Finance Ministry to Hold Halwa Ceremony Ahead of Union Budget 2025-26
New Delhi: The traditional Halwa Ceremony, a symbolic event marking the final stage of preparations for the Union Budget 2025-26, is scheduled to take place at the North Block on Friday evening. This annual ritual is a significant part of the budget-making process in India, conducted before the “lock-in” phase begins for compiling and printing the budget documents.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the ceremony, accompanied by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, senior officials, and staff from the ministry. The event acknowledges the collective efforts of those involved in preparing the Union Budget, which will soon be presented in Parliament.
The Halwa Ceremony gets its name from the Indian dessert “halwa,” prepared in a large ‘kadhai’ (cauldron) at the North Block. In keeping with tradition, the Finance Minister stirs the halwa and serves it to ministry officials and staff. This gesture symbolizes gratitude for their dedication and hard work during the intensive budget preparation process.
The ceremony also signals the start of the “lock-in” phase, during which officials directly involved in the budget process remain confined to the North Block until the budget is presented. This step ensures the confidentiality and security of the budget details.
The Halwa Ceremony is more than a customary ritual; it reflects the collaborative spirit of the finance ministry and highlights the importance of teamwork in crafting the country’s financial roadmap. It is a tradition that not only respects the efforts of officials but also adds a cultural and personal touch to a highly technical process.
As the event unfolds, it marks the beginning of the countdown to the Union Budget presentation in Parliament, an event eagerly awaited by businesses, policymakers, and citizens across the country. This year’s budget is expected to play a crucial role in shaping India’s economic trajectory, making the Halwa Ceremony a prelude to one of the government’s most significant annual exercises.
