The tradition of the Halwa Ceremony, a significant pre-Budget ritual, was observed at North Block on Sunday, marking the culmination of the final preparations before the presentation of the Union Budget in Parliament on February 1.
Held annually, the ceremony is a behind-closed-doors event that signals the beginning of the final stage of Budget preparations. During this event, a large quantity of halwa is cooked in a massive iron pot, known as a kadhai. The Finance Minister traditionally stirs the halwa first, after which it is served to the staff involved in the Budget process.
The purpose of the Halwa Ceremony is to officially commence the “lock-in” phase, during which the details of the Budget are kept strictly confidential. This period is marked by heightened security measures, limited communication, and restrictions on officials’ movements to prevent any information leaks.
During the lock-in, officials and staff involved in the Budget work face restricted access to phones and external communication, with many required to stay within the North Block premises until the Budget is officially unveiled in Parliament. They are also instructed to cut off contact with their families and the outside world to maintain the secrecy of the budget details.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 on Sunday, February 1, the second full-year Budget of the Narendra Modi government’s third term. The event is closely watched as it sets the fiscal tone for the coming year.
