Indian stock exchanges BSE and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday announced that markets will remain open for trading on Sunday, February 1, to coincide with the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27. 

In separate circulars, the exchanges said trading on Budget Day will follow standard market timings. “On account of the presentation of the Union Budget, members are requested to note that the Exchange shall be conducting a live trading session on February 01, 2026, as per the standard market timings (9:15 am to 3:30 pm),” NSE said. 

The announcement comes ahead of the Union Budget presentation scheduled for 11 AM on February 1, which has been confirmed by the Lok Sabha Speaker. February 1 has become the standard date for the annual Budget exercise in recent years, with the Union Budget for 2025 also presented on the same date. 

Key milestone for Nirmala Sitharaman

The 2026 Budget will be a key milestone for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as it will mark her ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation. This places her among the finance ministers with the longest uninterrupted Budget tenures in India’s parliamentary history. 

Economic Survey

As per tradition, the Budget presentation will be preceded by the release of the Economic Survey, which provides an overview of the state of the economy and key challenges. The Survey will be followed by a press briefing addressed by Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran along with senior officials from the finance ministry. 

This will be the first instance since 2017 that the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday, after February 1 was fixed as the Budget date. The day also coincides with Guru Ravidas’ birth anniversary, which is observed as a government holiday in several states in memory of the 15th-century saint and social reformer. 

Markets have previously remained open on non-working days for Budget announcements, including Saturday, February 1, 2025, February 1, 2020, and February 28, 2015, underscoring the importance of uninterrupted market access on Budget day. 

The Budget is prepared through an extensive process led by the Department of Economic Affairs in the finance ministry. The annual document outlines the government’s estimated receipts and expenditures, offering a snapshot of the state of public finances. It also details proposed policy measures, new schemes and key priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.