The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will remain open for regular trading on Sunday, February 1, to coincide with the presentation of the Union Budget 2026.
Earlier this month, both exchanges announced that equity markets will function as usual on Budget day. In a circular dated January 16, the NSE stated that a live trading session will be conducted on February 1, 2026, following standard market hours from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha at 11 am. This will be her ninth consecutive Budget, making her one of the longest-serving finance ministers in terms of uninterrupted tenure.
February 1 has become the fixed date for the Union Budget in recent years, with the 2025 Budget also presented on the same day.
Ahead of the Budget, the Finance Ministry released the Economic Survey on January 29, followed by a media briefing by Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran and senior officials. The Budget documents, prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs, outline the government’s revenue estimates, spending plans and proposed schemes for the upcoming financial year.
Stock markets have previously remained open on weekends for Budget presentations, including February 1 in 2025 and 2020, and February 28, 2015. With the Budget expected to influence market sentiment and fiscal policy, investors will be able to react in real time during regular trading hours on February 1.
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