Speculation is growing nationwide over the presentation date of the Union Budget 2026–27, as February 1 next year falls on a Sunday. Traditionally, the Finance Minister presents the Union Budget at 11 a.m. on February 1. However, the unusual calendar situation has triggered debate on whether the government will stick to the date or make a rare adjustment.
February 1, 2026, coincides with a Sunday, a holiday for government offices and the stock markets. The day also marks Sant Ravidas Jayanti, adding to the significance. This has raised questions on whether Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget on a holiday or shift it to a working day.
Sunday Budget a Rare Possibility
While India has witnessed Union Budgets presented on Saturdays in the past, a Sunday presentation remains extremely rare. In 2025, February 1 fell on a Saturday, and the government went ahead with the Budget as scheduled. Similarly, Budgets were presented on Saturdays in 2015, 2016, and 2021 without any delay.
However, presenting the Budget on a Sunday poses challenges, especially for the stock markets, which remain closed. Since Budget announcements have an immediate impact on market sentiment, experts believe a working day would be more practical.
January 31 or February 2?
This has led to two likely alternatives — presenting the Budget a day earlier on January 31 (Saturday) or postponing it by a day to February 2 (Monday). Market analysts and economists largely expect the government to opt for February 2, as it allows investors and markets to react immediately to policy announcements.
Decision Awaited
The final call will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. Until then, uncertainty continues over when “Nirmalamma’s budget calculations” will be unveiled.
A Look at Budget History
Before 2017, India traditionally presented the Union Budget on the last working day of February. Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley changed this practice and advanced the date to February 1 to ensure timely implementation before the new financial year begins on April 1.
Since then, the government has not hesitated to present the Budget on Saturdays. Sundays, however, remain a grey area.
For now, the nation will have to wait a little longer to know whether the Centre will follow tradition, market logic, or sentiment when it comes to unveiling the Union Budget 2026.
