By Admin 
Budget 2026: As February 1st is approaching, the excitement regarding the budget is intensifying. On this day, from common people to the market, everyone’s eyes are fixed on the budget speech of the Finance Minister. But before the presentation of the budget, there is a special process, which is generally not discussed. This process starts with the Halwa Ceremony.
After the Halwa ceremony, many important officials related to the budget are locked for a fixed period. This is called ‘lock-in period’. During this period, officials can neither contact anyone nor any information related to the budget can go out. Let us know what is this lock-in period and when did it start?
What is lock-in period?
The time period after the Halwa ceremony till the presentation of the budget is called the lock-in period. During this period, officers and employees associated with budget preparation are kept in a secure premises. They cannot go out nor meet or talk to any outsider.
During this period, officers cannot meet other people including their families. There is also a ban on the use of mobile phones, internet and social media. So that no information related to the budget can go out before time.
Where did the tradition of lock-in period start?
The lock-in period implemented before the budget is not a new thing. It started during the period of British rule. Even after independence, the government maintained this tradition, so that confidential information related to the budget could remain safe. In the year 1950, information related to the budget was leaked. After which this process has been made more strict.
Initially, budget related documents were printed in the press located at Rashtrapati Bhavan, but after the incidents of leaks, the system was changed. After this, printing started at Minto Road Press and then every year since 1980, budget documents started being printed in the special press located in the basement of North Block.
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