Budget 2026: Markets Brace for Volatility

The Indian government will present the Union Budget 2026 on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

This is the first time since 2000 that the budget is being presented on a weekend.

The government chose this date to give ministers more time to work without interruptions and to allow investors to analyze the budget announcements before the markets open on Monday.

The stock markets will be closed on January 26, 2026, for Republic Day.

Analysts have mixed views on the market's direction, with some expecting a downtrend to continue and others believing the market is close to bottoming out.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have been selling shares, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) have been buying.

The rupee has also been falling, which could affect FPI returns.

The budget is expected to focus on AI, infrastructure, defense, and support for spending.

Investors will be watching the budget announcements closely to see how they might impact the market.