Budget 2026 Date
Budget 2026 (Union Budget for FY 2026–27) will be presented on Sunday, 1 February 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Lok Sabha.
It sounds almost like a trick question the first time you hear it, a full Union Budget on a Sunday, but the government has officially confirmed the date and timing, breaking away from the usual weekday routine while still sticking to the now-standard 1 February slot.
For many salaried people and small business owners, that Sunday morning is already mentally blocked off: coffee, notebook, maybe a little nervousness about what happens to taxes, and the TV or phone tuned in by 10:55 AM.
Someone joked recently that “Budget Day has now become like a cricket final, everyone suddenly has an opinion, even those who usually ignore business news,” and honestly, that feels accurate.
The fact that it’s on a Sunday might actually pull in more casual viewers who would otherwise be stuck at work, doom-scrolling headlines later instead of watching the actual speech.
Union Budget 2026: Key Dates
The key Budget 2026 dates are: Budget Session from 28 January to 2 April 2026, Economic Survey on 29 January, and the Union Budget presentation on 1 February 2026 at 11:00 AM.
It is a long, slightly exhausting calendar if you follow policy closely, but it gives a clear rhythm to how the government will talk about the economy, present numbers, and then debate them in Parliament.
To make it easier to remember, think of it roughly like this (not a perfect “official table”, more like a scribbled notebook version):
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28 January 2026 – Budget Session starts with the President’s address to both Houses.
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29 January 2026 – Economic Survey 2025–26 is tabled, setting the tone on growth, inflation, jobs, and fiscal health.
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1 February 2026 (Sunday), 11:00 AM – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2026–27 in Lok Sabha.
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13 February 2026 – First phase of the Budget Session ends.
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9 March to 2 April 2026 – Second phase of the session to take up detailed demands for grants, Finance Bill, and related discussions.
Putting it this way makes the process feel less abstract: first comes the diagnosis (Economic Survey), then the prescription (Budget), and then weeks of arguments over every line item.
People who track markets know these dates by heart; for everyone else, it’s usually “Is it today? Okay, then office WhatsApp will be full of tax memes by noon.”
Union Budget 2026 Expectations
Union Budget 2026 is widely expected to focus on higher capital expenditure, managing higher borrowings, and signalling continuity with some targeted reliefs rather than wild surprises.
Analysts are talking about gross market borrowings possibly rising by around 15–16% to roughly ₹16.9 lakh crore for 2026–27, driven by both infrastructure push and debt redemption needs.
This sounds dry on paper, but in daily life it translates into questions like: will there be more highways, trains, data centres, and public health spending – and will that pressure interest rates and inflation?
From a common citizen’s lens, the expectations circle around a few familiar, very human hopes:
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Some income tax relief or slab tweaks, especially for middle-income salaried classes feeling cost-of-living pressure.
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Continued capital spending on infrastructure to keep jobs and demand flowing, without making borrowing so aggressive that it scares investors.
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Clarity on support for MSMEs, manufacturing, and export-oriented sectors facing global trade headwinds and tariff issues.
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A balanced stance on social-sector schemes – health, education, rural development – so that growth doesn’t feel like a headline that never reaches smaller towns.
There is also the usual “please don’t suddenly change everything” sentiment, especially from businesses and markets: continuity in policies, predictable taxation, and clear signals on fiscal consolidation matter almost as much as any single big-ticket announcement.
One portfolio manager recently summed it up in a very human way: “A boring, responsible budget is sometimes the best gift to the markets,” and many long-term investors would quietly agree.
Budget 2026 date: When and where to watch live?
You can watch the Union Budget 2026 live on Sunday, 1 February 2026, from 11:00 AM IST on official government TV channels, Parliament’s broadcast, and verified digital platforms.
The speech traditionally starts at 11 AM and runs anywhere from 90 minutes to over two hours, so this is very much a “keep your charger handy” situation if you’re streaming on mobile.
For most people, the simplest and safest ways to watch are:
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Doordarshan and other official government or parliamentary TV channels carry the full, unedited speech.
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Official webcast and digital streams linked to Parliament and government broadcasters, typically accessible via the main Budget portal and NIC’s webcast service.
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Reputable news channels and business networks that simulcast the speech and add live commentary and analysis; channels like ET Now and others are already running Budget 2026 live coverage and pre-Budget shows.
The only real “pro tip” is to avoid random links promising “exclusive early Budget leaks” or shady live streams circulating on social media – they’re rarely accurate, often clickbait, and almost never necessary when the government itself streams everything free and in HD.
Many regular viewers have their own little rituals: some sit with spreadsheets to recalculate their post-tax salary in real time, others just wait for the evening explainers and memes. Both approaches are valid; the key is simply tuning in from an authentic source on time.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article regarding the Union Budget 2026 is based on official announcements and publicly available sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the content is for general informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the author and do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult professional advisors or official government channels for specific guidance related to the Union Budget and its implications.
