Budget 2026: The Union Budget 2026 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:00 AM IST. The Budget, which falls on a Sunday for the first time since 2013, will lead to special stock exchange trading because markets need to show their actual response to the Budget. Many people make financial decisions before Budget Day because government policy changes directly affect price rates, taxation rules, and investment patterns.
Things to Buy Before Budget 2026
People start buying items before the budget because they expect that the upcoming budget announcements will raise taxes and customs duties:
- Imported Luxury Goods: The price of high-end watches, designer clothing, and premium footwear will increase if customs duties are raised to support domestic production.
- Foreign Cars & Cosmetics: Importers of luxury cars, which arrive as complete built units, and high-end beauty products face increased taxation rates.
- Electronic Components: Duty reductions will apply to components, while finished imported electronics will experience price increases, which customers should purchase now to prevent unexpected costs.
- Gold and Silver: Precious metals demonstrate strong market reactions to changes in customs duties. The government will impose duty restrictions, which will result in price increases following the Budget announcement.
Things to Do Before Budget Day
Financial professionals recommend that people finish essential financial planning tasks, which will help them reduce risks while gaining financial advantages:
- Utilise Existing Tax Deductions: Those under the Old Tax Regime should maximise Section 80C and 80D benefits before any policy shift favouring the New Regime.
- Review SIPs and Investments: Investors should maintain their emotional balance while assessing their investments in sectors that show a strong response to Budget changes, particularly infrastructure, defence, and railways.
- Prepare for Market Volatility: The stock market will experience downward trends after the budget announcement, so investors should maintain cash reserves and create a list of stocks that they want to purchase during the budget day market drops.
- Home loan planning: The process requires potential buyers to wait for the budget details because they anticipate better interest deduction limits.
- Reduce Leverage: The Budget Day trading process requires Backers to control their debt by reducing all exposed liabilities.
Key Expectations to Watch
The following elements serve as essential points for monitoring during the event.
- Standard Deduction: The New Tax Regime will increase the standard deduction from ₹75,000 to ₹1,00,000.
- Capital Gains (LTCG): The exemption limit for Capital Gains (LTCG) assessments will increase from ₹1.25 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh, according to expert predictions.
- Sectors in Focus: The government will spend 100 billion dollars to develop its infrastructure system, which includes defense facilities, artificial intelligence systems, and green energy projects.
- Tax Slabs: The tax slabs will maintain their current structure because businesses received substantial tax reductions during the 2025 fiscal year.
Disclaimer- This is for informational purposes only; readers should consult financial advisors before making investment or purchase decisions.
