Union Budget 2026 to Be Presented on February 1 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 on February 1. Following the traditional Halwa Ceremony, officials involved in budget preparation have entered a lock-in phase inside the Finance Ministry. During this period, officials remain under strict security and are completely cut off from the outside world to ensure confidentiality. What Is the Blue Sheet? The Blue Sheet is one of the most confidential documents related to the Union Budget. It contains key financial figures, estimates, and final budget numbers. Because of its importance, it is often called the backbone of the budget. The Finance Minister is not allowed to take the Blue Sheet outside North Block. It remains under the supervision of the Joint Secretary (Budget) and is protected with high-level security. Why the Blue Sheet Is So Important The Blue Sheet holds sensitive data related to: Government income Planned expenditure Fiscal calculations Any leak can impact markets and policy decisions. That is why the document is guarded with extreme secrecy. A Budget Leak That Changed History India has witnessed a major budget leak once. In 1950, confidential budget documents were leaked from the President’s House press before the budget was presented in Parliament. After this incident, the government introduced strict security measures to prevent future leaks. Lock-In System for Budget Security To maintain secrecy, the government introduced the lock-in system. Under this system: Budget officials stay inside North Block External communication is restricted Budget documents are printed in a secure facility Budget printing was shifted from the President’s House to the Government Press at Minto Road to enhance security. How the Union Budget Is Prepared Preparing the Union Budget is a long process that takes around five months. The work begins in September under the Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs. Stage One: Estimating Expenditure Inputs are taken from: Central ministries State governments Union Territories Armed forces and autonomous bodies Their projected expenses are analysed. Stage Two: Stakeholder Consultations The government consults: Economists Industry leaders Farmers Civil society groups This helps assess real economic needs. Stage Three: Revenue and Spending Planning Expected income and expenditure are calculated. Discussions are held with: State governments Bankers Policy experts Tax reliefs and support measures are evaluated. Stage Four: Finalising the Budget The Finance Ministry prepares the budget speech. Legal and policy advice is taken where required. All decisions are finalised under the Finance Minister’s authority. Stage Five: Cabinet Approval and Presentation Before the budget is presented, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approves the proposals. The Finance Minister then presents the budget in Parliament. Sitharaman to Present Her Ninth Budget Union Budget 2026 will be Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth budget as Finance Minister, making it one of the most closely watched financial events of the year. Pls Read : US Iran Tensions Rise Amid Military Drills in the Persian Gulf