The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Friday dismissed claims that the Union Budget 2026-27 had been leaked, calling the documents circulating widely on social media platforms “fake” and digitally manipulated. The clarification comes amid a surge of unverified posts on Telegram and X, triggering confusion just days before Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Budget in Parliament.
In an official statement shared on X, PIB Fact Check said that multiple images being circulated as scanned copies of the upcoming Union Budget were not authentic. “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,” PIB stated.
The government further clarified that one of the viral images actually belongs to the Union Budget 2025-26 and has been digitally altered to misrepresent the year. The front page, PIB said, was edited to falsely indicate it as a document from the 2026-27 Budget.
Another image doing the rounds was described as entirely fabricated, with PIB asserting that it does not belong to any official Union Budget document in circulation or record.
Cautioning citizens against falling prey to misinformation, PIB urged users to refrain from sharing unverified claims related to sensitive national matters like the Union Budget. “Do not believe or forward unverified images or claims related to the Union Budget. Such misinformation can mislead the public and spread unnecessary panic,” the agency warned.
The clarification assumes significance as the Union Budget is traditionally kept under tight security until it is formally presented in Parliament. Any suggestion of a leak not only raises public anxiety but also questions institutional credibility, making swift fact-checking crucial in the digital age.
The Union Budget 2026–27 is scheduled to be presented on February 1, with expectations high on reforms, fiscal discipline, and next-generation growth initiatives.
