Budget 2026 Copies to Print at North Block Despite Ministry Relocation

• The Ministry of Finance moved from North Block to Kartavya Bhavan last year, but Budget 2026-27 copies will be printed at North Block's old press.
• The decision to use the North Block press was made due to "significant constraints" in installing new machinery at Kartavya Bhavan in time.
• New printing machines have been procured and installed at Kartavya Bhavan, with trial printing underway, but the old facility is used for caution.
• The customary 'halwa ceremony' precedes a lock-in period for around 60 officials involved in Budget preparation and printing to maintain secrecy.
• The lock-in period has been reduced to under a week due to fewer hard copies and increased digital distribution of the Budget documents.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 copies will be printed at North Block due to delays in setting up the new press at Kartavya Bhavan.