PM Modi to meet economists, sectoral experts to elicit views on Union Budget 2025-26

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold consultations with eminent economists and sectoral experts on Tuesday to seek their views and suggestions for the Union Budget 2025-26, PTI reported quoting a senior government official. The high-profile meeting, aimed at gathering inputs for the annual financial statement, will also be attended by Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and other members of the government think tank, according to the report.

The consultation comes as part of the government's pre-Budget exercise, which typically involves interactions with stakeholders from various sectors to formulate policies and allocations.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is slated to present the Budget for 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha on February 1, 2025.

The stock exchanges will remain open for trading on February 1, 2025, which is falling on a Saturday. The special trading session will provide investors an opportunity to immediately react to budget announcements that are expected to have sector-wide and company-specific implications.

"On account of the presentation of the Union Budget, Exchange shall be conducting live trading session on Saturday, February 01, 2025, as per the standard market timings...," the National Stock Exchange said in a release.

The Bombay Stock Exchange issued a similar circular.

This is not the first time Indian stock markets will open for trading on a Saturday for budget announcements. Similar sessions were held on February 1, 2020, and February 28, 2015.