The Union Budget is one of the most important events in the Indian economy. It is the annual statement of the government’s revenue and expenditure for the next financial year. The Budget also reflects the government’s vision, priorities, and policies for various sectors and segments of the society.
But do you know some of the lesser-known facts about the Budget presentation in the country? Here are five interesting facts that you may not know about India’s fiscal plan.
The first Budget of independent India was presented in 1947
The first Budget of independent India was presented by R.K. Shanmukham Chetty, the then Finance Minister, on November 26, 1947. The Budget speech lasted for one hour and 35 minutes and focused on the challenges faced by the newly independent nation. The Budget also proposed a tax on income from property and a surcharge on income tax to finance the rehabilitation of refugees.
The longest and shortest Budget speeches were delivered by Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman, the current Finance Minister, holds the record for delivering the longest and shortest Budget speeches in the history of India. She delivered the longest Budget speech on February 1, 2020, when she presented the Union Budget for 2020-21. She spoke for two hours and 42 minutes, breaking her own record of two hours and 17 minutes set in July 2019, when she delivered her maiden Budget.
On the other hand, she delivered the shortest Budget speech on February 1, 2023, when she presented the interim Budget for 2024-25. She spoke for only 15 minutes, as the full Budget for the next fiscal year will be presented after the formation of the new government post the Lok Sabha elections.
The prime minister has presented the Budget on three occasions
The finance minister is generally entrusted with presenting the Union Budget every year. However, there have been instances when the Budget was presented by the prime minister of the nation. Pandit Jawaharlal Lal Nehru was the first prime minister to present a Union Budget. In 1958, then-Finance Minister TT Krishnamachari resigned due to his alleged involvement in the Haridas Mundhra controversy. Hence, Pandit Nehru was forced to present the Union Budget.
Again in 1970, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi presented the Budget after Finance Minister Morarji Desai resigned in protest of the nationalisation of 14 Indian private banks without consulting him. Similarly, in 1987-88, the then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi presented the Budget when Finance Minister VP Singh resigned.
The Budget was printed in Rashtrapati Bhavan till 1950
The Budget documents are currently printed in the basement of North Block, the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance. The printing process is carried out in utmost secrecy and security, with the staff involved being locked in the premises for about two weeks. However, this was not always the case. Till 1950, the Budget documents were printed at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The practice was changed after a leak in 1950, when a journalist published the highlights of the Budget before it was presented in the Parliament.
The Budget went paperless in 2021
Nirmala Sitharaman set another record in Covid pandemic-hit 2021 by presenting the first paperless Budget. She presented the Union Budget 2021-22 in digital format. The finance minister read her Budget speech in Parliament via a digital tablet. Upon completion of the speech, the Budget documents were made available through mobile apps. In 2023, Sitharaman further continued with the tradition of paperless Budgets. While in 2021 the paperless Budget was presented to minimise physical contact in the time of Covid-19, it has now become the practice.
![gain Rise in Gold Rate in India After Falling Rs 21,200/24K; Will Gold Price Today Jump or Drop on 28 March? By Harshika Yadav Published: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 6:55 [IST] preference Add as a preferred source on Google Gold rates in India witnessed a modest recovery on March 27, 2026, after a sharp fall in the previous session, indicating a cautious stabilisation in the bullion market. The yellow metal had dropped by Rs 212 per gram (or Rs 21,200 per 100 grams) of 24 Karat (24K) earlier, but managed to regain some ground. Gold Price Updates as US-Iran Tensions Ease; Pakistan, Turkiye & Egypt Step Up Mediation Efforts The rise in yellow metal follows easing geopolitical concerns after US President Donald Trump signalled a delay in potential military action against Iran's energy infrastructure by 10 days, pushing the deadline to April 6. This development, along with ongoing diplomatic efforts, has helped support safe-haven demand. gold Rate Today Further adding to market sentiment, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Islamabad is acting as an intermediary between the United States and Iran, relaying messages as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions. Countries like Türkiye and Egypt are also reportedly supporting the mediation process, offering some relief to global financial markets. Gold Rate in India: Check Latest 22K, 24K & 18K Gold Prices Per Gram 24 Karat Gold Rate Today in India In the 24 Karat segment, at the time of writing, the rate for 1 gram stood at Rs 14,471, rising by Rs 16 from Rs 14,455. For 8 grams, the price increased to Rs 1,15,768, up by Rs 128. The rate for 10 grams climbed to Rs 1,44,710, reflecting a gain of Rs 160, while 100 grams of 24 Karat gold were priced at Rs 14,47,100, marking an increase of Rs 1,600. 22 Karat Gold Rate Today in India The price of one gram of 22K stood at Rs 13,265, gaining Rs 15 from the previous session. For 8 grams, the rate rose to Rs 1,06,120, registering an increase of Rs 120. The cost of 10 grams advanced to Rs 1,32,650, up by Rs 150, while 100 grams were priced at Rs 13,26,500, reflecting a gain of Rs 1,500. 18 Karat Gold Rate Today in India The rate for one gram of 18K stood at Rs 10,853, up by Rs 12. For 8 grams, the price moved up to Rs 86,824, marking a gain of Rs 96. The rate for 10 grams climbed to Rs 1,08,530, increasing by Rs 120, while 100 grams were valued at Rs 10,85,300, reflecting an uptick of Rs 1,200. Latest MCX Gold Price In the domestic futures market, gold on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) held firm above the Rs 1,44,500 level as per latest trading record, supported largely by the weakness in the Indian rupee, which continues to cushion local prices despite global volatility. Latest Spot Gold Rate The rebound in domestic gold rates comes alongside a recovery in international markets, where gold moved above the $4,400 per ounce mark. What Lies Ahead for Gold Prices? Check Gold Rate Prediction Jateen Trivedi, VP - Research Analyst (Commodity and Currency), LKP Securities, said, "Gold remained slightly positive, trading above $4,425 with highs near $4,475, supported by initial optimism around US-Iran talks. However, the sharp rise in crude continues to signal underlying market stress and inflation risks." From a technical perspective, he explained, "Technically, support is seen near Rs 1,42,000, while resistance is placed around Rs 1,46,500. Overall, gold is expected to remain volatile with limited upside unless clarity emerges on inflation and geopolitics."](https://keralanews247.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/rupee-and-dollar-scaled-120x86.png)
