Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Government Plans Future Budget Press At Kartavya Bhawan 9
The government is planning a new secure place to print the Union Budget.
It may be located on the ground floor of Kartavya Bhawan 9.
The Finance Ministry is expected to work in that building after it is finished.
The same press also prints the Economic Survey.
The press was moved inside the Finance Ministry’s premises after a Budget leak in 1956-1957.
The old printing machines could not be moved to Kartavya Bhawan 1 because they were too large or heavy for the available space.
In 2025, the ministry sought new, lighter machines.
The Delhi Urban Art Commission approved the revised building plan on July 16.
The government plans to establish the secure Budget Press in the ground floor of under-construction Kartavya Bhawan 9.
The Delhi Urban Art Commission approved the revised plan at its July 16 meeting.
The Finance Ministry is expected to move into Kartavya Bhawan 9 after construction is completed.
The press also prints the Economic Survey and was previously located within North Block.
New, lighter printing machines were sought after existing equipment could not be moved to Kartavya Bhawan 1.
- Who
- The government, the Finance Ministry, the Delhi Urban Art Commission, and the Central Public Works Department architect are involved.
- What
- A revised plan adds the secure Budget Press to the ground floor of Kartavya Bhawan 9.
- When
- The Delhi Urban Art Commission approved the plan on July 16; the Finance Ministry floated a tender on September 2, 2025, for lighter printing machines.
- Where
- Kartavya Bhawan 9 in the Central Vista redevelopment area; the existing press was located at North Block.
- Why
- The facility is intended to print the Union Budget and Economic Survey securely, following the significance attached to its location after the 1956-1957 Budget leak.
- Planned location
- Ground floor of Kartavya Bhawan 9
- Approval
- Delhi Urban Art Commission approved the revised plan on July 16
- Expected occupant
- The Finance Ministry is expected to shift to Kartavya Bhawan 9
- Printed documents
- The Union Budget and the Economic Survey
- Previous location
- North Block
- Equipment issue
- Existing machinery could not be moved to Kartavya Bhawan 1 because of space and weight constraints
- New equipment
- A tender for lighter printing machines was floated on September 2, 2025