Budget Session 2026 Begins: Economic Survey on January 29, Union Budget on February 1 — Key Dates, Sectors, Bills and What to Expect

The Budget Session of Parliament 2026 officially commenced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, setting the stage for the presentation of the Economic Survey of India and the Union Budget 2026–27. The session, which will span 65 days, is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, April 2, 2026, and will comprise 30 sittings across two phases.

The Budget Session opened with a joint address by the President of India to both Houses of Parliament — the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha — marking the formal start of the annual financial exercise.

President’s Address Opens Budget Session 2026

The session began at 11:00 am on January 28, with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of Parliament. In her address, the President highlighted India’s achievements across multiple sectors, underscoring progress in governance, development, and national priorities.

This address traditionally outlines the government’s broad policy direction ahead of the Budget and sets the tone for legislative business in the session.

Economic Survey of India 2026: Date and Timing

The Economic Survey of India, which provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of the Indian economy, will be presented on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 11:00 am in Parliament.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Survey, a day ahead of the Union Budget, as per convention. The Survey offers crucial insights into macroeconomic trends, growth projections, fiscal challenges, and sector-wise performance.

Union Budget 2026–27 to Be Presented on February 1

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026–27 on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:00 am in the Lok Sabha.

This will be her ninth consecutive Union Budget, a record in Indian parliamentary history. The Budget is expected to introduce key reform measures aimed at boosting economic growth, particularly amid volatile geopolitical conditions and global economic uncertainty.

Budget Session 2026: Structure and Timeline

The Budget Session will be held in two parts, allowing parliamentary committees time to scrutinise expenditure proposals.

Session Breakdown:

• First Part: January 28 to February 13, 2026 (13 sittings)

• Recess: February 13 to March 9, 2026

• Second Part: March 9 to April 2, 2026 (17 sittings)

During the recess, Standing Committees will examine the Demands for Grants of various Ministries and Departments and submit their reports.

Total Session Details:

• Total sittings: 30

• Total duration: 65 days

• Conclusion: April 2, 2026 (sine die adjournment of both Houses)

Budget 2026: Key Dates at a Glance

• January 28, 2026: Budget Session begins; President’s joint address

• January 29, 2026: Economic Survey tabled at 11 am

• February 1, 2026: Union Budget 2026 presented at 11 am

• February 13, 2026: First half of Budget Session ends

• March 9, 2026: Second half of Budget Session begins

• April 2, 2026: Budget Session concludes

Key Sectors to Watch in Union Budget 2026

The India Budget 2026 is expected to focus on accelerating economic growth and strengthening India’s global standing, with allocations likely across several strategic sectors.

Major Focus Sectors:

• Defence

• Railways

• Infrastructure

• Urban development

• Manufacturing

• MSMEs

• Auto sector

• Electronics

• Renewable energy

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology

Other Priority Areas:

• Agriculture

• Healthcare

• Tourism

• Logistics

• Direct and indirect taxation

These sectors are expected to receive targeted policy support and financial allocations to drive employment, innovation, and sustainable development.

Political Flashpoints During Budget Session

The session is expected to witness intense political confrontations, with the Congress-led Opposition preparing to corner the government on several contentious issues, including:

• The VB-G RAM G Act

• Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

• Foreign policy concerns

• Environmental issues

The government has rejected Opposition demands for discussions on these matters, indicating potential disruptions during parliamentary proceedings.

Key Bills in the Budget Session 2026

No new Bills have been officially listed by the government so far for this session. However, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has identified nine pending Bills, including:

• Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill

• Securities Markets Code, which is currently under scrutiny by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance

These Bills may be taken up subject to committee recommendations and parliamentary consensus.

Recap: What Happened in Budget 2025?

In the Union Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a major relief to taxpayers:

• Income tax exemption raised to ₹12 lakh

• For salaried individuals, non-taxable income increased to ₹12.75 lakh after standard deduction

• Announcement of the New Income Tax Act, 2025, effective from April 1

These measures benefited millions of middle-class taxpayers and marked a significant shift in India’s tax regime.

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Outlook for Budget 2026

With its economic reform agenda, sectoral push, and geopolitical context, the Union Budget 2026–27 is expected to play a crucial role in shaping India’s growth trajectory. As Parliament debates policies, allocations, and legislation over the coming weeks, all eyes will remain on February 1 for key announcements.