Delhi, January 29: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for the 2026-27 financial year on Sunday, February 1. The presentation will begin at 11:00 AM in the Lok Sabha, following a long-standing tradition of revealing the government’s fiscal roadmap on the first day of February. This year’s budget is expected to focus heavily on middle-class tax relief, rural development, and infrastructure spending to sustain India’s economic momentum.

The proceedings will commence with the Finance Minister seeking formal approval from the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, just an hour before the speech begins. Once the speech concludes, the Finance Minister will table the Finance Bill and the Appropriation Bill, which outline the government’s taxation proposals and spending plans. The budget session is expected to be closely watched by global investors and domestic taxpayers alike as the government balances fiscal consolidation with growth.

Union Budget 2026: Where and How to Watch

The Union Budget speech will be broadcast live on national television channels, including Sansad TV and Doordarshan. For those preferring digital platforms, the live stream will be available on the official YouTube channels of Sansad TV and various news networks.

Additionally, the full budget document, along with the Economic Survey, will be available for download in a digital-friendly format on the "Union Budget Mobile App." This app allows users to access all 14 budget documents in both English and Hindi. Budget 2026: Date, Time, Live Streaming Details.

Budget 2026: Key Dates to Remember

The Budget 2026 timeline follows a structured parliamentary schedule:

  • January 31: The Economic Survey 2025-26 will likely be tabled, providing an overview of the country’s economic health over the past year.

  • February 1: Presentation of the Union Budget at 11:00 AM.

  • Post-February 1: Parliamentary discussions and voting on various departmental grants before the final passage of the Finance Bill.

Early reports suggest that the 2026 budget may prioritize revisions to the New Tax Regime to make it more attractive for salaried individuals. There is also significant anticipation regarding increased outlays for the "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) initiatives.

Experts predict a continued push for the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes across new sectors and further incentives for green energy. Additionally, the agricultural sector is expected to see a boost through enhanced credit facilities and infrastructure support for cold storage and supply chains.

Historical Context of the Budget

Until 2016, the Union Budget was presented on the last working day of February. However, the date was moved to February 1 starting in 2017 to allow for the legislative process to be completed before the new financial year begins on April 1.

Furthermore, the separate Railway Budget was merged with the Union Budget in 2017, a practice that continues today. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman holds the record for the longest budget speech, and this will be her eighth consecutive budget presentation.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2026 05:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).