The Times of India

Union Budget 2026: Halwa ceremony held at North Block as preparations near completion

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman initiated the final preparations for the Union Budget 2026-27 with the traditional Halwa Ceremony. This event signifies the commencement of a strict lock-in period for officials involved in budget compilation, ensuring utmost confidentiality. The budget will be presented on February 1st, with digital access available via a mobile app.