Union Budget 2026: Date, Time, and Historic Significance of Nirmala Sitharaman's Presentation
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament on February 1, 2026, with her address scheduled to begin at 11:00 am. This budget will outline the government's fiscal roadmap for the 2026–27 financial year and will be delivered during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.
Historic Milestones in Budget 2026 Presentation
The Union Budget 2026 will mark a significant achievement for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as it will be her ninth consecutive budget presentation. This milestone makes her the first finance minister in India to achieve such a feat, surpassing previous records.
Adding to the historic nature of this event, February 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday, making this the first time a Union Budget will be presented on a Sunday. This breaks from past conventions where budget presentations were adjusted to avoid weekends.
Evolution of Budget Presentation Traditions in India
The timing and date of budget presentations have undergone several reforms over the decades:
- Colonial-era practice: Until 1999, budgets were presented at 5 pm, aligning with British working hours.
- Yashwant Sinha's reforms: In 1999, then Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha shifted the presentation to 11 am, a practice that continues today. He also adjusted the date when February 28 fell on a Sunday in 1999, presenting the budget a day earlier on Saturday, February 27.
- Arun Jaitley's change: In 2017, former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley advanced the budget presentation to February 1 from the end of the month, allowing ministries more implementation time before the new financial year begins on April 1.
Nirmala Sitharaman has previously presented budgets on Saturdays, including on February 1, 2020, just before the Covid-19 lockdown, and again on February 1, 2025.
Where to Watch Union Budget 2026 Live
Viewers can follow the Union Budget 2026 presentation through multiple official and media platforms:
- Sansad TV: Will broadcast the budget presentation live from Parliament.
- The Times of India website: Will provide real-time updates, key announcements, and detailed coverage.
- Official government digital platforms: Including PIB (Press Information Bureau) and related parliamentary streams.
Full budget documents, along with explanatory statements and annexures, will be made available online shortly after the speech concludes.
Parliament Budget Session 2026 Details
The Budget Session of Parliament commenced with President Droupadi Murmu addressing members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 28, 2026. The session is structured in two phases:
- First phase: January 28 to February 13, 2026
- Second phase: March 9 to April 2, 2026
The entire session comprises 30 sittings, with the budget presentation being a key highlight. The Union Budget serves as a crucial annual policy statement, detailing government spending, taxation proposals, and fiscal strategy for the upcoming year. The 2026 presentation will be closely monitored across various sectors, financial markets, and households for its economic implications and policy directions.
