Source The economics Times
Mumbai: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) have announced that Indian stock markets will remain open for trading on Sunday, February 1, as the Union Budget for the financial year will be presented on that day.
In a joint communication, both exchanges confirmed that February 1 will be treated as a special working day for market participants to facilitate live trading and immediate reaction to Budget-related announcements. The decision follows the tradition of keeping markets open when the Union Budget is presented, even if it falls on a weekend.
Trading Schedule
According to the exchanges, trading will take place across all segments, including:
Equity
Equity derivatives
Currency derivatives
Commodity derivatives
Securities lending and borrowing (SLB)
The trading hours will remain the same as regular weekdays, ensuring seamless participation for investors, traders, and institutions.
Why It Matters
The Union Budget is considered one of the most market-sensitive events of the year, often triggering sharp movements across indices, sectors, and individual stocks. Keeping markets open allows:
Real-time price discovery
Immediate investor response to fiscal, taxation, and policy measures
Reduced volatility spillover to the next trading session
Market experts say the move provides transparency and efficiency, helping investors adjust portfolios without delay.
Past Precedent
Indian stock exchanges have followed a similar practice in the past when the Budget presentation coincided with weekends, underlining the importance of uninterrupted market access during major economic announcements.
With February 1 set as a working Sunday, traders and investors are gearing up for a high-volatility session as they closely track the government’s fiscal roadmap, growth priorities, and reform measures.
