Union Budget 2026 Live: How to Watch CNBC TV18 & Market Updates

Today is a historic day for the Indian economy and the stock market. For the first time in years, the stock markets (BSE and NSE) are open on a Sunday. This special trading session is happening because Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget 2026 today.

Everyone from traders to common taxpayers is searching for “CNBC Live” to catch the Finance Minister’s speech and see how the market reacts in real-time. If you want to know how to watch the live stream, what is happening in the stock market right now, and the key highlights of the Budget, this guide covers everything.

Why is CNBC TV18 Live Trending Today?

Usually, the stock markets are closed on weekends. However, since February 1, 2026, falls on a Sunday, the exchange authorities decided to keep the market open. This allows investors to react immediately to the Budget announcements.

CNBC-TV18 is India’s leading business news channel, and millions are tuning in to track the Sensex and Nifty movements tick-by-tick. The channel provides expert analysis, explaining how new policies will affect your wallet and your portfolio.

Read more: Delhi News

How to Watch CNBC Live (Streaming Options)

You do not need a cable connection to watch the Budget presentation. Here are the easiest ways to watch CNBC-TV18 live on your phone or laptop:

• YouTube Live: The official CNBC-TV18 YouTube channel streams the Budget speech and market commentary for free.
• JioTV App: If you are a Jio user, you can watch the channel live on the JioTV app without any extra subscription.
• News18 & Moneycontrol Apps: These platforms also host the live feed with real-time text updates running at the bottom of the screen.
• Official Government Channels: For the raw speech without commentary, you can also tune into Sansad TV or the PIB India YouTube channel.

Live Market Updates: How is the Market Reacting?

The market sentiment has been cautious today. In the pre-open session, the benchmark indices showed mixed signals. Here is a quick summary of the market action so far on this special Sunday session:

• Sensex and Nifty: The markets opened slightly lower as investors waited for major announcements. Volatility is very high.
• Top Gainers: Stocks like Sun Pharma, Bharat Electronics (BEL), and Power Grid showed positive movement in early trade.
• Top Losers: IT stocks, including Infosys and Tech Mahindra, faced some selling pressure.
• Sector Performance: The “Nifty Metal” index saw a sharp drop, while the Auto and Consumer Durable sectors held steady.

Experts on CNBC have advised traders to stay calm and not trade aggressively until the full Budget speech is over.

Key Highlights of Union Budget 2026 (Live Updates)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has started her speech. Here are some of the major breaking updates being discussed on CNBC Live:

1. Capex Increase: The government has increased the Capital Expenditure (Capex) target to ₹12.2 lakh crore for FY27. This is good news for infrastructure companies.
2. Railways: New high-speed rail corridors have been announced to improve connectivity between major economic cities.
3. Agriculture: A new multilingual AI tool is being launched to help farmers, along with special support for digital agriculture.
4. Health: The government plans to set up “Nimhans 2.0” to improve mental health care access, especially in North India.

What Happens Next?

The market will remain open for normal trading hours today (till 3:30 PM). Once the Finance Minister finishes her speech, market experts expect a sharp move—either up or down—depending on the final tax announcements.

If you are an investor, keep an eye on the Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax rules, as rumors of changes have kept the market on edge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)