New Delhi, Jan. 6 -- The countdown to the Union Budget has begun, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expected to present Budget 2026 on 1 February, as she has done in the previous years.

This time, however, the date falls on a weekend, leading to some confusion over whether the Budget presentation will be rescheduled. Traditionally, the government has stuck to 1 February even when it falls on a weekend.

In response to the situation, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has clarified that the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs will decide the final date at an appropriate time.

Presenting the Union Budget on a weekend is not unusual, though. In fact, the 2025 budget was presented on a Saturday. Former Finance Ministe...