The preparation for the Union Budget 2026-27 has reached its final and most secretive phase following the traditional Halwa ceremony held at the North Block on Tuesday. Presided over by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, this ritual officially triggers the “lock-in” period. Approximately 60 to 70 key officials and staff members involved in the drafting and printing of the budget are now sequestered in a high-security basement. They will remain completely isolated from the outside world, including their families, to ensure the absolute confidentiality of the financial documents until the budget is unveiled.
In a landmark departure from tradition, the Union Budget 2026-27 is scheduled to be presented in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, at 11:00 AM. This marks the first time in India’s history that the national budget will be tabled on a Sunday. By choosing not to defer the announcement to a working day, the government is signaling a strict adherence to the February 1st timeline established in 2017. This ensures that the legislative process for the new fiscal year remains on schedule, allowing the government to implement its financial roadmap immediately from April 1st.
Aligning with the “Digital India” vision, the 2026 budget will continue the paperless format introduced in previous years. To ensure public transparency while maintaining protocol, the government will release all 14 statutory budget documents—including the Finance Bill and the Annual Financial Statement—digitally in both English and Hindi. These documents will be made available on the “Union Budget Mobile App” and the official government portal immediately following the conclusion of the Finance Minister’s speech. This approach allows for instant, hassle-free access for Members of Parliament and the general public alike.
