Union Budget 2026 Set to Be Presented on February 1
Upcoming Union Budget Presentation
The Union Budget for 2026 is anticipated to be unveiled on February 1, which coincides with a Sunday, according to sources. Although the official dates for the parliamentary budget session have yet to be announced, it is unlikely that the government will alter the schedule. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget for the eighth consecutive time, marking the 80th budget since India gained independence. Reports indicate that preparations for the annual budget are progressing swiftly, with the presentation set for February 1.
Tradition of February 1 Budget Presentations
Traditionally, the Union Budget is presented on February 1 each year to allow ample time for parliamentary review and implementation at the start of the financial year. Presenting the budget on a weekend is not unprecedented; for instance, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 2025 budget on a Saturday, while former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley did so for the 2015 and 2016 budgets on February 28, both Saturdays.
Historical Significance of the Upcoming Budget
If the schedule proceeds as planned, Sitharaman will become the first finance minister to present nine consecutive Union Budgets, solidifying her position among India's longest-serving finance ministers. This achievement would bring her closer to the record held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who presented a total of ten budgets during two terms—six from 1959 to 1964 and four from 1967 to 1969. Among recent finance ministers, P. Chidambaram presented nine budgets, while Pranab Mukherjee delivered eight budgets across different prime ministers' tenures.
Nirmala Sitharaman's Tenure
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return to power in 2019, Nirmala Sitharaman was appointed as India's first full-time female finance minister. She continues to hold this position as the Modi government seeks a third consecutive term in 2024. The official announcement regarding the dates for the parliamentary budget session is still pending.