As India anticipates one of the most significant financial announcements of the year, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the exact date. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget, but citizens and observers are puzzled: will it be on Sunday, 1 February 2026, or Monday, 2 February 2026?
The Source of the Date Confusion
The tradition of presenting the Union Budget on the first day of February began in 2017, a move designed to give Parliament ample time to pass the financial plan before the new fiscal year starts in April. For 2026, that fixed date falls on a Sunday, leading to widespread speculation about a potential shift.
According to a report from NDTV Profit, which cited officials familiar with the planning, the Union Budget for 2026-27 is currently scheduled for tabling in Parliament on Sunday, 1 February 2026. However, this date has not yet received formal approval from the central government, keeping the door open for a change.
Official Statements and Historical Precedent
Adding to the intrigue, an earlier PTI report quoted sources stating that Nirmala Sitharaman will indeed present the budget on Sunday. These sources dismissed concerns about the weekend, remarking, "We have a fixed day for the presentation of the general budget. The concept of Sunday was brought by the British."
However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju provided a more cautious outlook. He clarified that the final decision on the dates rests with the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which will make the call at an appropriate time. This official stance means the question remains unresolved for the public.
A Journey from Briefcase to Tablet: Budget Trivia
The presentation of India's Union Budget has itself undergone a remarkable evolution, mirroring the nation's progress:
- For decades, the budget was carried in a traditional leather briefcase.
- In 2019, Finance Minister Sitharaman replaced it with a red 'Bahi Khata', a symbol of Indian accounting tradition.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, she embraced modernity fully by presenting the budget from a digital tablet.
The security around the budget documents has also seen major changes. After a notorious leak in 1950 under Finance Minister John Mathai, the printing location was moved from Rashtrapati Bhawan for greater secrecy. Since 1980, this critical process has been conducted in the basement of the North Block.
Nirmala Sitharaman also holds a unique record in budget history: she delivered the longest budget speech ever, lasting 2 hours and 42 minutes.
As the nation waits for an official announcement from the Cabinet Committee, all eyes are on the calendar. Whether on the historically fixed date of February 1 or the subsequent Monday, this budget will mark a significant milestone as Nirmala Sitharaman's ninth, setting the economic roadmap for the financial year 2026-27.
