Stock market to remain open on Sunday February 1, 2026, for Union Budget

February 1 has become the standard date for the annual Budget exercise in recent years, with the 2025 Budget also presented on the same date. Ahead of the Budget, the Ministry of Finance released the Economic Survey on January 29, followed by a press briefing by Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran and other senior officials. The Department of Economic Affairs leads the preparation of the Budget documents, which provide a detailed overview of the government’s finances, including estimated expenditures, revenues, and new schemes planned for the upcoming fiscal year. Historically, markets have opened for Budget announcements even when the date falls on a weekend.

Earlier this month, BSE and NSE confirmed that stock markets will remain open for trading on February 1, despite the day falling on a Sunday, ahead of the Union Budget presentation.

In a circular, the NSE, on January 16, had stated, "On account of the presentation of the Union Budget, members are requested to note that Exchange shall be conducting live trading session on February 01, 2026, as per the standard market timings (9:15 am-3:30 pm)."

The Union Budget 2026 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at 11 am in the Lok Sabha. This will mark her ninth consecutive Budget presentation, one of the longest uninterrupted tenures by a finance minister.

February 1 has become the standard date for the annual Budget exercise in recent years, with the 2025 Budget also presented on the same date.

Ahead of the Budget, the Ministry of Finance released the Economic Survey on January 29, followed by a press briefing by Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran and other senior officials. The Department of Economic Affairs leads the preparation of the Budget documents, which provide a detailed overview of the government’s finances, including estimated expenditures, revenues, and new schemes planned for the upcoming fiscal year.

Historically, markets have opened for Budget announcements even when the date falls on a weekend. Notable precedents include February 1 in 2025 and 2020, as well as February 28, 2015.

With the Budget set to shape fiscal policy and financial markets, trading on February 1 will follow standard timings, offering investors a live window into the government’s plans for the new fiscal year.