When was the Budget Printed In Hindi For The First Time?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for the financial year 2025-26 on February 1, outlining the Centre’s expenditures, revenues, and tax proposals. This marks the second full budget of the NDA government in its third tenure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the budget is an essential economic document, its history is deeply rooted in India’s journey through colonialism and independence. One such milestone in this journey is the introduction of the Union Budget in Hindi, a step toward making it accessible to the masses.

What is a Budget?

A budget is a detailed statement of the estimated revenues and expenditures of the government for a specific financial year. Although the term “budget” is widely used, it does not appear in the Indian Constitution. Instead, Article 112 (Part V) refers to it as the Annual Financial Statement, which the President of India presents before both Houses of Parliament.

The preparation of the Union Budget is managed by the Budget Division under the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance. This complex process involves consultations with the NITI Aayog and relevant ministries to ensure a comprehensive financial blueprint.

Language of the Union Budget

The Union Budget document is prepared in both English and Hindi, the two official languages of the Indian Union. However, this inclusivity was not always the norm. In newly independent India, the budget was printed only in English, following the colonial tradition.

The first Indian budget, presented during colonial rule in 1860, was prepared by James Wilson, a British MP. This budget, tailored to the British populace and the Indian elite, was exclusively in English, excluding the broader Indian audience.

The Turning Point: Hindi in the Union Budget

The shift toward inclusivity came in 1955 under the leadership of C.D. Deshmukh, India’s then Finance Minister. Recognizing the need to make the budget accessible to the Indian masses, Deshmukh decided to print the Union Budget in both English and Hindi. This significant step symbolized India’s break from colonial traditions and its commitment to connecting with its citizens.

C.D. Deshmukh: The Architect of Change

C.D. Deshmukh, a visionary leader, played a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic policies. Appointed as Finance Minister in 1950, he oversaw the implementation of the country’s first Five-Year Plan. Additionally, he served as the ex-officio chairman of the Planning Commission, which was later replaced by the NITI Aayog in 2015.

Deshmukh also left a lasting impact through his contributions to India’s economic research. He was instrumental in founding the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in New Delhi, India’s first independent economic policy institute, in 1956.

Deshmukh’s Role in the International Arena

Before his tenure as Finance Minister, Deshmukh served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 1930 to 1949. He represented India at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, where the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank were established, underscoring his global influence.

Legacy of the 1955 Budget Printing in Hindi

The decision to print the Union Budget in Hindi for the first time in 1955 reflected India’s commitment to making governance inclusive and participatory. It also set the stage for promoting linguistic diversity in official government communications.

By presenting the budget in Hindi alongside English, Deshmukh ensured that a broader section of the Indian population could engage with the country’s financial policies. This move also symbolized India’s growing emphasis on self-reliance and its rejection of colonial legacies.

Modern Budget Practices

Today, the Union Budget is not only printed in English and Hindi but also made available online for wider access. The Budget Speech, delivered by the Finance Minister, is a carefully crafted narrative that explains the government’s fiscal priorities and policy measures.