Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament today, Sunday, February 1, at 11:00 AM IST. This marks the ninth consecutive budget presentation by Sitharaman, a historic first in India's parliamentary history. The budget will outline the government's financial plans, tax proposals, and policy directions for the upcoming fiscal year.

The live streaming of the Union Budget 2026 speech will commence at 11:00 AM IST on February 1. Viewers are advised to log in a few minutes early to ensure uninterrupted access.

Where to Watch Live:

The Budget 2026 speech will be broadcast live on several platforms, ensuring widespread accessibility:

• Official Channels: Sansad TV and PIB's YouTube channels will provide live streams.
• Public Broadcaster: DD News channels will offer live telecasts.
• Online Platforms: The Economic Times YouTube channel and the official Union Budget website (indiabudget.gov.in) will also stream the speech live.
• Social Media: Government social media platforms will share direct streaming links.

These platforms allow viewers to watch the speech on mobile phones, laptops, and smart TVs.

Post-Speech Availability:

The full video of the Budget speech will be uploaded on official government platforms after the Finance Minister's address. It will be available on Sansad TV's digital platforms and the Union Budget portal.

All official Budget documents, including the Annual Financial Statement, Demands for Grants, and the Finance Bill, will be uploaded online. These will be accessible on the Union Budget mobile app (available in English and Hindi on Android and iOS) and the official website, indiabudget.gov.in.

Key Expectations:

The Budget is expected to focus on sustaining growth momentum, maintaining fiscal discipline, and implementing reforms to protect the economy from global trade frictions. Priority sectors are likely to include railways, renewable energy, power transmission, defense, and urban transport. Job creation is also expected to be a key focus, with potential incentives for labor-intensive manufacturing and a push for skilling and apprenticeship programs.

The Economic Survey 2025-26 projects India's economy to grow at 7.4% in FY26, with a growth rate range of 6.8-7.2% estimated for 2026-27.

Ahead of the budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with President Droupadi Murmu. Sitharaman posed with the Budget paper at the new Finance Ministry, Kartavya Bhavan 1 in New Delhi.

Market Impact:

The stock market is open today for a special live trading session to coincide with Union Budget 2026. The fiscal deficit, the gap between government expenditure and revenue, will be closely monitored by stock markets.

With the Income Tax Act, 2025, coming into effect on April 1, 2026, the 2026 Union Budget gains higher significance. While major changes to income tax slabs are unlikely, following the relief announced last year, income tax will remain a key focus in Budget 2026.