Union Budget 2026-27 Date: Will FM Nirmala Sitharaman Present Budget On Sunday? Here’s What We Know So Far

Union Budget 2026-27 Date: Speculation is mounting over the presentation date of the Union Budget 2026-27, as the customary date of February 1 falls on a Sunday this year. Adding to the discussion, the day also coincides with Guru Ravidas Jayanti, prompting questions about whether the government will adhere to the traditional schedule or opt for an alternative date.

When Will Nirmala Sitharaman Present Budget 2026?

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is likely to stick to the schedule and present the Union Budget 2026-27 on 1 February, Sunday, reported PTI. GoodReturns couldn't independently verify the development and an official announcement by the government is awaited on the matter.

"These decisions are taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs at an appropriate time," PTI quoted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on the matter. The February 1 date was selected to ensure implementation of the Budget at the start of the new financial year on April 1.

Since 2017, the Union Budget 2025 was presented on February 1. Earlier, the Union Budget was usually presented on the last day of February. Some other media reports suggest that there are discussions that this time the Annual Financial Statement to be presented on 2 February, Monday.

Can Union Budget Be Presented On A Sunday?

Yes, there is no restriction to present Budget on Sundays. Even, former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, in 1999, had presented the Union Budget on 28 February, 1999 which was a Sunday. He also started the practice of presenting the budget at 11 am instead of 5 pm.

Union Budget 2026-27: Key Dates, Process, Other Details

Despite that precedent, the timing of Union Budget 2026 is not fixed yet. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the date decision is not automatic. Rijiju stated, "These decisions are taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs at an appropriate time." The Cabinet committee will therefore decide whether the Budget is read on Sunday or Monday.

Union Budget 2026-27 Timing, Historical Changes

The choice of February 1 as Budget day was itself a policy change. PTI reported that the date was picked so that the annual financial plan could start from April 1. This timing allows Parliament to complete discussions and pass key Bills before the new financial year opens.

For many years before 2017, the general budget used to be tabled on the last day of February. Parliament then passed a vote on account. That allowed withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund of India to pay government expenses for the first quarter of the next fiscal year, PTI noted.

The earlier pattern changed in 2017, under then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. From that year, the budget presentation moved to February 1. The aim was for Parliament to complete approvals by the end of March. This helped ministries begin schemes and projects right from April.