Budget 2026 – Date, Time, When and Where to Watch Live?

Every year, the Finance Minister of India presents the Union Budget on 01st February in the Parliament. For the financial year 2026-27, since the aforementioned date falls on a Sunday, there has been buzz in the security markets, among compliance professionals, and among the public at large regarding the expected budget date. 

However, it is likely that the Union Budget 2026 will be presented to parliament on 01st February 2026 at 11AM.

Union Budget 2026 Date

• Since the Honorable late Finance Minister, CA Arun Jaitley, started the practice of presenting the Union Budget by 01st February in 2017, all Union Budgets, except interim ones, have been presented on the same date. 
• Since 2017, we have had budgets presented on Saturdays and other days of the week. 
• This is the first time since 2017 that 01st Feb falls on a Sunday. The parliament has not yet made the final decision on the budget date. However, it is widely expected that the budget presentation would be held on 01st February 2026 at 11AM (the usual budget time).
• The budget session for 2026 is expected to be divided into two, the first being held from 28th January to 13th February , followed by the second from 9th March to 2nd April.

What is a Union Budget?

• The Union Budget is an annual financial statement laid before both Houses of Parliament under Article 112 of the Constitution of India. 
• It contains the estimated receipts and expenditure of the following financial year. 
• Crucial details such as tax amendment proposals, key areas for expenditure and development, proposed policies, and reforms are presented in the Union Budget.
• Budget 2026 marks more significance owing to the fact that this is the 9th consecutive Budget of Honorable Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• This would be the second full-fledged budget of Modi government(3.0), after the interim budget of 2024 and a full annual budget of 2025.

When did the Budget-making Process Begin for 2026?

• The Budget process for FY 2026-27 began in August 2025. 
• Usually, the process begins with the budget circular, sending instructions to all the ministries and departments to estimate revenue and expenditure for their respective areas. 
• Post various rounds of pre-budget ministerial discussions and consultations with experts and the public, the Union Budget is laid before the Parliament.

What is the Economic Survey?

• The Economic Survey is usually presented a day before the Budget presentation date. It contains detailed statistical information on the current actual performance of the economy, sector-wise and region-wise. 
• While the budget is presented for the upcoming financial year, the economic survey is about the performance of India throughout the ongoing financial year.

What is the significance of the Halwa Ceremony before the Budget?

• The final stage of Budget Preparation begins with the famous Halwa Ceremony. 
• It is a long-standing tradition in India dating back to the 1980s.
• This is a symbolic expression of gratitude by the Finance Minister to all the key officials involved in the Budget preparation. 
• The period between the date of the Halwa ceremony and the date of the Union Budget presentation is called the lock-in period. 
• After the completion of the Halwa ceremony, the key officials involved in preparing the Budget are restricted from exiting the North Block / Budget printing premises or making any unauthorized communications.
• This exercise ensures the secrecy of the Budget information before the presentation to Parliament.

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