First time in history, Union Budget 2021 to be paperless Union Budget 2021: The decision has been taken as several people (approximately 100) would be required to stay at the printing press for around a fortnight amid the COVID-19 fear BusinessToday.In | January 13, 2021 | Updated 11:04 IST Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman holding the federal budget 2020 with Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur and others Union Budget 2021, slated to be presented on February 1, is going to be completely paperless in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This will be the first time since independence that the budget papers will not be printed. The Centre has received permission for the same from both houses of parliament.