The Indian stock exchanges will remain open on Sunday, February 1, 2026, despite it being a Sunday. The Special Trading Session is conducted, as Finance Minister Shri. Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Parliament. This trading session allows investors and traders to react to budget announcements in real-time, instead of waiting for the next trading session, as these announcements often have significant implications on various sectors and companies.
Participating Markets
The National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) will facilitate a live trading session on Sunday, February 1, 2026, across the Equity, Derivatives (F&O), and Commodity market segments.
Trading Timings
Equity and F&O Markets:
Pre-open Session: 9:00 AM to 9:08 AM
Normal Market: 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM
Commodity Markets:
Special Session: 8:45 AM to 8:59 AM
Normal Market: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Important Settlement and Considerations
Investors and Traders need to keep certain settlement-related factors in mind during this special trading session:
- Settlement Holiday on February 1, 2026: Credit and proceeds from sell transactions made on January 30, 2026, will not be available for trading on February 1, 2025. These will be settled on February 2, 2026.
- Stocks Bought on January 30, 2026: Shares purchased on January 30, 2026, will not be available for sale on February 1, 2026.
- Withdrawal Requests: Withdrawal requests placed after 8:00 AM on January 30, 2026, will only be processed on February 2, 2026.
The markets will be open on Sunday, not for the first time, but for the second time on February 1, 2026. The market will operate on a Sunday after 26 years, as the last time the budget was presented on a Sunday was 28 February 1999, when then-Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha presented the Budget during the Vajpayee government. Only in 1999, the budget was presented at 11 am, whereas before this, the Union Budget was presented at 5 pm. This happens rarely because Parliament hardly meets on Sundays, and at that time, the markets reacted to this unusual scheduling.
To ensure real-time price discovery and allow investors to respond immediately to key fiscal announcements, both the National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange have scheduled a full-fledged trading session on Budget Day in 2026.
What this Means for Investors and Traders
- Can react to spending measures, tax adjustments, and policy statements, which may all be priced in as soon as they are announced during the budget address.
- Live price discovery during the budget speech equals the Markets reacting in real time, without waiting for the next trading session.
- Participants should be prepared, as budget days often see sharp intraday fluctuations as expectations adjust to new policy details.
- Review portfolio holdings, since increased activity may be observed in stocks and sectors that are directly impacted by budgetary measures.
- Traders and investors should plan positions, settlements, and withdrawals carefully amid higher volatility.
