What is the ‘Halwa’ Ceremony?

About ‘Halwa’ Ceremony:

• It is a customary pre-Budget event that formally flags off the printing of different documents associated with the Budget and marks the final stage of the Union Budget-preparation.
• It involves the preparation of the traditional dessert ‘halwa’ in a massive kadhai (wok) which is then  served to the entire staff in the Finance ministry.
• The finance minister gives the go-ahead by stirring the kadhai and serving the sweet to officials.
• It takes place in the basement of the Finance Ministry’s North Block in Central Delhi, where a special printing press is located.
• After the ‘halwa ceremony’, officials involved in the Budget-making process are ‘locked in’ at the North Block. They are kept in absolute isolation and completely cut off from the outside world till the finance minister finally presents the Budget.
• The “lock-in” which follows the ‘halwa ceremony’ is observed to maintain the secrecy of the Budget preparation process.

Q1) When is the Union Budget presented in India?

The Union Budget of India is presented in Parliament on February 1 by the Finance Minister.  The Budget is traditionally presented in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament.

Source: Halwa Ceremony Returns As FM Sitharaman Marks Final Stage of Budget Preparation