NEW DELHI – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to create history today, Sunday, February 1, 2026, by presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget. This milestone not only cements her position as the longest-serving Finance Minister in continuous tenure but also marks a rare departure from parliamentary tradition, as it is the first time the Union Budget is being presented on a Sunday.
At 11:00 AM IST, the Finance Minister will begin her address in the Lok Sabha, carrying her signature digital “Bahi-Khata”—a tablet wrapped in a red cloth bearing the national emblem. With India projected to grow at 7.4% in FY26, the world’s eyes are on how this Budget will navigate global trade frictions and domestic demand pressures.
The Milestone: Surpassing Records and Breaking Tradition
By delivering her ninth straight Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman surpasses the records of her predecessors like P. Chidambaram and Pranab Mukherjee. She is now only one Budget away from equaling Morarji Desai’s all-time record of 10 presentations.
The decision to hold the session on a Sunday has heightened the drama, though stock markets (BSE and NSE) will remain closed today. The primary focus is expected to be on “continuity and resilience” as the government seeks to maintain its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
Key Expectations: The “Big Three” Triggers
Investors, the middle class, and industry leaders are watching three critical areas that could define today’s speech:
- The New Income Tax Act, 2025: This is arguably the biggest structural shift this year. The Budget is expected to outline the final transition to the new Act, set to replace the legacy 1961 law on April 1. Taxpayers are hoping for a standard deduction increase to ₹1 lakh and revised slabs to put more disposable income into household pockets.
- Infrastructure & AI Surge: Following the Economic Survey’s lead, the government is likely to pivot AI from a “prestige race” to an “economic strategy.” Expect massive allocations for Kavach 4.0 (Railway safety), semiconductor manufacturing, and applied AI in logistics.
- The “Trump Tariff” Shield: With new U.S. tariffs impacting global trade, Sitharaman is expected to announce incentives for “Make in India” to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce import dependency on critical raw materials.
How to Watch the Budget 2026 Live
The Budget speech is expected to last between 90 and 120 minutes. You can track the live announcements through:
- Sansad TV: For the official Lok Sabha feed.
- Doordarshan (DD): For the national broadcast.
- Union Budget Mobile App: To download the full Budget document and Finance Bill immediately after the speech concludes.
Budget 2026 At a Glance: Key Targets to Watch
| Metric | FY26 Estimate | FY27 Expectation |
| Fiscal Deficit | 4.4% of GDP | ~4.0% of GDP |
| Real GDP Growth | 7.4% | 6.8% – 7.2% |
| Capex Outlay | ₹11.2 Lakh Cr | ₹12.5+ Lakh Cr |