Union Budget 2026 Date: Feb 1 Sunday or Feb 2 Monday?

Union Budget 2026 Date: Sunday, Feb 1 or Monday, Feb 2?

As of January 7, 2026, the official date for the Union Budget presentation remains the subject of a high-level meeting by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) scheduled for today. While traditionally presented on February 1, the 2026 calendar has sparked debate because the date falls on a Sunday.

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1. Why the Confusion?

The uncertainty stems from a clash between long-standing tradition and the weekend calendar.

• The Sunday Dilemma: February 1, 2026, is a Sunday. Additionally, it is Guru Ravidas Jayanti, a restricted holiday.

• Market & Bank Holidays: Stock markets and government offices are typically closed on Sundays, leading to speculation that the budget might shift to Monday, February 2.

• The Tradition Argument: Since 2017, the government has institutionalized the February 1 date to ensure all proposals are cleared before the new financial year begins on April 1.

2. Likely Schedule for Budget Session 2026

According to government sources and historical precedents, the following timeline is being considered:

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3. Will the Stock Market Open on a Sunday?

If the government sticks to the February 1 tradition:

• Special Trading Session: Stock exchanges (NSE and BSE) are expected to conduct a special live trading session on Sunday, February 1.

• Precedent: In 2025, the interim budget was presented on a Saturday, and markets remained open for a full trading day.

4. Historical Context: The 2017 Shift

Before 2017, the Union Budget was presented on the last working day of February. The shift to February 1 was spearheaded by the late Arun Jaitley to:

1. Eliminate “Vote on Account”: Allowing the government to bypass the need for temporary funding for the first quarter.

2. Early Implementation: Giving departments two full months to prepare for April 1 rollouts.

3. Modernization: This year marks Nirmala Sitharaman’s 9th consecutive budget, making her one of the longest-serving Finance Ministers in Indian history.

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