Union Budget 2025: Markets Open on Saturday, February 1

The Union Budget is just around the corner, set to be presented on February 1, which happens to fall on a Saturday this year. Normally, markets take a breather on weekends, but this time they’re making an exception. Equity markets will run on their usual schedule, closing at 3:30 PM, while commodity derivatives trading will continue until 5 PM to ensure traders and investors can respond to the big announcements.

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This decision wasn’t a surprise, however. Back in December, CNBC-TV18 reported that exchanges were discussing the idea of keeping markets open on Budget day, even though it’s a Saturday. Given how significant the Union Budget is for the economy and markets, it makes sense to keep trading open.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the Budget has been presented on a Saturday. In 2015, February 28 fell on a Saturday, and the markets stayed open. But in 2016-2017, when the Budget was presented on Saturday, February 27, markets remained closed. It seems practices have varied over the years.

This year’s February 1 presentation continues the newer tradition of unveiling the Budget earlier in the year. Before 2017, the Union Budget used to be presented on the last day of February. The change was made to give ministries more time to allocate funds effectively throughout the fiscal year.

Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, will deliver her eighth consecutive Budget this year, an impressive streak.

Behind the scenes, the Department of Economic Affairs, a division of the Finance Ministry, has been working tirelessly to prepare the massive set of documents. The Union Budget is more than just numbers—it’s a detailed look at the government’s financial plans, including spending, revenue projections, and new initiatives for the coming year.

The Budget isn’t just for economists and policymakers; it’s something everyone watches closely. It impacts industries, taxation, government schemes, and even day-to-day costs for regular citizens. People are eager to see how it addresses pressing issues like inflation, job creation, and economic growth.

As February 1 approaches, the excitement is building. The Union Budget is more than an economic update—it’s a moment that sets the tone for India’s financial future, and this year is no exception.