Budget 2026: Why is the budget always presented on February 1? Learn the reason behind it.:With the beginning of each new year, the nation's attention is focused on a special day.

News Topical, Digital Desk : With the beginning of each new year, the nation's attention is focused on a special day when the government presents its future economic plans to the entire nation. Discussion about the general budget intensifies, from ordinary people to celebrities.

Every sector has certain expectations from the Union Budget. This year too, the budget will be presented on February 1st. But amidst all this, one question often comes to people's mind: why has February 1st been chosen as the date for the budget, and what is the reason behind it?

A tradition dating back to the British era

The date for presenting the Indian budget hasn't always been February 1st. Until 2017, the Union Budget was presented in Parliament on the last day of February. This practice dates back to the British rule.

This continued for a long time after independence. For decades, the budget was presented under this tradition. In 2017, the Modi government at the Centre decided to change this old system.

New arrangement for presenting the budget on February 1

In 2017, then-Finance Minister Arun Jaitley initiated a change in the budget date, moving it from the end of February to February 1. The government believed this change would provide additional time for better financial implementation.

Since the new financial year begins on April 1st, budget discussion and approval previously took considerable time. Plans often faced delays due to lack of timely budget approval. Now, the budget is presented on February 1st, giving the government sufficient time to make necessary decisions and release funds.

Mutual fund investors hope for relief

Mutual fund investors have high expectations from the government in Budget 2026-27. AMFI, the mutual fund companies' association, has submitted its recommendations to the Finance Ministry, placing special emphasis on increasing middle-class savings.

The organization has urged the central government to provide long-term investment incentives and tax relief to retail investors. If the government implements these suggestions, small and medium-sized investors could directly benefit.