In an unprecedented move, the Union Budget for 2026-27 is likely to be presented on Sunday, February 1. This marks a departure from tradition, as budgets are typically not presented on a weekend. The final decision rests with the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA), which is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to finalize the Budget Session dates.

If the February 1 schedule is maintained, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her eighth consecutive Union Budget. This would also be India's 80th budget since independence.

Several factors contribute to the likelihood of a Sunday budget presentation. The Budget Session of Parliament is projected to commence on January 28, with the President addressing a joint session. The Economic Survey, which provides an overview of the economy, is expected to be tabled on January 29. With January 30 and 31 anticipated to be holidays, February 1 emerges as a practical option.

Presenting the budget on February 1 aligns with the established practice since 2017, irrespective of the day of the week. Previously, the budget was presented on February 28. The current government advanced the budget presentation to allow sufficient time for parliamentary review and seamless implementation from the start of the new financial year in April.

While a Sunday budget presentation is uncommon, it is not without precedent. Parliament has convened on Sundays during specific situations, such as in 2020 and 2012. In 2025, the interim budget was presented on a Saturday. Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha presented the budget on a Saturday, February 27, 1999.

Preparations for the Union Budget 2026 are already in advanced stages. The finance ministry conducted pre-budget consultations with various stakeholders, including industry representatives, economists, and farmers, between October and mid-November 2025. Budget Estimates for 2026–27 and Revised Estimates for 2025–26 have been provisionally finalized. The ministry is also awaiting updated GDP estimates from the Central Statistical Office.

The upcoming budget is expected to signal the start of a comprehensive overhaul of customs duty, with the aim of simplifying the complex web of customs notifications. The government is considering replacing the current system of multiple exemption and concessional duty notifications with a single, comprehensive customs notification.