There are barely 15 days left for the presentation of the country’s Union Budget 2026, and speculations regarding the budget are increasing. As always, the budget will be presented on February 1, but this year February 1 falls on a Sunday. This raised the question whether the stock markets would be closed or open for trading on that day. Now it has been confirmed.
NSE issued circular
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued an official circular regarding the market on Budget day, stating that the stock market will remain open on Sunday, February 1. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is going to present the budget in the Lok Sabha on 1 February. This news was also confirmed last week. As per tradition, the Cabinet Committee had recommended presenting the Budget on February 1, despite it being a Sunday. NSE said in its circular that due to the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1, 2026, the exchange will remain open and live trading sessions will be conducted as per standard market timings. Pre-open session will be from 09:00 AM to 09:08 AM. Normal trading hours will be 09:15 to 15:30. Trade modification time will be at 16:15.
Get ready for another Sunday trading session
This will not be the only time this year that the market will be open for trading on Sunday. This year, Diwali Muhurat trading session may also happen on Sunday. As per the exchange’s holiday list, the Muhurat trading session will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026. It is worth noting that the stock market was closed last Thursday itself due to voting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections in Mumbai. The exchanges had declared a holiday for this purpose.
nse holidays 2026
Looking at the full list of holidays for the year, the stock market will remain closed for a total of 15 days, out of which 4 holidays fall on Saturday or Sunday, when the market is already closed. The first holiday of 2026 will be on January 26 (Republic Day). live TV:
Most holidays in March
March 2026 will be the most holiday month for the stock market. The market will remain closed for a total of three days this month due to holidays: March 3 – Holi, March 26 – Shri Ram Navami, and March 31 – Shri Mahavir Jayanti. There will be no trading holidays in February, July and August, as national holidays fall on weekends in these months.