In a break from the standard Monday-to-Friday schedule, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will hold a full-fledged trading session to allow real-time investor reaction to Budget announcements. The session will follow regular weekday timings, with the pre-open from 9:00 AM to 9:08 AM and normal trading from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM.
A Rare Sunday Session: Historical Precedent
This weekend opening is a significant exception. Stock exchanges have traditionally remained closed on weekends, with historical data showing only 5 to 7 notable instances of weekend trading since the shift to electronic systems. These exceptions are typically reserved for major events like Union Budget announcements or technical disaster recovery drills.
Budget-Driven Openings: Markets previously opened on a Saturday for the Union Budget in 2015 and 2020.
The Last Sunday Opening: The only other Sunday trading session in independent India's history occurred on February 28, 1999, during the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Symbolic vs. Live Sessions: Unlike the symbolic one-hour "Muhurat Trading" on Diwali, this will be a complete live trading session across equity, derivatives, and currency segments.
Comparing Recent Weekend Market Sessions
| Year | Day | Reason for Opening | Session Type |
| 2026 | Sunday | Union Budget 2026 | Full Live Session |
| 2025 | Saturday | Union Budget 2025 | Full Live Session |
| 2020 | Saturday | Union Budget 2020 | Full Live Session |
| 1999 | Sunday | Union Budget 1999 | Full Live Session |
What Investors Need to Know: Trading Rules and Settlement Impact
While trading will function normally, critical settlement and banking operations will not, creating unique rules for the day.
It's a Settlement Holiday: Sunday remains a settlement holiday. All trades executed will be settled on the next working day, Monday, February 2.
No Same-Day (T+0) Settlement: The specialized T+0 settlement session will be suspended.
BTST Restrictions: Shares bought on Friday, January 30, cannot be sold on Sunday (Buy Today, Sell Tomorrow). They can only be sold on Monday once settlement cycles begin.
Banking Limitations: As banks are closed on Sunday, fund transfers via traditional channels may be delayed. Investors are advised to use UPI or instant transfer facilities for smoother trading.
Market Expectations and Strategic Outlook
The Budget will be presented at 11 AM in the Lok Sabha, with markets open throughout the speech. This is Finance Minister Sitharaman's ninth consecutive Budget and the third full Budget of the Modi 3.0 government.
Analysts suggest investors temper expectations for dramatic single-day moves. Historical data from the past 15 years shows the Nifty's average movement on Budget day is a muted 0.19%. Markets often consolidate on the day itself, with larger trends materializing in the week following the Budget as details are digested.
The decision to keep markets open underscores a modern approach to major policy events, enabling immediate price discovery and aligning with global practices where investors can react to news in real-time.
As Dalal Street prepares for this historic Sunday, investors should plan their trades with an awareness of the special settlement rules and view the session as an opportunity to respond strategically to the government's fiscal roadmap for the coming year.
