Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget 2026 on February 1. While the Budget is traditionally presented on the same date every year, this time February 1 falls on a Sunday, making the occasion rare. This will be the ninth consecutive budget to be presented by Sitharaman, as well as an interim budget.
This year’s Budget is widely considered a defining moment – a moment where the government will have to walk a hard line between maintaining fiscal prudence and providing the strategic fuel needed for growth, jobs and the global economy.
Read this also Union Budget 2026: Key expectations – from income tax to GST-style customs overhaul
budget 2026 date and time
The Union Budget 2026 will be presented before both Houses of Parliament by Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, February 1 at 11 am.
Read also| Union Budget 2026: How income tax slabs changed over the years
What are the key expectations from Budget 2026?
Here’s a look at the key budget expectations:
- With the new and simplified Income Tax Act, 2025, coming into force from April 1, 2026, the industry expects the Budget to outline transition provisions, rules and FAQs for better understanding.
- Increase in standard deduction to encourage individuals to shift from the old system to the new income tax regime.
- Rationalization of TDS categories into lower rates, slabs.
- Reducing customs duty into tax slabs and unlocking amnesty scheme ₹Rs 1.53 lakh crore stuck in disputes, procedural simplification to promote ease of doing business.
- Focus on reducing India’s debt-to-GDP ratio by FY27.
- Higher defense budget in view of rising geopolitical tensions.
- Outlay for Developed India – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) (VB-G RAM G) Scheme under which the cost will be shared between the Center and States in the ratio of 60:40.
- Provision of the 8th Pay Commission, which came into effect on January 1, 2026.
- Tax devolution to the states as per the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission.
- Incentives for MSMEs and tariff-sensitive sectors like gems and jewellery, apparel and leather.
- Funding for exploration and processing of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth magnets.
Will the stock market open on budget day?
Since the Budget is being presented on Sunday, the unusual timing has raised questions among investors whether stock markets will remain closed on that day.
Clearing the uncertainty, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have announced that the equity markets will be open for trading on Sunday, February 1.
“Due to the presentation of the Union Budget, members are requested to note that the Exchange will conduct a live trading session as per standard market time (9:15 am to 3:30 pm) on February 01, 2026,” NSE said in a circular.
According to a circular issued by NSE, the pre-open market will start at 9 am and end at 9.08 pm, and the normal market will operate between 9.15 am and 3.30 pm.
Where and how to watch Budget 2026 speech?
- People can watch live coverage of Union Budget 2026 on Hindustan Times.com website or official YouTube channel.
- People can also watch the government broadcasts live through Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha feeds available in multiple languages on the Sansad TV YouTube channel.
- State-owned Doordarshan (DD) channel will also telecast the budget session live on February 1.
- Additionally, the live feed will also be available on the official Union Budget website (indiabudget.gov.in) as well as on the official social media platforms of the Finance Ministry and Press Information Bureau (PIB).
