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The Indian stock markets — including the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) — are open for trading today, despite February 1 falling on a Sunday. This marks a rare exception to the usual weekend market holiday as the country observes the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at 11 AM.

Unusual Weekend Trading on Budget Day
Traditionally, Indian stock exchanges remain closed on weekends and public holidays. However, in view of the Budget’s significance for economic policy, both the BSE and NSE issued special circulars declaring February 1 a special trading day. This allows investors and traders to respond to budget announcements in real time rather than waiting for markets to reopen on Monday.

Market Timings and Schedule
The exchanges are following their standard trading hours for today’s session:

Pre-open session: 9:00 AM to 9:08 AM

Normal trading: 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM
(Trade modifications and settlements follow usual rules, with some settlement exceptions due to the weekend timing.)

Why Markets Are Open Despite Being a Sunday?

The decision to keep Dalal Street open on a Sunday is driven by the importance of the Union Budget to market sentiment and investment decisions. Budget announcements often impact key sectors such as banking, infrastructure, defence, manufacturing and consumption — prompting immediate reactions from investors. By holding a live trading session, exchanges aim to ensure efficient price discovery and allow traders to adjust portfolios without delay.

Historical Context

This is only the second instance in independent India where the stock markets have opened on a Sunday for a Budget presentation. The last such occasion dates back to February 28, 1999. Recently, the 2025 Budget was presented on a Saturday, and markets were likewise kept open for trading.

Investor Caution Advised

Market experts have noted that Budget Day sessions can be highly volatile, with sharp price movements common as participants react to policy announcements and fiscal changes. Investors are advised to trade with caution and avoid making hasty decisions based solely on intraday news.