New Delhi: The Union Budget for the financial year 2025–26 will be presented in Parliament on February 1, which falls on a Sunday, the government announced on Friday. Ahead of the Budget, the Economic Survey—a key document outlining the state of the Indian economy—will be tabled on January 29 by Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran.
The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on January 28 and continue until April 2, following approval from President Droupadi Murmu. As per tradition, the President will address a joint sitting of both Houses on the opening day of the session.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju confirmed the schedule in a post, stating that the President has approved the summoning of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for the Budget Session.
“On the recommendation of the Government of India, Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji has approved the summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session 2026. The Session will commence on 28 January 2026 and continue till 2 April 2026,” Rijiju said.
Two-Phase Budget Session
The Budget Session will be held in two phases. The first phase will run until February 13, after which Parliament will adjourn for a nearly month-long recess. During this break, standing committees of Parliament will examine the Demands for Grants of various Union ministries and departments.
Parliament will reconvene on March 9, marking the beginning of the second phase, which will conclude on April 2.
Highlighting the importance of the schedule, Rijiju said the structure of the session allows for in-depth scrutiny of government spending plans and encourages meaningful legislative debate focused on public interest.
Sunday Sitting: Not Without Precedent
Although Parliament typically does not sit on Sundays, such sittings have taken place under special circumstances in the past. Notable examples include the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and May 13, 2012, when Parliament met to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its first sitting.
The upcoming Budget, to be presented on a Sunday, is therefore unusual but not unprecedented, and is expected to draw significant attention given its implications for economic growth, fiscal policy, and governance in the coming year.