Budget 2026: Date, time & key details you need to know

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman holding the Budget Papers watched by MoS for Finance and Finance Ministry officials at the North Block, in New Delhi (file photo)
| Photo Credit:
KAMAL NARANG

When and Where?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget for 2026-27 on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11 AM in the Lok Sabha, Parliament House, New Delhi. This will be the first Union Budget presented on a Sunday since India’s Independence.

Why on a Sunday?

Since 2017, the Union Budget has been fixed for February 1 to provide more time for parliamentary discussions and smoother implementation before the new fiscal year starts on April 1. This year February 1 falls on a Sunday, and the government has chosen not to shift the date, sticking firmly to the established timeline.

Will stock markets be open on Feb 1?

Yes. Despite it being a Sunday, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will hold special live trading sessions on February 1, allowing investors to react in real-time to budget announcements. This follows precedent: markets were open on Saturday, February 1, 2020, when the budget was presented that day.

What is the duration of the Budget session?

The Budget Session of Parliament will run from January 28 to April 2, 2026, with a recess from February 14 to March 8. The second phase will resume on March 9 and continue until April 2.

What is the Halwa ceremony?

The Halwa ceremony is a longstanding pre-Budget ritual held in the basement of North Black (Finance Ministry). It signals the finalisation of Budget after which no major changes are made unless it is extremely important. It usually is conducted 9-10 days before the Budget is presented. This also marks the beginning of the lock-in period where the officials involved in the Budget preparation are isolated in the premises and are not allowed to meet or communicate with the outsiders.

Published on January 20, 2026