Budget 2026 Announcement on February 1: Trading Status of NSE and BSE on Sunday
Union Budget 2026-27 is set to be unveiled on February 1, a Sunday, prompting inquiries from investors regarding the operational status of stock markets. Traditionally, stock exchanges remain closed on weekends, leading to speculation about whether trading will occur on this significant day. However, both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) have confirmed that trading will proceed as usual, ensuring that investors can engage in market activities despite the unusual timing of the Budget presentation.
Trading Schedule on Budget Day
On February 1, the stock market will operate normally, with the BSE and NSE issuing circulars to confirm regular trading hours. The pre-open session is scheduled to start at 9:00 AM and will conclude at 9:08 AM, followed by equity market trading from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. While major segments such as equity, futures and options, and commodity derivatives will function as expected, the BSE has noted that certain specialized sessions will not take place. Specifically, trading in the T+0 Settlement Session and the Auction Session for settlement defaults will be suspended on this day. This decision marks a rare instance of trading on a Sunday, as both exchanges typically observe weekends and designated public holidays.
Operational Segments
On Budget day, core trading segments will remain active throughout the standard market hours. The BSE has reiterated that while regular trading will continue, the T+0 settlement session and auction session for settlement defaults will not be available. The NSE has also confirmed that capital markets and derivatives will operate normally, allowing investors to participate in trading activities without interruption. This decision reflects the importance of the Budget presentation and its potential impact on market dynamics.
Holiday Schedule for 2026
The decision to keep markets open on February 1 does not affect the overall holiday calendar for the stock exchanges in 2026. In addition to weekends, the markets will observe 16 public holidays throughout the year. Key holidays in the first half include Holi on March 3, Ram Navami on March 26, Mahavir Jayanti on March 31, and Good Friday on April 3. The latter half of the year will see trading suspended on Muharram (June 26), Ganesh Chaturthi (September 14), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), Dussehra (October 20), Diwali Balipratipada (November 10), and Guru Nanak Jayanti (November 24). The final market holiday of the year will be Christmas on December 25, marking the end of trading for 2026.
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