Union Budget 2025: What is the Halwa Ceremony and why is it important?

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The Union Budget is one of the most important events for the country, outlining the government's financial plan for the year. But did you know there's a unique and sweet tradition that kicks off this serious process? It's called the Halwa Ceremony, a ritual organised by the Ministry of Finance, which takes place about 9-10 days before the Union Budget is presented in Parliament.

What is the Halwa ceremony?

The Halwa Ceremony is a tradition where the Finance Ministry hosts an event to mark the start of printing the Union Budget documents. During this ceremony, a special Indian dessert, halwa (made from semolina, sugar, and ghee), is prepared in large quantities and distributed to all the officials and staff involved in the budget-making process. The dessert is cooked in a large iron kadhai (cauldron), and the Finance Minister begins the ceremony by stirring the halwa.

Once prepared, the halwa is served to all the officials and staff members who are part of the budget-making process. It's a way to bring everyone together and celebrate the effort that goes into preparing the budget.

What happens after the Halwa ceremony?

Following the Halwa Ceremony, a strict lockdown is imposed on the officials involved in drafting and printing the budget. For 9-10 days, they are kept in complete isolation within the North Block, which houses the Ministry of Finance. During this time:

• Officials have no access to the outside world, including their families, mobile phones, or the internet.
• In case of emergencies, family members can leave messages on a designated number, but no direct communication is allowed.

This practice ensures the utmost confidentiality and prevents any leaks of sensitive budget details before it is presented in Parliament.

The 2025 ceremony

This year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the customary Halwa Ceremony on 24th February 2025. As always, the event marked the official start of the final phase of budget preparation and brought together the team responsible for shaping the country's financial roadmap.

Why is the Halwa ceremony important?

The ceremony is more than just a fun tradition; it holds a lot of significance:

• Team recognition: It honours the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in drafting the budget.
• Maintaining secrecy: It marks the start of the "lock-in" period, ensuring the confidentiality of the budget.
• Cultural value: Sharing sweets like halwa is a way to celebrate beginnings and foster a sense of togetherness.

Does the ceremony still happen in the digital age?

In recent years, much of the budget process has gone digital. In 2021, the Union Budget was presented in a completely paperless format for the first time. However, despite these changes, the halwa ceremony continues to be an important tradition, blending modern practices with cultural roots.