The Budget Session of Parliament begins today with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of both Houses, marking the formal start of one of the most significant legislative periods of the year.
The session, which will run in two phases, is expected to focus heavily on the Union Budget for 2026-27, along with key policy issues related to economic growth, infrastructure, employment and sustainability. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget on February 1. This year, the presentation falls on a Sunday, a relatively rare occurrence that calls for special parliamentary arrangements.
Ahead of the Budget, the Economic Survey, which reviews the performance of the economy and outlines key trends and challenges, is expected to be tabled in Parliament on January 29.
The schedule for the session was earlier approved by the President on the recommendation of the Government of India. The first phase will continue until February 13, after which Parliament will go into recess. The Houses will reassemble on March 9, with the session scheduled to conclude on April 2. In total, the Budget Session is set to have 30 sittings.
The two-phase format allows for initial debates on the Budget and major legislative business, followed by detailed scrutiny of demands for grants and policy proposals by Departmentally Related Standing Committees during the recess. The second phase will see further discussions and the passage of key financial bills.
The session comes at a crucial juncture for the government as it seeks to balance fiscal consolidation with growth-oriented spending. Issues such as capital expenditure, taxation policies, social sector funding and sector-specific reforms are expected to feature prominently in discussions.
Members of Parliament across party lines are likely to engage in extensive debates on public expenditure priorities, revenue mobilisation and measures to address emerging economic and social challenges.
