In a rare departure from the usual calendar, the stock market will be open for business on Sunday, Feb. 1, as the Union Budget is being presented on that day.
The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), in an official notification, confirmed that a special trading session will be conducted during regular market hours.
In a circular to members, the NSE detailed the standard market timings for the day. The pre-open session will run from 9 a.m. to 9:08 a.m., followed by the normal market schedule from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A random closure will occur in the last minute of the pre-open session.
Here are the timings which the NSE has announced for Feb. 1:
| Session | Start Time | End Time |
| Pre-Open Session* | 9 a.m. | 9:08 a.m. |
| Normal Market Session | 9:15 a.m. | 3:30 p.m. |
| Block Deal Session-1 | 8:45 a.m. | 9 a.m. |
| Special Pre-Open Session (IPO & Relisted Securities)** | 9 a.m. | 9:45 a.m. |
| Call Auction Illiquid Session# | 9:30 a.m. | 3:30 p.m. |
| Block Deal Session – 2 | 2:05 p.m. | 2:20 p.m. |
| Post-Closing Session | 3:40 p.m. | 4 p.m. |
| Trade Modification Cut-off | Up to 4:15 p.m. |
*Random closure in the last one minute of the pre-open session.
** Random closure in the last ten minutes
# Random closure in the last one minute of order entry, i.e., between the 44th and 45th minute.
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The T+0, or same-day settlement, facility will not be available on Feb. 1 due to a settlement holiday. As a result, all trades executed during the special Budget Day session will be settled under the standard settlement cycle.
The Union Budget is among the most closely watched economic events on the calendar. It sets out the government's approach to taxes, public spending, fiscal management, and growth priorities.
Its proposals have an immediate bearing on companies, sectors, and market mood. Allowing markets to remain open on Budget Day enables prices to adjust in real time, avoiding pent-up reactions and sharper volatility once trading resumes.
Projections of future earnings and economic expansion drive equity markets. Budget proposals can reshape these outlooks by altering taxation, spending priorities, subsidies, and fiscal deficit targets.
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Investor response often hinges not just on the measures unveiled, but on whether they meet or defy expectations. Movements in the Nifty often offer a clear gauge of how markets respond during and after the Budget.
Budget Day trading is typically marked by elevated risk, as sharp swings can unfold within minutes. While short-term traders may seek to capitalise on heightened volatility, abrupt turnarounds are not uncommon. Longer-term investors are usually better served by assessing how policy measures influence underlying business fundamentals rather than chasing immediate market moves.
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