Evolution Of Union Budget Presentation Since Independence: From Briefcase To 'Bahi-Khata' To Tablet - DETAILS

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday presented her eighth consecutive Budget, which she delivered from a digital tablet enclosed in a traditional 'bahi-khata' style pouch. Sitharaman got rid of the colonial tradition of carrying a budget briefcase in July 2019. She instead opted for a traditional 'bahi-khata' to carry the budget papers.

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025 presentation, Sitharaman, along with her team, posed outside the Finance Ministry with a tablet in a ‘bahi-khata’ sleeve. The red cover had a golden-coloured national emblem embossed on it.

Evolution of The Presentation Of Union Budget:

Budget Briefcase:

The presentation of the Union Budget until 2019 was associated with the iconic briefcase. Notably, this legacy was inherited from the British colonial era. India’s first Finance Minister, RK Shanmukham Chetty, continued this budget briefcase tradition. British finance ministers used to carry a Gladstone Box for presenting the budget.

Bahi Khata Budget:

In July 2019, Sitharaman ditched the colonial briefcase and opted for a traditional Indian ‘bahi-khata’. Notably, a bahi-khata is used by small businesses and neighbourhood shops to manage their budget. It is a ledger-styled pouch with a red cover. By using the Bahi Khata, Sitharaman gave an Indian touch to the budget.

Use of Tablet:

The Union Finance Minister continued the tradition of carrying the budget paper in Bahi-Khata in 2020 also. However, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional papers were replaced by a tablet to carry her speech and other Budget documents. This tradition also continued on February 1, 2025.