The round of pre-Budget consultations — discussions over what should find place in the upcoming Union Budget — has already begun. But this time, one big question looms large: Will the Finance Minister present the Union Budget on February 1, or not?
Until 2017, the Union Budget used to be presented on the last day of February. However, during Arun Jaitley’s tenure as Finance Minister, the date was revised— and since then, the Budget has been presented every year on February 1. Going by that practice, the Union Budget 2026 should also be tabled on February 1. But this year, there are two complications.
The first and biggest issue is that February 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday. All government offices, including Parliament where the Budget is presented, remain closed on Sundays. So, will the government still go ahead with the presentation on Sunday, February 1? Or will it postpone it to the next day, February 2?
Suppose the government decides to stick with February 1. There’s another factor to consider — Guru Ravidas Jayanti also falls on the same day. However, as per the Central Government’s official notification (F.No.12/2/2023-JCA), February 1, 2026, is a restricted holiday, meaning government offices will remain open.
So, the only real hurdle now is the Sunday factor. There has been no official word yet on whether the Budget will indeed be presented that day.
Usually, the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) decides the Budget Session schedule, including the dates for the Economic Survey and the Budget presentation. The CCPA generally meets around four to five weeks before the session begins. This means a formal announcement can be expected in the first week of January, when the government will reveal the complete schedule.
Given the uncertainty this time, either the Finance Ministry or the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs may soon clarify whether the Budget will be presented on February 1 or whether the date will be adjusted.
Interestingly, this is not the first time the Budget date has coincided with a weekend. In the past too, when such situations arose, the date was rarely changed. For instance, when February 28, 2015, fell on a Saturday, then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Budget that very day. In 2016 too, he presented it on Saturday, February 27. Earlier instances include March 3, 2001 (Saturday) and February 28, 2004 (Saturday).
There have even been occasions when the Budget was presented on a Sunday. On February 28, 1999 — a Sunday — then Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha presented the Budget. That year was notable for another reason: it marked the first time the Budget presentation was held at 11 a.m., instead of the traditional 5 p.m.
Following usual convention, the Economic Survey is presented a day before the Budget. So, if the same practice continues, the Economic Survey could be tabled on Saturday, January 31, and the Budget could be presented on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
As of now, however, no final decision has been made, and no official announcement has come from the government.
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