Union Budget of India 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman to present Union Budget 2026 on February 2?
Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Finance Minister, is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 amid discussions about its exact date. February 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday and coincides with Guru Ravidas Jayanti, prompting speculation on a possible shift to February 2. No final confirmation has emerged as of early January 2026.
Traditional Date
The Union Budget has followed February 1 since 2017, allowing Parliament time to approve measures before the April 1 financial year start. This convention began under Arun Jaitley, overriding the prior late-February timing.
Date Confusion
Sources indicate February 1 remains likely despite the weekend, with precedents like the 2025 Saturday presentation. The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) was expected to decide by January 7, balancing logistics like closed markets.
Budget Session Timeline
Parliament’s Budget Session starts January 28 with the President’s address, setting the stage for Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive budget. Expectations include focus on consumer spending, MSMEs, infrastructure, and defense.
