Union Budget 2026 to be presented on Sunday, February 1, breaking decades-old tradition

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present her ninth consecutive budget on February 1, 2026, marking a rare Sunday session with strong focus on technology-led growth and fiscal balance.

For the first time in several decades, the Union Budget will be presented on a Sunday. The Union Budget 2026 is scheduled for February 1, which falls on a Sunday, breaking long-standing parliamentary convention and drawing nationwide attention.

Until 2017, Union Budgets were traditionally tabled on the last working day of February. That practice changed when the presentation date was advanced to February 1 to allow quicker implementation of policies. However, budgets have almost always been presented on working days, making the 2026 timing unusual. The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs has now formally confirmed the Sunday schedule.

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth consecutive Union Budget, an achievement unmatched in recent decades. With this, she moves closer to the historic record set by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who presented 10 budgets during his tenure as Finance Minister. Sitharaman’s long continuity in the role has given her a rare opportunity to influence India’s economic direction consistently over multiple years.

Technology and artificial intelligence are expected to be central themes of Budget 2026. The government is likely to announce measures aimed at attracting global technology companies, along with incentives to expand AI-driven infrastructure. These steps are expected to focus on job creation, innovation, and positioning India as a global hub for emerging technologies.

Healthcare is another sector likely to see major policy attention. Proposals may include the expansion of hospitals and medical colleges, particularly in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, to strengthen medical capacity. A revamped Production Linked Incentive (PLI 2.0) scheme is also expected, with a broader focus beyond pharmaceuticals to support healthcare innovation and address rising demand.

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The Sunday presentation is also being seen as symbolic. With no weekday disruptions, citizens, markets, and businesses will be able to follow budget announcements closely. Falling in the Republic Day week, Budget 2026 aligns economic planning with national sentiment, adding to its overall significance.