparations for the Union Budget 2026–27, was held on Tuesday at the Budget Press located in North Block. The event was attended by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, along with senior officials associated with the Budget-making process.

The Halwa ceremony is a time-honoured ritual observed ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget. It marks the commencement of the ‘lock-in’ period, during which officials directly involved in drafting and finalising the Budget remain physically isolated from the outside world to maintain strict confidentiality. From this point onward, no communication with the outside is permitted until the Budget is formally presented in Parliament.

The Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 is scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. Following the ceremony, the lock-in period officially begins, ensuring that all Budget-related information remains secure and undisclosed until the announcement.

During the ceremony, the Finance Minister was joined by secretaries of various departments under the Ministry of Finance, including officials from the Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Revenue, Department of Expenditure and the Department of Financial Services. Several other senior officers who played a key role in compiling and finalising the Budget documents were also present.

FM Sitharaman also visited the Budget Press to review the final arrangements and readiness for printing and dissemination of Budget documents. She interacted with the officials and staff working behind the scenes and extended her best wishes to the entire team for their dedication and efforts in preparing the Union Budget.

In a statement issued after the ceremony, the Ministry of Finance reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and digital accessibility. It announced that all Union Budget documents will be made available in digital format to ensure easy and seamless access for Members of Parliament and the general public.

Key documents to be released digitally include the Annual Financial Statement, commonly referred to as the Budget, the Demand for Grants, and the Finance Bill. These documents will be accessible through the Union Budget Mobile App, which is available in both English and Hindi.

The Union Budget Mobile App can be downloaded on Android and iOS platforms and is also accessible through the official Union Budget website, indiabudget.gov.in. However, the ministry clarified that the Budget documents will be uploaded on the app and the website only after the Finance Minister completes her Budget speech in Parliament on February 1.

“The Budget documents will be available on the Mobile App and the website after the completion of the Budget Speech by the Union Finance Minister in Parliament,” the ministry said, underscoring its focus on timely and transparent dissemination of information.