February 1 or 2? When Will Centre Present The Union Budget 2026? Cabinet Committee to Take Final Call Today

The government is poised to decide whether the Union Budget 2026 will be presented on a Sunday, February 1 which coincides with Guru Ravidas Jayanti. A final call on the Budget 2026-27 date is expected after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, scheduled for Wednesday.

February 1 or 2? When Will Centre Present Union Budget 2026?

A Money Control report, citing unnamed officials, noted that a proposal to present the Union Budget on February 1 has already been circulated. "There is a strong possibility that the government will present the Union Budget on Sunday as it may not want to break from tradition," government sources told NDTV as per its report.

Public Holiday on 1st February For Guru Ravidas Jayanti and Sunday

For the past few years, the Union Budget has traditionally been presented at 11 am on February 1. However, this year, February 1 falls on a Sunday, a restricted holiday observed as Guru Ravidas Jayanti.

Government offices and stock markets remain closed on Sundays, raising logistical questions over presenting the Budget on that day. Despite this, reports indicate that the government may retain the February 1 schedule to maintain continuity and allow ministries sufficient time to implement proposals ahead of the new financial year starting April 1.

Union Budget Announcement in Weekend Not Unprecedented

Presenting the Budget on a weekend is not new under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. In 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the annual budget on a Saturday. During Arun Jaitley's tenure as Finance Minister, the Union Budget was presented on Saturdays as well-February 28 in 2015 and 2016.

Arun Jaitley had also revised the traditional budget timeline, moving it from February 28 to February 1 to give ministries more time before the start of the new fiscal year. This revised schedule continues under the current government.

• In 2015, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Union Budget on February 28, which fell on a Saturday.
• In 2016, Arun Jaitley again delivered the Budget on February 28, also a Saturday.
• In 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget on February 1, which was a Saturday.

Officials argue that presenting the Union Budget on February 1 enables Parliament to examine proposals before the new financial year begins. Past weekend Budget sessions have shown that Parliament can convene if required, even when markets and most offices are closed.

Parliamentary Calendar Ahead of Budget 2026

According to sources, the Budget session of Parliament is likely to commence on January 28 with the President's address, followed by the presentation of the Economic Survey on January 29. January 30 and 31 are expected to be holidays. The Union Budget would then be presented on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The first part of the Budget session is expected to last for three weeks and will focus on the motion of thanks on President Droupadi Murmu's address, followed by discussions on the Union Budget and presentation of the Finance Bill.

The second part of the session is expected to continue for four weeks, covering important government bills and demands for grants.