Union Budget 2026 Date, Time, Live Streaming & Key Details Explained

Union Budget 2026 is shaping up to be far more than a routine financial announcement. This year’s Union Budget stands out for multiple historic reasons. It will be Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s 9th consecutive budget, the second full Union Budget of the Modi 3.0 government, and, most notably, the first time in India’s history that the Union Budget will be presented on a Sunday.

If you’re curious about when the budget session begins, how the stock markets will operate, and where you can watch the Union Budget 2026 LIVE, here’s a clean, simple, and complete breakdown—no jargon, no confusion.

The Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 will be presented on:

• Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026

• Time: 11:00 AM IST

• Venue: Parliament of India

This will mark the first-ever Sunday presentation of the Union Budget, although the timing remains unchanged. As per tradition, the Finance Minister will rise at 11 AM in the Lok Sabha to deliver the budget speech.

The address will be followed closely by policymakers, investors, economists, businesses, and citizens, as every announcement has the potential to influence markets, policy direction, and household finances.

Budget Session 2026: Start And End Dates

The Budget Session of Parliament 2026 is scheduled to run from January 28, 2026, to April 2, 2026. This parliamentary session is especially important because it includes:

• Presentation of the Union Budget 2026

• Detailed discussions on expenditure and taxation

• Passage of the Finance Bill and other key financial legislation

As per parliamentary tradition, the session will be held in two phases:

• First Phase: January 28 to February 13, 2026

• Second Phase: March 9 to April 2, 2026

On the opening day, the President of India will address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, outlining the government’s policy priorities and long-term vision. This address effectively sets the tone for the entire budget discussion—think of it as the opening act before the main financial performance.

Why February 1 Became The ‘Budget Day’

Many people still ask: Why is the Union Budget always presented on February 1?

Union Budget 2026, The shift dates back to 2017, when the late Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved the budget presentation from the traditional end-of-February timeline to February 1.

The logic was straightforward but powerful:

• Allow ministries and departments more time to roll out schemes

• Enable spending plans to kick in from April 1, the start of the new financial year

Since then, February 1 has become the standard Budget Day, regardless of whether it falls on a weekday or weekend. Over the years, budgets have been presented on weekdays and even Saturdays. In 2026, this evolution leads to a historic first—a Sunday Union Budget.

Will The Stock Market Remain Open On Budget Day 2026?

For investors and traders, this is one of the most frequently asked questions.

The answer for Budget 2026 is a clear YES.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE), through a circular issue on January 16, 2026, confirm that live trading sessions will be conduct as per normal market timings, even though February 1 falls on a Sunday.

What this means in practical terms:

• Equity trading will continue normally

• No market holiday due to the budget

• Investors can react instantly to budget announcements

In simple words, while Parliament shifts into special Sunday mode, Dalal Street will function like any regular trading day, just with higher volatility, sharper reactions, and intense market activity.

Where And How To Watch Budget 2026 LIVE

You’ll have multiple options to follow the Union Budget 2026 LIVE, both on television and online:

Television Coverage

• Doordarshan (DD National / DD News): Official live telecast of the budget speech

• Sansad TV: In-depth coverage directly from Parliament, including expert panels

News & Business Channels

• All major news and business networks will air the speech live along with real-time analysis

Online Streaming Options

• Official YouTube channels of Doordarshan and Sansad TV

• Leading news websites and mobile apps offering live streams and live blogs

Whether you’re at home, at work, or commuting, you’ll be able to track every major announcement on your screen.

What Exactly Is The Union Budget?

Stripping away the technical language, the Union Budget is the Government of India’s annual financial roadmap.

It clearly lays out:

• Expected income (receipts) for the upcoming financial year

• Planned expenditure across ministries, sectors, and schemes

Constitutionally, the budget is present under Article 112 of the Constitution of India, which requires the government to place an Annual Financial Statement before both Houses of Parliament.

Simply put, it’s the country’s yearly money plan, detailing where funds will come from and where they will be spent.

What Does The Budget Typically Contain?

The Union Budget goes far beyond just numbers. It usually includes:

Tax proposals

• Changes in income tax slabs

• Corporate tax updates

• Customs duties and indirect tax tweaks

Expenditure priorities

• Allocations for infrastructure, defence, healthcare, education, agriculture, and welfare schemes

Policy reforms

• New schemes, structural reforms, and initiatives targeting growth, jobs, startups, manufacturing, and digital expansion

Fiscal outlook

• Fiscal deficit targets

• Borrowing plans

• Strategies for managing public finances

Every announcement sends a signal—to markets, global investors, rating agencies, businesses, and households alike.

Why Budget 2026 Matters More Than Usual

Budget 2026 carries extra weight for several important reasons:

9th Consecutive Budget By Nirmala Sitharaman
This milestone places her among India’s most continuously serving Finance Ministers, adding policy continuity and predictability.

Second Full Budget Of Modi Government 3.0
After the 2025 full budget, Budget 2026 is where deeper reforms, course corrections, and long-term economic shaping often begin.

First-Ever Sunday Budget
The Sunday presentation highlights that February 1 is now fixe as Budget Day, regardless of the calendar.

Together, these factors make Budget 2026 a key moment for economic direction, reform momentum, and fiscal discipline.

What Should Investors And Citizens Watch Out For?

While details will be reveal only on February 1, people usually focus on:

Taxpayers

• Any changes in personal income tax slabs, deductions, or exemptions

Businesses and markets

• Corporate tax policy, sector incentives, and startup-related measures

Households

• Subsidies, welfare schemes, healthcare spending, and rural support

The economy

• Capital expenditure, infrastructure push, and fiscal deficit management

Think of the budget as a high-stakes roadmap—small policy turns can shape the entire economic journey for the year.

How The Budget Process Unfolds In Parliament

The 11 AM budget speech is only the beginning. The full process includes:

1. The Finance Minister delivers the Budget Speech

2. Key documents like the Finance Bill and Demand for Grants are table

3. Parliament debates, examines, and votes on proposals

4. Bills must be pass before April 1, the start of the new financial year

So while February 1 grabs headlines, the real legislative work continues throughout the Budget Session.

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Conclusion

Union Budget 2026 is set to be a defining moment in India’s fiscal calendar. It will be:

• The first Union Budget presented on a Sunday

• The 9th straight budget by Nirmala Sitharaman

• A crucial financial blueprint for Modi Government 3.0

With Parliament in session from January 28 to April 2, 2026, and stock markets remaining open on Budget Sunday, all eyes will be on February 1 at 11 AM.

Whether you’re an investor, professional, entrepreneur, or everyday citizen, the decisions announced in that single speech will influence markets, policies, and personal finances for the year ahead.

So mark your calendar, tune in to Doordarshan or Sansad TV, or stream it online. The ripple effects of Budget 2026 will be felt long after the speech ends.