The process involved in preparing the Union Budget: An explainer

All of this culminates on February 1, when the Cabinet approves the budget, the Finance Minister presents it to the President, then proceeds to Lok Sabha, where she rises at 11 am to begin her speech

On October 10, the preparations for the Union Budget 2023 began in full earnest. From then till February 1, various departments of the government, especially Finance Ministry, will be a hive of relentless activity.

Most of the nation just sees the Finance Minister’s speech in Lok Sabha on February 1, but the budget itself is more than that. And it takes a lot of preparation, planning, coordination and forecasting to get to that day.

October-November

The budget process officially begins in September when a Budget Circular is issued, signed by Joint Secretary (Budget division) in the Finance Ministry. In it