Budget Press to be housed in Kartavya Bhawan 9 as Central Vista revamp progresses
The Delhi Urban Art Commission approved a revised Central Vista plan placing the Budget Press on the ground floor of Kartavya Bhawan 9. The government intends to shift the printing facility for the Union Budget to the under-construction building, with KB 1 currently in use and KB 9 slated for comple
Key takeaways
- The Budget Press is planned to be housed on the ground floor of Kartavya Bhawan 9 as part of the Central Vista plan.
- The Finance Ministry previously moved to KB 1, with machinery constraints prompting a tender for lighter printers in 2025.
- North Block’s Budget Press was dismantled during renovation, and a new site at KB 9 could host the press once completed.
What Happened
The Delhi Urban Art Commission, in its meeting on July 16, approved a revised plan by the CPWD architect that includes the Budget Press on the ground floor of Kartavya Bhawan 9, according to the minutes of the meeting. As part of the Central Vista redevelopment, the government intends to establish the Budget Press—the secure facility that prints the annual Union Budget—within the under-construction Kartavya Bhawan 9, where the Finance Ministry is expected to relocate on completion.
The planning shift follows a history of space and infrastructure challenges. After the Finance Ministry moved out of North Block into Kartavya Bhawan 1 last year, the existing machinery could not be shifted due to space and weight constraints. A tender for lighter printing machines was floated on September 2, 2025, to fit the space available at KB 1. Despite trials of a new press in time for the Union Budget 2026-2027 in February, printing was carried out in North Block under security measures, with officers locked in from start to the Budget presentation in Parliament.
Officials now say the Budget Press at North Block has been dismantled as that building is being renovated into a museum, and the press at KB 1 has been installed. The Finance Ministry contemplates moving into KB 9, which is under construction on Maulana Azad Road, once space is allotted after completion. The Central Public Works Department has designed KB 9 to house the Budget Press, aligning with the central redevelopment plan.
The Budget Press has a notable historical echo: the leakage of the 1956-1957 Budget from a Rashtrapati Bhawan printing press prompted officials to locate the Budget Press within its own premises at North Block. Court records show the former Rashtrapati Bhawan foreman revealed details to a Delhi resident who sold them onward, under an Official Secrets Act case.
Why It Matters
Placing the Budget Press in Kartavya Bhawan 9 ties the printing facility to the ongoing Central Vista redevelopment, potentially aligning security, logistics, and consolidation of government printing operations under one development project. If KB 9 becomes the Budget Press site, it would mark a transition from North Block to a new, purpose-built venue within the redesigned complex, subject to completion timelines and space allotment.
Background
The Budget Press historically faced security and space constraints—most recently after the Finance Ministry relocated from North Block to KB 1. A tender for lighter machinery was issued in 2025 to adapt to the new footprint. Printing for the 2026-2027 Budget occurred under security at North Block before the current plan to relocate to KB 9 takes effect. The historical context of Budget printing security dates back to the 1950s leak incident at Rashtrapati Bhavan, which influenced subsequent placement decisions for the Budget Press.
Key Facts
- The Delhi Urban Art Commission approved a revised plan on July 16 placing the Budget Press on the ground floor of Kartavya Bhawan 9.
- The Budget Press is intended for printing the Union Budget and the Economic Survey, within Kartavya Bhawan 9.
- Finance Ministry moved from North Block to KB 1 last year; space/weight constraints prevented shifting the existing machinery there.
- A tender for new, lighter printing machines was floated on September 2, 2025.
- The Budget for 2026-2027 was still being printed under security at North Block, with the process tied to ongoing trials of the new press.
- North Block’s Budget Press was dismantled as the building is being renovated into a museum; KB 1 press is in use; KB 9 is under construction for potential future use.
- KB 9 is designed by the CPWD to house the Budget Press and is located on Maulana Azad Road.
- The 1956-1957 Budget leak from Rashtrapati Bhawan’s press prompted an Official Secrets Act case and influenced the decision to house printing within government premises.
What Happens Next
Space allotment for KB 9 will occur upon completion of the building. If completed and allocated, the Finance Ministry could relocate the Budget Press to KB 9, aligning with the ongoing Central Vista redevelopment timeline.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
