The round of pre-Budget consultations-discussions over what should be presented in the Union Budget 2026-27- has already begun. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the third Pre-Budget Consultation meeting with stakeholders from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in New Delhi in November, in preparation for the upcoming Union Budget 2026-27. But there is one question doing the rounds- will she present the Union Budget on February 1, or not?

The question arose because February 1, 2026 falls on a Sunday and all government offices, including Parliament, remain closed on Sundays. So, the question is will the government go ahead with the Budget presentation on Sunday, February 1 or will it postpone it to the next day, February 2?

Can the Union Budget 2026 be presented on Saturday/Sunday?

The answer is Yes. The Indian Union Budget can be presented on a Saturday. Typically, the Union Budget is presented on the first day of February each year. And if required to be adjusted for any reason (like weekends or public holidays), the date can be shifted to Saturday or any other day, as long as it is in accordance with the calendar set by the Finance Ministry and the government. Presenting the budget on weekends or Fridays allows time for stock markets to react and for the government to get feedback from the stakeholders.

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However, this is not the first time when the Budget date has coincided with a weekend and in the past too when such situations arose, the date was rarely changed. In fact, the Indian government has historically scheduled the Budget presentation on a Saturday to ensure it aligns with parliamentary calendar.

The Budget has been presented on a weekend in the past. For example, last year Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025-26 on Saturday. The then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Budget on February 28, 2015 and it was a Saturday. In 2016 too, he presented it on Saturday, February 27. Earlier instances include March 3, 2001 (Saturday) and February 28, 2004 (Saturday).

There have even been times when the Union Budget was presented on a Sunday too. On February 28, 1999 — a Sunday — then Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha tabled the Budget. That year was also significant because the presentation shifted to 11 a.m. for the first time, replacing the earlier 5 p.m. schedule.

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Factors that may impact Budget 2026 presentation

February 1, 2026 falling on a Sunday is not the only issue. Suppose the government decides to present the Budget on February 1. There’s another factor to consider — Guru Ravidas Jayanti also falls on the same day. However, as per the Central Government’s official notification (F.No.12/2/2023-JCA), February 1, 2026, is a restricted holiday, meaning all government offices will remain open.

Amid the current uncertainty, officials expect either the Finance Ministry or the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to soon clarify whether the Budget will be presented on February 1 or if the date will be changed.

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Modi-era Budgets presented on Saturdays

Two Budgets during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure were presented on Saturdays: Union Budget 2015-16 and Union Budget 2016-17. On February 28, 2015, the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Budget — the first Saturday budget under the Modi government. The timing was chosen to give Parliament more time for debate before the new financial year and to reduce procedural delays.

The next year, on February 27, 2016, Jaitley again presented the Budget on a Saturday, continuing the new practice. This Budget focused on economic reforms, growth measures and tax simplification. Before PM Modi's tenure, Union Budgets were usually presented on the last working day of February, mostly weekdays. However, there were a few exceptions:

Union Budget 2001-02: Presented on Saturday, March 3, 2001.

Union Budget 2004-05: Presented on Saturday, February 28, 2004, by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

Following the usual convention, the Economic Survey is presented a day before the Union Budget. If this practice continues, the Survey could be tabled on Saturday, January 31, while the Budget may be presented on Sunday, February 1, 2026. However, no final decision has been taken yet, and the government has not issued any official announcement.