As preparations for the Union Budget 2025-26, typically presented on 1 February, are in full swing, all eyes are now on the official confirmation from the government regarding the presentation of the budget over the weekend this year. There have been instances in the past when the Union Budget was presented on Saturdays while domestic stock markets remained open.
On 1 February 2020 and 28 February 2015, the markets were open on Saturday due to the presentation of the Union Budget.
In a circular dated 23 December, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has already announced that, due to the Union Budget presentation, a special trading session will be held on Saturday, 1 February 2025.
The pre-open session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:08 a.m., followed by the regular trading session from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"On account of the presentation of the Union Budget, the Exchange shall conduct a live trading session on 1 February 2025, as per the standard market timings," the circular states.
On 1 February 2024, the Nifty closed with a decline of 0.13 per cent during the presentation of the interim budget.
On the day of the full budget, presented on 23 July 2024 after the Lok Sabha elections, the Nifty closed with a decline of 0.12 per cent.
Meanwhile, the government will continue its focus on enhancing quality spending, strengthening the social security net, and reducing the fiscal deficit to 4.5 per cent of GDP for the financial year 2025-2026, according to a statement from the Finance Ministry.
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