Union Budget 2026: Will BSE, NSE Open on Sunday, February 1?

The equity markets will remain open on budget day. The leading bourses NSE and BSE stated they will conduct live trading while the finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman presents the Union Budget 2026.  

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"On account of the presentation of the Union Budget, members are requested to note that Exchange shall be conducting a live trading session on February 01, 2026, as per the standard market timings," the NSE circular read.

Budget Tradition Meets Sunday Challenge

Since 2017, all February 1 presentations have occurred without reference to weekdays. Requiring a weekend Parliamentary consideration for a Sunday Budget will be a rare occurrence. The Economic Survey will typically be released and Chief Economic Adviser briefings given on dates preceding the tabling of the budgets.

Standard Operations Context

The Indian Markets are open from Monday to Friday, 09:15 am to 15:30 pm. Pre-opening is available from 09:00 to 09:15 each day. The Markets are closed over the weekend and during exchange holidays, except in rare instances when they open for budget-related purposes.

This Sunday, February 1, the pre-open market will be in between 9 am and 9:15 am, as per the NSE circular. The normal market will function between 9.15 a.m. and 3.30 p.m, as usual. Even BSE put up a similar circular. 

Research Context: Budget Day Dynamics

Union Budgets typically lead to gains of between 2% & 5% in a single day Nifty movement (1.5% average volatility). Allied pharmaceutical and healthcare companies experience an increase of between 3%-4% when enhanced healthcare allocation is made. Infrastructure tends to grow by 2% – 3%. Consumer staples tend to hold their value. 

Sunday Trading will allow investors to make quick changes to their portfolios in response to the budgets that are being tabled on Sunday. Historically, when budgets were tabled on a weekend, we have seen trading volumes increase 15-20% compared to Friday. Coordinate with NSE/BSE to ensure trades are executed under a liquid environment. 

All historical patterns of behaviour indicate that investors typically position themselves in the market post 1:00 pm on Budget day after the Minister of Finance has given their speech. FY27 Government is expected to release a Budget that accelerates Capex (₹12 Lakh Cr target) along with an extension of PLI and probable stimulus to rural areas due to falling tariffs from the U.S. Focus of Investors will include GST Rationalisation, Disinvestment Pipeline, and Gradual-moving Fiscal-deficit path of 4.5%.