Union Budget 2026-27: FM Sitharaman's Sunday Presentation & Sectoral Expectations

Union Budget 2026-27: A Historic Sunday Presentation by FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is poised to present the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, marking a significant moment in India's parliamentary history. This budget speech will be her ninth consecutive presentation and, notably, the first time in recent memory that the Indian Union Budget is scheduled for a Sunday. The anticipation is high as stakeholders across sectors await potential incentives and relief measures.

Date, Time, and Where to Watch the Budget 2026 Speech

The Union Budget 2026-27 will be unveiled on Sunday, 1 February 2026, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech commencing at 11 AM. This timing adheres to a long-standing tradition in Indian budget presentations.

For live coverage, viewers can tune into multiple platforms:

Sansad TV will broadcast the speech in multiple languages on its YouTube channel.
Doordarshan (DD) television channels will provide a live feed from Parliament's Budget Session.
Updates will be available on the official Union Budget website (indiabudget.gov.in).
The Finance Ministry and Press Information Bureau (PIB) will share live updates on their official social media pages.

Key Dates for Budget 2026 Session

The Budget Session follows a structured timeline:

28 January: Session began with President Droupadi Murmu's address to Parliament.
29 January: Economic Survey 2026 tabled by FM Sitharaman.
1 February: Union Budget 2026-27 presentation at 11 AM in Lok Sabha.
13 February: First half of the session concludes.
9 March: Second half of the session commences.
2 April: Final day of the Budget Session, with adjournment sine die.

Sectoral Expectations: Where Will the Focus Lie?

This year's budget is expected to prioritize several key sectors, building on previous initiatives and addressing current economic needs. Reports indicate a strong emphasis on:

Railways: An anticipated 8-10% year-on-year rise in capital expenditure, potentially boosting infrastructure firms.
Defence: Increased capex, indigenisation, and technology development amid global geopolitical tensions.
Infrastructure: Experts predict a 10-15% increase in government capex, reaching ₹12-12.5 lakh crore, following last year's historic allocation.
MSMEs, Renewable Energy, and AI: These sectors are likely to receive attention for growth and innovation.
Real Estate: Possibility of deductions for home loan interest under the new tax regime.
Pharma & Healthcare: Continued investment in public health, infrastructure, and R&D incentives.
FMCG: Expectations include rationalised duties, GST reforms, and support for logistics.
Agriculture: Strengthening through funding, sustainability measures, and infrastructure improvements.

Tax-Related Expectations: What Could Change?

Taxpayers are hopeful for relief in several areas:

Standard Deduction Hike: Experts suggest an increase to ₹1 lakh for salaried taxpayers, from the current ₹75,000 under the new regime.
Joint Taxation for Couples: Proposals for a system allowing married couples to file a single return by combining incomes.
Income Tax Slabs: While major changes are unlikely, tweaks in TDS and deductions are anticipated.
Homeowner Incentives: Inclusion of Section 24(b) in the new tax regime for home loan interest deductions up to ₹2 lakh.
TDS Rationalisation: Suggestions to streamline rates and exempt B2B GST payments from TDS.