New Delhi, Jan. 27 -- The Halwa ceremony, marking the final stage of the Budget preparation process for union Budget 2026-27, was held in the Budget Press at North Block today, when union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her deputy, Pankaj Chaudhary were present.
The ceremony is a customary ritual in which traditional dessert 'halwa' is prepared and served to officials and staff members of the Finance ministry who are involved in the preparation of the budget. The ceremony took place at the North Block on Raisina Hill, the old address of the Finance Ministry, as the new premises at the Kartyava Bhawan-I do not have a printing press.
The 'Halwa ceremony' precedes the 'lock-in' of the officials involved in the preparation of the unio...