The Union Budget 2026 is likely to be presented on Sunday, February 1, as the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has proposed that date while recommending January 28 as the starting day of Parliament’s Budget Session. Although the final approval is still pending, sources familiar with the development say the government is inclined to stick to February 1, continuing a financial tradition that has been followed for nearly a decade.
The Budget Session is the first and most significant parliamentary sitting of the year, beginning with the President’s address to a joint session of both Houses. This year’s budget will be especially important as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget for the 2026–27 financial year, a rare milestone in India’s political and economic history.
Since 2017, the Union Budget has been presented on February 1 after the government advanced the date by a month to give ministries more time to implement their spending plans before the start of the new fiscal year in April. The reform was aimed at improving financial discipline and speeding up policy execution. In 2026, however, the date falls on a Sunday, creating debate over whether the government should move the presentation to the following Monday.
Despite the weekend, officials believe there is no constitutional or procedural barrier to presenting the budget on a Sunday. People aware of the discussions say the government sees continuity in financial practice as more important than the traditional concept of avoiding weekend sittings, which dates back to the colonial era. Earlier reports also indicated that the Finance Minister is prepared to present the budget on February 1 regardless of the day it falls on.
During internal deliberations, the Cabinet Committee considered January 28 and January 31 as possible dates to begin the Budget Session, with January 28 emerging as the preferred option. The session usually starts in the final week of January, followed by a brief recess after the budget presentation to allow parliamentary committees to examine the proposed spending plans of various ministries.
Apart from the budget, the session is expected to witness several important legislative discussions and bills, making it a crucial period for the government’s economic and political agenda. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has confirmed that the exact dates will be decided by the Cabinet Committee at the appropriate time, signaling that an official announcement is expected soon.
If February 1 is finalized, India will see a rare Sunday budget, reinforcing the government’s commitment to procedural consistency and financial planning timelines. The upcoming budget is expected to play a vital role in shaping economic policy, infrastructure spending, and fiscal priorities as the country moves deeper into the decade.