Countdown to budget day begins as Union Budget 2026 date is announced

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday confirmed that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1. This year, the budget day falls on a Sunday, ending all confusion around the date.

The Finance Minister will present the Budget at 11 a.m. in the Lok Sabha, the Speaker said while replying to a question at a press conference. The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on January 28 and continue till April 2, with a break in between.

When will the Union Budget 2026 be presented?

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The Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented on Sunday, February 1, at 11 a.m. in the Lok Sabha. The budget is presented on February 1 every year. However, since the date falls on a Sunday this year, there was uncertainty about whether it would be moved.

The minister has now clearly stated that the budget will be presented on the same day, even though it is a holiday.

When does the Budget Session of Parliament start and end?

The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on January 28 and is expected to run till April 2.

According to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the session will be held in two phases:

First phase: January 28 to February 13

Second phase: March 9 to April 2

After the first phase, Parliament will take a nearly one-month break and will meet again in March.

Why was there confusion over the budget date?

The confusion happened because February 1 is a Sunday this year. Usually, Parliament does not meet on weekends. This raised questions about whether the government would change the budget date.

The Speaker’s confirmation has now removed all doubts, making it clear that the Finance Minister will present the Budget on February 1 as planned.

Which days will Parliament not meet during the session?

During the Budget Session, there will be some days when Parliament will not be in session:

January 29: No sitting because of the Beating Retreat ceremony

January 31 (Saturday): No sitting a day before the Budget

April 3: Probably no sitting because of Good Friday

The two Chambers of Parliament are expected to be in session on January 30 for the presentation of the Economic Survey.

Who approved the Budget Session 2026?

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that President Droupadi Murmu has approved the summoning of both Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session 2026. The approval was given on the recommendation of the Central government.

After discussions on the President’s address and debates on the Budget, Parliament is expected to adjourn on February 13. The session will resume on March 9 and is likely to end on April 2, a day earlier than usual due to the Good Friday holiday.