In an unprecedented move, Indian equity and commodity markets will remain open for trading on Sunday, February 1, 2026, as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget. The special weekend session will allow investors to react in real time to the government’s fiscal announcements — a rare occurrence in Indian market history.
This is only the second instance since Independence that the stock markets will operate on a Sunday. Last year, exchanges had opened on a Saturday for the presentation of the 2025 Union Budget.
Full-Day Trading Across Exchanges
According to official circulars from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), trading will follow regular weekday hours. The pre-open session will run from 9:00 am to 9:08 am, followed by continuous trade between 9:15 am and 3:30 pm. Trade modifications will be allowed until 4:15 pm.
With the Budget speech beginning at 11:00 am, market participants will track key announcements in taxation, fiscal policy, and sectoral allocations as they happen. Analysts expect brisk, sector-specific movements during the speech, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and defence.
Finance Minister Sitharaman’s speech will also mark her ninth consecutive Union Budget and the third full Budget under the Modi 3.0 government.
Commodity Markets to Mirror Live Action
Commodity traders will also be participating in Sunday’s market action. The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) has confirmed a live trading session from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a pre-open session starting at 8:45 am and client code modifications available until 5:15 pm.
Similarly, the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) will remain operational, allowing trading between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. The exchanges had earlier communicated these special arrangements to brokers and traders to ensure smooth operations.
This combined equity–commodity market opening creates a unique setup where investors can simultaneously adjust their portfolios across multiple asset classes as the Budget unfolds.
Market Sentiment Ahead of Budget 2026
The week leading up to Budget Day was marked by cautious optimism. Benchmark indices managed modest gains amid mixed global cues and domestic uncertainties.
Dr. Ravi Singh, Chief Research Officer at Master Capital Services Ltd, noted that the Nifty 50ended the week at 25,320.65, up nearly 1%, while the Sensex gained 0.90% to close at 82,269. Positive sentiment stemmed largely from the recently concluded India–EU Free Trade Agreement on January 27, which is expected to boost exports and lower tariffs on a broad range of goods.
“Despite encouraging signals from the trade deal, the markets couldn’t rally sharply,” Singh said. “Mixed corporate earnings, continued foreign institutional investor (FII) selling, and a weakening rupee have kept the upside limited.”
Technical Outlook: Buy on Dips
From a technical perspective, Singh indicated that benchmark indices remain below short-term moving averages, which signals near-term caution. However, both Nifty and Sensex levels are comfortably above their 200-day exponential moving averages (EMA), suggesting the broader trend remains constructive.
“The Nifty found support near its 55-day EMA, with the 24,900–24,300 range emerging as a strong base,” Singh said. “As long as this zone holds, a buy-on-dips approach is likely to work well. A decisive break below this level, however, may trigger renewed selling.”
On the higher side, he identified 25,450 as the first resistance level. A move above it could open the way for further gains toward 25,700.
Sectors to Watch
Last week’s market performance showed selective strength. Defence, energy, and oil and gas stocks led the rally, supported by expectations of higher government spending and policy incentives in the Budget. Pharma and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) shares, on the other hand, lagged behind due to sector-specific headwinds and muted earnings.
Public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the defence and infrastructure space are expected to attract particular attention this Budget season, given the government’s continued focus on self-reliance in manufacturing and strategic sectors.
Banking Stocks Show Healthy Rebound
The Bank Nifty index registered a gain of nearly 2% after rebounding from its 21-week EMA, hinting at a healthy technical pullback rather than a reversal. Singh view the 59,300–59,250 zone as an important downside support, while 60,000 serves as a psychological resistance level.
With high volatility expected, traders may prefer short-term strategies during the Budget session. “Any sudden policy surprises or fiscal slippages could cause intraday swings,” Singh cautioned, adding that high-frequency traders and institutional desks are likely to stay active throughout the Finance Minister’s speech.
Watching for Budget Cues
Historical data show that Budget Day market movements have often been modest compared to expectations. Over the past 15 years, the Nifty’s average move on Budget Day has remained relatively contained.
However, the 2026 session could see increased intraday action since the Budget is being presented on a Sunday, allowing investors from all segments—retail, institutional, and global—to adjust their portfolios in real time.
With both equity and commodity markets live simultaneously, February 1 promises to be one of the most closely tracked Sundays in India’s financial calendar. All eyes will be on how Finance Minister Sitharaman balances growth priorities with fiscal consolidation amid a complex global economic backdrop.
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by analysts and brokerages in this article are their own. Investors are advised to consult certified financial experts before making any investment decisions.)
