This year, the Union Budget will be announced on February 1, 2026, which falls on a Sunday. This will mark the first time since 2000 that India’s top financial
plan is presented on a Sunday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Budget, coinciding with India’s 80th since Independence.
The Budget Session of Parliament is slated to begin on January 28, 2026, featuring the President’s customary address to both Houses. Since 2017, Budgets have been scheduled for February 1 at 11 am, a shift introduced by Arun Jaitley to facilitate faster implementation of proposals from the start of the financial year.
Why February 1 Became The Budget Day
Before 2017, the Union Budget was traditionally presented on February 28. According to SR Patnaik, Partner (head - taxation), Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, the move to February 1 allows Parliament to approve a single Appropriation Bill before March 31, removing the need for a Vote on Account, states a report from The Economic Times.
Patnaik explains, "This removed the need for ministries and departments to obtain expenditure approvals before the commencement of the financial year and allows them to operationalise all the schemes and projects from the commencement of the next financial year on April 1."
This adjustment ensures smoother execution of government programs and gives departments immediate access to funds at the start of the fiscal year.
Weekend Budgets: Rare But Not Unprecedented
While Sunday presentations are uncommon, weekend Budgets have occurred before. For instance, Budget 2025 and Budget 2015 were presented on Saturdays. A notable historical example is the 1999-2000 Budget, presented on February 27, 1999, by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha.
Dr Sachin Sharma, Managing Partner, KSV Tax Consultants, notes in the report, "There are no constitutional or procedural barriers preventing the Budget from being presented on a weekend. The primary consideration is the Parliamentary calendar, which allows for exceptional sessions on Saturdays or Sundays for crucial business, including the Budget."
Implications For Investors And Markets
Since February 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday and coincides with Guru Ravidas Jayanti, both government offices and stock markets will be closed. This timing gives investors and stakeholders an opportunity to review the proposals before markets reopen on Monday.
Sharma added in the report that weekend presentations help maintain February 1 discipline, ensuring Parliament has enough time to debate, examine Demands for Grants, and approve the Finance Bill without compressing legislative schedules. "Overall, while minor logistical adjustments are needed, a Sunday Budget supports better planning, smoother policy implementation, and clearer communication to markets, businesses, and the public," he says.
