When the Union Budget 2026 is presented on Sunday, it will mark the ninth consecutive budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a record in itself.
Stock exchanges NSE and BSE and commodity exchanges MCX and NCDEX will open during regular market hours for trading on Sunday in view of Budget 2026.
What to expect?
The finance minister is set to unveil measures that ensure growth rate and fiscal discipline. Amid US tariffs and other frictions in global trade, Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to come up with reforms that can buffer the economy from such external factors.
The government is facing pressure to bolster consumption and speed up job creation at home as well. However, cuts on income tax and GST has reduced the government revenue that could support the Union budget.
There are reports suggesting the Centre may raise excise duty on petrol and diesel to shore up depleted revenues. However, it is not confirmed if the price hike would be transferred to the consumers or adjusted against the retail price cut that was warranted when global oil prices slumped in 2025.
Another key agenda would be to simplify regulations and implement structural reforms to woo domestic and foreign investors.
It would also be interesting to see what Nirmala Sitharaman has in store for election-bound states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam.
Everyone will also keenly watch the spending on key schemes like G RAM G (formerly MNREGA), as well as key sectors like health and education.
