The government on Friday refuted claims circulating on social media platforms, alleging that a scanned copy of the Union Budget 2026–27 has been leaked, and clarified that the images were false and misleading.
The clarification was issued by the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit, which categorically stated that there has been no leak of the upcoming Union Budget and that the images being widely shared online are fake.
“Some images are being shared on social media claiming that a scanned copy of the Union Budget 2026–27 has been leaked on Telegram. These images are FAKE. Some of the images being circulated is NOT from the Union Budget 2026–27. It is from the Union Budget 2025–26, and the front page has been digitally edited to change the year. The other image being circulated is completely digitally created and does not belong to any Union Budget document,” it said.
PIB also warned not to believe or forward unverified images or claims related to the Union Budget as such misinformation could mislead the public and spread unnecessary panic.
https://x.com/pibfactcheck/status/2017253766685397313?s=46
According to PIB, one of the images circulating on social media is not related to the Union Budget 2026–27. It actually pertains to the Union Budget 2025–26, with the year on the cover page digitally altered to mislead viewers.
The second image being shared was also found to be completely fabricated, with PIB stating that it is a digitally created image that does not match any official Union Budget document in either format or content.
Urging the public to avoid misinformation, the government has advised citizens to rely only on verified and official sources for updates related to the Union Budget.
It warned that sharing unverified images or claims can confuse the public and create unnecessary panic.
Officials have once again reminded people to remain cautious while using social media and to refrain from forwarding messages without verifying their authenticity, especially on sensitive national matters such as the Union Budget.
India’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year on February 1, Sunday. This will be the ninth consecutive budget to be presented by Sitharaman, plus one interim budget.
The budget will outline the central government’s estimated receipts and expenditures, and feed into its long-term economic planning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP-led government has said its goal is to make India a developed nation by the year 2047, ‘Viksit Bharat’.
The budget comes at a time when India is one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world. However, the government faces several specific economic conditions.