India is all geared up for Union Budget 2026, today, as for the second time in India’s history the Budget would be presented on a Sunday.
This year’s presentation of the Budget on February 1, would add another milestone to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s tenure, as she would become the country’s first finance minister to present nine Union Budgets consecutively. Also, she would become India’s second finance minister to present the Budget on a Sunday.
Prior to Sitharaman, Yashwant Sinha had presented the financial document on February 28, 1999, which was a Sunday.
Budget Speech timing
The Union Budget 2026 will be presented in Parliament’s Central Hall, with the live telecast of the Budget speech beginning sharply at 11 am. The proceedings will air live on Sansad TV and Doordarshan’s DD National channel. Several news channels will also broadcast the speech live on television and their YouTube channels.
Viewers are advised to tune in early to avoid missing the opening remarks and to keep checking the official website of Financial Express for important updates.
Budget on February 1 since 2017
Since 2017, the Union Budget has been presented by the BJP-led NDA government on February 1. Parliamentary sessions typically don’t take place over the weekends unless some extraordinary events arise.
Also, Budget 2026 wouldn’t mark the first time in India’s history that the financial statement is being presented over a weekend. The country’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the Budget twice on Saturdays—first on February 1, 2020, just ahead of the Covid-19 lockdown, and the second just last year on February 1, 2025.
Markets to operate as per their usual timings
On account of Budget 2026, stock exchanges—NSE and BSE—and commodity markets—MCX and NCDEX—would also be open for trading on Sunday. Generally, the markets are closed on weekends.
Markets would continue to function as per their normal timings, as some big announcements are expected relating to simpler tax rules, simplifications in the GST structure, and a policy push towards AI-led innovation.
The stock exchanges and commodity markets are hence open so that investors can react to the effects of these announcements in real time.
What to look out for?
The India–US trade deal, which is yet to be finalised, would be the centre of attraction, as currently most Indian goods to the US face 50% import duties. The India–EU FTA would be watched as the Indian government plans on slashing tariffs on European wine and passenger vehicles.
The government may also announce a policy push towards precious metals like gold and silver, which have been subject to price fluctuations. Further, a boost would be given towards the “Make in India” movement to encourage domestic manufacturing. But these are all just expectations; Sitharaman will announce tomorrow what actually are the financial plans for this year.