In a significant departure from tradition, the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be presented on a Sunday. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla officially confirmed the date, setting February 1, 2026, as the day when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the financial statement in Parliament.
Schedule and Phases of the Budget Session 2026
The announcement follows the declaration of the Parliament's Budget Session schedule by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju last week. The extensive session is slated to run in two phases from January 28 to April 2, 2026.
Sharing the decision on social media, Rijiju stated that President Droupadi Murmu approved the summoning of both Houses of Parliament on the government's recommendation. The first phase of the session will conclude on February 13, after which there will be a recess. The second phase will recommence on March 9 and continue until April 2.
Finance Minister's Record and Session Protocol
This upcoming budget will be a landmark moment for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as it will mark her eighth time presenting the Union Budget. The Budget Session is the first parliamentary session of each calendar year and holds immense constitutional and economic importance.
The session begins with the President's address to a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Following this address, the houses take up legislative and financial business, with the budget presentation being the centerpiece. The financial year's roadmap is laid out, detailing the government's revenue and expenditure plans.
Annual Parliamentary Calendar
The Budget Session is followed by two other major sessions: the Monsoon Session, typically held in July–August, and the Winter Session in November–December. This structured calendar ensures continuous legislative review and governance throughout the year.
The decision to present the budget on a Sunday, February 1, 2026, is a notable break from conventional weekday presentations, drawing significant public and media attention to the upcoming fiscal policies.
