The Halwa Ceremony, an important ritual in India’s budget preparation process, symbolizes the ‘lock-in’ of officials who are involved in compiling the Union Budget. The Budget for 2026-27 is scheduled to be presented in Parliament on 1st February 2026.
During the ceremony, Smt. Sitharaman was accompanied by Secretaries of all Departments under the Ministry of Finance and senior officers involved in budget preparation. She also toured the Budget Press, reviewing logistical and technical arrangements, and extended her best wishes to the entire team engaged in finalising the Budget documents.
All Union Budget documents, including the Annual Financial Statement, Demand for Grants, and the Finance Bill, will be accessible digitally through the Union Budget Mobile App. The bilingual app (available in English and Hindi) will allow Members of Parliament and the general public to access Budget documents conveniently on Android and iOS platforms.
The Budget documents will be published on the Mobile App and website immediately after the Finance Minister delivers the Budget Speech in Parliament on 1st February. This digital accessibility aims to promote transparency and provide real-time access to essential financial data for citizens, policymakers, and media professionals alike.
The Halwa Ceremony marks the culmination of months of meticulous planning and coordination among various departments. It serves as a traditional reminder of the diligence, teamwork, and precision required in preparing India’s most important financial statement.
With the Halwa Ceremony concluded, the Budget team now enters the ‘lock-in’ phase, ensuring confidentiality and focus until the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27. This year, emphasis on digital availability of documents and mobile access reflects the Government’s commitment to leveraging technology for governance and public engagement.
