Parliament’s Budget Session to begin on 28 January and run until 2 April with a mid-session recess
India’s Budget Session is scheduled to open on 28 January 2026 with the President’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the session will continue until 2 April, with a recess from 13 February to 9 March.
Budget Session timeline and opening day agenda
The Budget Session of Parliament is set to begin on 28 January 2026 and continue until 2 April 2026, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The schedule includes a recess from 13 February to 9 March, after which Parliament is expected to reconvene to take up the second part of the session.
The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, a customary opening that outlines the government’s broad priorities and legislative direction. The Budget Session is also the most significant parliamentary sitting for fiscal policy, with key economic documents expected to be tabled during this period.
Economic Survey and Union Budget: what to expect
During the session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to table the Economic Survey and present the general Budget. While the traditional calendar points to early February as the centrepiece for the Budget, reporting noted the complication that 1 February 2026 falls on a Sunday this year, leaving the precise presentation timing as a point of attention.
The Budget Session typically becomes a focal point for political contestation as well. Opposition parties often use the period to challenge the government on economic management, price trends, jobs, taxation, federal issues and social policy, while the government seeks to defend its macro strategy and push its legislative programme through both Houses.
Why the calendar matters
The length of the session, along with the built-in recess, determines how much legislative business can be completed, including debate time for fiscal proposals and scrutiny of ministry-wise demands. It also sets the rhythm for how quickly any tax changes, welfare measures or capital spending announcements translate into parliamentary approvals and subsequent administrative action.
- Session dates: 28 January 2026 to 2 April 2026
- Recess: 13 February 2026 to 9 March 2026
- Opening day: President’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses
- Key fiscal documents: Economic Survey and Union Budget