Union Budget 2026 Speech Timings: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament on February 1, today. This will be a historic moment, as it will be her ninth Budget in a row, making her the first finance minister in India to achieve this feat. She will also be the first finance minister to present a Union Budget on a Sunday, adding to the significance of the day.
In the past, when February 28 fell on a Sunday in 1999, then finance minister Yashwant Sinha presented the Budget a day earlier, on February 27. Nirmala Sitharaman, however, has presented Budgets on Saturdays before – on February 1, 2020, just before the Covid-19 lockdown, and again on February 1, 2025.
Union Budget 2026: Date and time
Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha on February 1. During her speech, she will outline the government’s financial plans and priorities for the 2026–27 financial year. The Budget speech is scheduled for Sunday, February 1 and the Finance Minister is expected to begin her address sharp at 11:00 am.
The Union Budget is usually presented on February 1 so that ministries and departments get enough time to put the announced proposals into action from the start of the new financial year on April 1.
Budget 2026: Where to watch FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech live
The Budget presentation will take place in Parliament’s Central Hall and will be broadcast live across the country. Even though February 1 falls on a Sunday this year, the speech will start on time at 11 am. Viewers are advised to tune in a little early so they don’t miss the opening remarks.
The Union Budget 2026 speech will be telecast live on Sansad TV and Doordarshan’s DD National channel. Several national news channels will also carry live coverage, along with expert opinions and instant analysis after the key announcements.