What is the story about?
As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget for 2026-27 in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, many investors are wondering
whether the stock market will function on the day or can heave a sigh of relief. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday officially confirmed that normal trading will take place. In a circular issued on January 16, 2026, the NSE informed all trading members that live trading sessions will be conducted on Budget Day as per the regular market timings, despite it being a Sunday.
Normal trading to continue on Budget Sunday
“On account of the presentation of the Union Budget, members are requested to note that the Exchange shall be conducting live trading sessions on February 1, 2026, as per the standard market timings,” the NSE said in its official communication. This means equity markets will function just like any other trading day, allowing investors to react in real time to announcements made by the Finance Minister.
What are the timings for trading on February 1?
According to the circular, the trading schedule on Budget Day will be as follows:
- Pre-Open Session: 9 am to 9:08 am
- Normal Market Trading: 9:15 am to 3:30 pm
The NSE also clarified timings for other market sessions:
- Block Deal Session – 1: 8:45 am to 9 am
- Special Pre-Open Session (for IPO and relisted securities): 9 am to 9:45 am
- Call Auction Illiquid Session: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
- Block Deal Session – 2: 2:05 pm to 2:20 pm
- Post Closing Session: 3:40 pm to 4 pm
- Trade Modification Cut-off: 4:15 pm
These timings are identical to a normal weekday trading schedule.
Why markets remain open on Budget Day
Traditionally, Indian stock markets remain open on the day of the Union Budget, even if it falls on a weekend or public holiday. This practice allows investors and traders to immediately respond to key policy announcements, tax proposals, and economic measures that can have a major impact on market sentiment.
FM to present Union Budget on February 1
Earlier this week, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that FM Sitharaman will present the Union Budget in Parliament on Sunday, February 1. This will be Sitharaman’s ninth budget presentation, just one short of the record 10 budgets presented by former Finance Minister Morarji Desai.
The Budget session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on January 28, with President Droupadi Murmu addressing members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the Lok Sabha chamber. According to the provisional calendar issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the House will also meet on January 29, ahead of the General Budget presentation on February 1.
Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had confirmed that the Budget session will continue till April 2, with the first part concluding on February 13 and reconvening on March 9 to allow parliamentary committees time to scrutinise Budget proposals.
