Union budget 2025: Interesting facts about Indian budget kids must know

Feb 1, 2025 TOI Lifestyle Desk

Union Budget decides the economic status of the country

The Union Budget is a significant event in India. For kids, understanding the budget can provide valuable insights into how the country plans its finances and prioritizes various sectors. Here are a few interesting facts about the Indian Union Budget that kids should know: Getty Images

Union Budget will be presented on February 1

On February 1, the Union Finance Minister will present the budget for the country. Earlier it was presented on February 28 or 29, but in 2017 the date was changed to Feb 1 to improve financial planning. Getty Images

Budget will be presented 11 am onwards

2001 onwards the budget presentation timing was shifted from 5pm to 11 am ending a colonial era practice. Later the date was shifted to February 1. Getty Images

73 annual budgets have been presented so far

Since independence, India has seen a total of 73 annual budgets, 14 interim budgets, and four special budgets. Each budget reflects the government's financial planning and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year Getty Images

This year, Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget

The Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman will present the annual budget in the Parliament today. She has presented 7 budgets so far in her capacity as the finance minister since 2019. Getty Images

In 2020, Nirmala Sitharaman gave the longest budget speech

In 2020, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered the longest budget speech in India's history, lasting 2 hours and 42 minutes. Interestingly, she had to cut her speech short due to health reasons, but it still set a record for its length. Getty Images

Budget is presented as 'Bahi-khata'

In 2021, breaking away from the practice of carrying budget documents in a briefcase, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the first-ever paperless budget. She used a digital tablet wrapped in a traditional 'bahi-khata' style pouch. Getty Images

The 'Halwa ceremony'

Before the budget is presented, there's a unique tradition called the 'Halwa Ceremony.' In this ceremony, a sweet dish called 'halwa' is prepared and served to the officials involved in the budget-making process. Getty Images

Interim budget

In years where a full budget can't be presented due to elections, an interim budget is presented. The full budget comes after the new government comes to power. Getty Images

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