Watch Budget Amid Sunday Home Tasks: Check Key Moments & Tune In When Your Interest Goes Live

On Sunday, February 1, the Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This is the 88th Budget since India gained independence. The Budget represents the central government’s annual financial plan, signalling
its focus areas in terms of public spending. The document will signal the government’s stance on fiscal management, taxation and policy priorities.

Since the Budget is presented around 11 AM, many people may be busy with other chores or want to tune in to just key moments in the speech. There are several activities that take place before the presentation. For those who are not keen on spending their entire
Sunday waiting for key announcements on taxation, here is a handy guide on what happens on Budget Day.

What Happens On Union Budget Day?
When the Union Budget is presented in India, typically on February 1, the morning is marked by ceremonial traditions, strict confidentiality, and final approvals before the Finance Minister puts forward the document in Parliament at 11 AM. Activities ramp up
from around 8:30 AM, with the focus on the Finance Minister, officials, and other cabinet ministers.

What Is The Finance Minister's Routine?
Nirmala Sitharaman has followed the same routine each year. The Finance Minister leaves her residence at 8:30 AM for North Block, which houses the Finance Ministry. She meets with her core budget team before heading to the Rashtrapati Bhavan and obtaining ceremonial
approval for the documents from the President. She then attends the Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister around 10:15-10:40 AM in the Parliament premises, where the Budget receives the final approval of the Cabinet.

What Do Finance Officials Do?
The Chief Economic Adviser and senior finance officials from departments like Expenditure and Revenue have been in a "lock-in" since the Halwa Ceremony, which is held 5-10 days before the presentation. On the morning of Budget Day, the officials finalise the
prints at the ministry's secure press, hand over the documents to the Finance Minister, and accompany her to Parliament. The officials remain isolated until after the speech.

What Is The Role Of The Ministers?
Led by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet ministers convene for a brief meeting around 10:15 AM in Parliament House to look over and approve key proposals put forth in the Budget. This step precedes the start of the session. No other major ministerial actions
are recorded in the morning.

What Is The Pre-Session Sequence?
The Pre-Budget starts days before February. The Economic Survey, representing an in-depth evaluation of the Indian economy and its key macroeconomic indicators, is tabled. The Halwa Ceremony, one of the main traditions before the Budget, initiates the lock-in
of Finance Ministry officials. On the morning of February 1, the Finance Minister reaches North Block and later, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, to meet the President.

The Finance Minister travels with the Budget documents (often in a bahi-khata or tablet) to the Parliament. After a meeting with the Cabinet to obtain their approval, the Budget speech begins at 11 AM in the Lok Sabha, with the document detailing how the government
has allocated funds to each sector, its focus on certain industries, and its fiscal management policies. No immediate discussion follows the presentation.

What Happens Immediately After The Presentation?
After the Budget speech is completed around 1-2 PM, the Parliament adjourns without immediate debate, allowing time for members to review the document in detail. The Finance Minister traditionally briefs the Reserve Bank of India Board on key highlights such
as capital expenditure plans and fiscal targets. For public access, the Budget documents are uploaded online instantly. The markets react to the presentation and are often volatile in the afternoon session.

What About The General Discussion?
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha hold discussions on the Budget two or four days later, where MPs broadly critique the document. The Finance Minister replies to the comments, defending the policies of the government and elaborating on how the plans will boost
the country’s economic growth.