Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Present Budget 2026 on February 1

According to government sources on February 1, 2026, the union budget 2026 is expected to be presented. While the official dates for the budget session of parliament have not yet been announced, preparations are going on with the pre scheduled date as the planned day.

Since 2017, the union budget has been presented on February 1 every year. This date helps the government to start new schemes and spending plans on time from April 1, at the start of the new financial year.

Why Budget 2026 is important

Citizens, businesses and investors will closely watch the budget 2026. People will look for announcements on taxes, government schemes, infrastructure projects, jobs and support for industries.

The budget comes at a time when the global economy is facing uncertainty. Experts say that this will be a challenge for the ministry to maintain the balance between citizens’ expectations and the country’s expenses while keeping in mind the economic growth.

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Budget on a Weekend

February 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday and presenting the budget on a weekend is not new. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget 2025 on a Saturday, and earlier budgets have also been presented on weekends when needed.

Ninth Budget for Nirmala Sitharaman

If the budget day is confirmed, Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth Union Budget in a row. This will make her the first finance minister in India to present nine budgets continuously.

Sitharaman became India’s full time woman finance minister in 2019. She has kept the finance role even after the government returned to power in 2024. Experts say this continuity has helped maintain steady economic planning over the years.

Preparations already on Schedule

The finance ministry has already conducted meetings with different ministries and departments. Initial budget numbers have been prepared and economic data have been collected to finalise the budget.

The finance ministry drafts the budget and the Union Cabinet approves its contents. The CCPA (Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs) is responsible for its parliamentary scheduling. For the upcoming session, the CCPA must decide if finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget on scheduled day or move it to a weekday. Until then, all signs point to February 1 as the day when the country will hear the Union Budget 2026.

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