What is the Budget Halwa Ceremony?

The Halwa ceremony, a significant tradition marking the final stage of the Union Budget 2025-26 preparation, is set to take place on Friday, 24 January 2025, at 5 PM in North Block. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will preside over the event, which precedes the budget session of parliament scheduled from January 31 to April 4, with an inter-session break starting February 14. President Droupadi Murmu will address the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on January 31.

Understanding the Halwa Ceremony: This ritual involves the preparation and serving of "halwa" to officials and staff involved in the budget's preparation, symbolizing the beginning of the final phase of budget preparation. Following this ceremony, officials enter a 'lock-in' period, remaining within the North Block premises without external communication to ensure the confidentiality of the budget details until its official presentation in Parliament.

Behind the Scenes of Budget Preparation

After the halwa ceremony, the budget documents are sent for printing upon receiving approval from the Prime Minister. The Intelligence Bureau conducts surprise inspections at the printing press located in the ministry's basement to further secure the process. This meticulous preparation underscores the importance of the budget and the lengths to which the government goes to ensure its secrecy and integrity.

This year's budget presentation will mark Sitharaman's seventh budget, setting a new record. Like previous budgets, Budget 2025 will be delivered in a paperless format, reflecting the government's commitment to sustainability and modernization.

Economic Context of Budget 2025

The budget comes at a time when the Indian economy faces challenges, including weak GDP numbers and consumption. Despite these hurdles, India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, with a real GDP growth projection of 6.5-7 per cent for 2024-25. The government's efforts to navigate these economic challenges will be closely watched, as the budget aims to stimulate growth and address key areas of concern.