Headline: The Union Budget 2026–27 is set to be a significant national event, carrying both political and economic importance. It will be presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and will mark another milestone in her tenure as the country’s chief economic policymaker. The upcoming Budget will outline the financial roadmap for the next fiscal year, influence policy direction, and reflect the priorities of the current government led by Narendra Modi.

Background of the Union Budget 2026–27

The Union Budget 2026–27 will be the ninth consecutive Budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, making her one of the longest-serving finance ministers in terms of Budget presentations. This will also be the third full Budget of the NDA 3.0 government. With this presentation, she will surpass several former finance ministers such as Manmohan Singh, Arun Jaitley, P. Chidambaram, Yashwant Sinha, and Morarji Desai in terms of the number of Union Budgets delivered. This achievement places her in a unique position in India’s fiscal history and underlines continuity in economic policymaking.

Date and Time of Budget Presentation

The Union Budget 2026–27 will be presented in Parliament on February 1, 2026. The Finance Minister will begin her Budget speech at exactly 11:00 am. Notably, February 1 falls on a Sunday, which makes this Budget presentation relatively uncommon, as Budgets are usually tabled on weekdays. Despite the weekend timing, the event is expected to draw widespread national attention from policymakers, economists, businesses, and citizens across the country.

Parliamentary Budget Session Schedule

The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on January 28 and will continue until April 2. This schedule has been approved by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, following the recommendation of the Union government. The announcement regarding the session dates was made by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. During this period, both Houses of Parliament will deliberate on financial legislation, spending proposals, taxation measures, and other key policy matters connected to the Budget.

Importance of the Budget for the Economy

The Union Budget plays a crucial role in shaping India’s economic direction for the coming year. It outlines government revenue expectations, expenditure plans, fiscal deficit targets, and sector-wise allocations. The Budget 2026–27 is expected to focus on sustaining economic growth, strengthening infrastructure, managing inflation, and supporting employment generation. It will also be closely watched for policy signals related to taxation, public spending, and reforms that affect businesses, investors, and households.

Political and Policy Significance

From a political perspective, the Union Budget 2026–27 holds special relevance as it reflects the priorities of the NDA 3.0 government. As the third full Budget of the current term, it will provide insight into how the government plans to balance welfare initiatives with fiscal discipline. Observers will analyze how resources are allocated across sectors such as healthcare, education, defense, agriculture, and digital development. The Budget will also be seen as an indicator of the government’s long-term economic vision.

How Citizens Can Watch the Budget Live

The Budget speech will be broadcast live across multiple official platforms to ensure maximum public access. Viewers can watch the live presentation on the official Union Budget website at indiabudget.gov.in. In addition, Sansad TV and Doordarshan will telecast the proceedings in real time. Several national news channels will also provide live coverage along with expert discussions and analysis.

For online audiences, Sansad TV, Doordarshan, and the Press Information Bureau will stream the Budget speech on their respective YouTube channels and share updates through social media platforms. These options make it easy for citizens, professionals, and students to follow the Budget announcements as they happen.

Post-Budget Analysis and Updates

Beyond the live speech, detailed analysis and interpretation of the Budget proposals are equally important. Various media platforms and financial news websites will break down the key announcements, assess their impact on different sectors, and explain what the changes mean for taxpayers and businesses. Readers can also follow real-time updates and expert opinions on lokmattimes.com, which will track the Budget presentation and subsequent reactions.