Union Budget 2026: Is MCX open on February 1 or closed? Here’s the final answer

Union Budget 2026: India’s commodity markets will trade on a Sunday for the Union Budget 2026. This will be the first time since its launch in 2003 that the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) opens on a Sunday, marking a break from a 23-year-old practice.

Why this Budget Sunday is different

The Union Budget 2026 will be presented on a Sunday. This makes it only the second time in history that the Budget is being tabled on a weekend. But this year, the impact goes beyond Parliament.

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For the first time ever, commodity exchanges will also operate on a Sunday to align trading with Budget announcements.

MCX to open on Sunday for the first time

MCX has announced a special trading schedule for Budget day. This will be the exchange’s first Sunday trading session since it began operations in 2003.

In a regulatory filing, MCX said it will conduct a special live trading session from 8:45 am to 8:59 am (IST) to coincide with the Budget presentation.

The regular trading session will then run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (IST).
The client code modification window will remain open from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm (IST).

NCDEX trading schedule on Budget day

The National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) will also remain open on Sunday.

• Pre-open session: 9:45 am
• Live trading session: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (IST)
• Client code modification window: 10:00 am to 5:15 pm (IST)

Both exchanges are usually closed on weekends.

Will NSE and BSE be open?

Yes. Stock exchanges NSE and BSE will also operate on Budget day.

This is not unprecedented. Last year, the Union Budget was presented on February 1, 2025, which fell on a Saturday. Markets functioned normally despite it being a weekend.

Earlier, NSE and BSE had opened on a Sunday as well. On February 28, 1999, markets were open for the Union Budget 1999–2000 presented by then finance minister Yashwant Sinha.

Why markets open during the Budget

The Budget includes major policy announcements. These often affect sectors like metals, real estate, energy, and agriculture.

Keeping markets open allows traders and investors to respond to policy signals in real time. It also helps in quicker price discovery after key announcements.

Settlement holiday on February 1

Despite trading on Sunday, February 1 will remain a settlement holiday.

Trades done on January 30, 2026, will be settled on February 2, 2026.

Stocks bought on January 30 cannot be sold on Sunday.

Withdrawal requests will also be processed on February 2.

What this means for you

If you trade commodities or equities, markets will be open on Budget Sunday. But settlement and fund movement will be delayed by a day. Plan trades and liquidity needs accordingly.

FAQs related to the article

Q1 Is MCX open on Budget day, February 1?

Yes. MCX will remain open on February 1, 2026, even though it is a Sunday. The exchange has announced a special trading session for Budget day.

Q2 What are MCX trading timings on Budget Sunday?

MCX will hold a special live session from 8:45 am to 8:59 am. Regular trading will then take place from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Client code modification will be allowed till 5:15 pm.

Q3 Is NCDEX also open on February 1?

Yes. NCDEX will also trade on Budget day. The pre-open session will start at 9:45 am, while live trading will run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Q4 Will settlement happen on February 1?

No. February 1 will be a settlement holiday. Trades will be settled on February 2. Funds and securities will not be available for use on Sunday.