India is witnessing one of its most important financial events of the year — the Union Budget 2026. The country, already recognized as one of the fastest-growing large economies, is now facing crucial questions about spending, taxation, and growth. Investors, businesses, and ordinary citizens are watching closely as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the budget in Parliament.
This marks her ninth consecutive budget presentation, a record in itself. The atmosphere is charged, with both the Sensex and Nifty — India’s two benchmark equity indices — under the spotlight.
Stock Market Open on Sunday – A Rare Event
Usually, the stock market remains closed on weekends. But today is different. Since the budget is being presented on a Sunday, both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced a special live trading session.
- Trading hours remain the same: 9:15 am to 3:30 pm.
- This rare move allows investors to react instantly to budget announcements.
- Market participants believe this will increase transparency and reduce speculation.
Such a decision highlights how significant the Union Budget 2026 is for the economy.
Market Mood Before the Budget
Ahead of the budget speech, markets showed mixed emotions. On Friday, after a three-day rally, both Sensex and Nifty slipped in early trade:
- Sensex fell by 619 points to 81,947.
- Nifty dropped 171 points to 25,247.
This decline reflected investor caution. Traders were waiting to see whether the government would focus more on growth or fiscal discipline.
Where the Money Went Last Year
Looking back at Budget 2025, we can see which sectors received the largest allocations:
- Defence: ₹4,91,732 crore
- Rural Development: ₹2,66,817 crore
- Home Affairs: ₹2,33,211 crore
- Education: ₹1,28,650 crore
- Health: ₹98,311 crore
- Energy: ₹81,174 crore
These figures show the government’s priorities — balancing national security, rural welfare, and social development.
Breaking News: Sun Pharma Shines
One of the Daily news highlights today is the performance of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. The company’s shares jumped nearly 4% after reporting a 16% rise in net profit for the third quarter of FY2025.
- Profit stood at ₹3,369 crore.
- Growth was driven by strong performance across business segments.
- Sun Pharma became one of the top gainers on both BSE and NSE.
This shows how corporate earnings can influence market sentiment even on budget day.
Expert Views – Volatility Ahead
Market experts are warning of sharp movements. Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said:
- Markets may remain highly volatile.
- Fiscal deficit target is expected around 4.3–4.4% of GDP.
- Announcements on infrastructure, taxation, and incentives could swing stocks either way.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments, added:
- Expectations are balanced between growth support and fiscal prudence.
- Cyclical sectors may benefit if policies favor them.
- IT and export-oriented stocks remain sensitive to global cues.
Gainers and Losers in Sensex
Among the 30 Sensex firms:
- Gainers: Sun Pharma, Bharat Electronics, Power Grid, NTPC, HDFC Bank.
- Losers: Infosys, Tata Steel, Tech Mahindra, and Eternal.
This mix shows how sector-specific policies and earnings reports influence stock movements.
Technology and AI Expectations
With global buzz around AI hardware and data centers, the tech industry is hoping for:
- Tax incentives for AI and robotics innovation.
- Policy support for building large-scale data centers.
- Measures to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure.
If these expectations are met, technology could become one of the biggest winners of Union Budget 2026.
What Investors Are Watching
On this Budget day, investors are keeping an eye on:
- Fiscal Deficit Numbers – Will the government stick to discipline?
- Capex Push – Infrastructure spending could boost construction and allied industries.
- Tax Announcements – Any relief for individuals or corporates will directly impact sentiment.
- Sector Incentives – Agriculture, healthcare, and technology are likely to be in focus.
