The traditional Halwa Ceremony, marking the final stage of preparation for the Union Budget 2026–27, was held on Tuesday at the Budget Press in North Block. The ceremony took place in the presence of Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, and Union Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary.

The Halwa Ceremony is a customary event that signifies the commencement of the ‘lock-in’ period for officials associated with the Budget-making process. During this period, officers and staff involved in the preparation of the Budget remain confined within the Budget Press premises to maintain secrecy until the Budget is presented in Parliament. The Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 is scheduled to be presented on February 1, 2026.

At the ceremony, the Union Finance Minister was accompanied by Secretaries of various departments under the Ministry of Finance and other senior officers directly involved in drafting and finalising the Budget documents. As part of the event, Smt. Sitharaman also visited the Budget Press, reviewed the arrangements and progress of printing work, and extended her best wishes to the entire Budget preparation team for their efforts.

The Halwa Ceremony symbolises the collective contribution and dedication of officials who work behind the scenes to prepare the country’s most important financial document. The sweet dish ‘halwa’ is traditionally served to mark the occasion and to formally begin the final phase of the Budget process.

Meanwhile, the government has reiterated its focus on enhancing digital accessibility of Budget-related information. All Union Budget documents, including the Annual Financial Statement (Budget), Demand for Grants and the Finance Bill, will be made available on the “Union Budget Mobile App.” The app is bilingual, offering content in both English and Hindi, and will be accessible on Android and iOS platforms. Users can also download it through the Union Budget web portal at www.indiabudget.gov.in.

The Budget documents will be uploaded on the mobile app and the website immediately after the completion of the Union Finance Minister’s Budget speech in Parliament on February 1, 2026, ensuring timely and transparent access for Members of Parliament and the general public.