Budget 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman Honours Tamil Heritage With Kanjeevaram Silk Saree; Check Her Iconic Looks Over The Years

Budget 2026: For her record-breaking ninth consecutive Union Budget speech on Sunday, February 1, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman honoured Tamil Nadu's age-old weaving heritage by donning a handwoven Kanjeevaram silk saree. The purple-coloured Kattam Kanjeevaram saree featured light golden-brown checks, traditionally known as ‘kattam’ in Tamil, with a coffee-brown border and intricate thread work.

Over the years, Nirmala Sitharaman’s attire has garnered as much attention as the Union Budget speech itself. Each of her sartorial choices serves as a tribute to India’s diverse regions and a celebration of local weavers, crafts and textile heritage.

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Here's a look at the iconic sarees Nirmala Sitharaman has worn at previous Budget sessions.

Budget 2026: For her ninth consecutive budget speech on Sunday, February 1, Finance Minister wore a handwoven Kanjeevaram silk saree. The saree is purple-coloured Kattam Kanjeevaram, with light golden brown checks, aka Kattam, and a coffee brown border with thread work.

Budget 2025: The Finance Minister presented the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year in an off-white handloom silk saree adorned with fish-themed embroidery and a golden border. The design served as a tribute to the Madhubani art.

Budget 2024: While presenting the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, Sitharaman donned a classic white silk saree with a purple and gold border.

Interim Budget 2024: She opted for a blue tussar silk saree featuring traditional Kantha handiwork from West Bengal while presenting the 2024 interim budget ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Budget 2023: For the 2023 budget presentation, the Finance Minister chose a red and black temple-border saree from Karnataka with traditional Kasuti threadwork.

Budget 2022: Presenting the Union Budget 2022, Sitharaman wore a rust-brown Bomkai saree from Odisha, with off-white border detailing.

Budget 2021: In 2021, Nirmala Sitharaman presented the budget in a red and off-white Pochampally silk saree from Telangana, with ikat patterns and a contrasting green border.

Budget 2020: For the 2020 Union Budget presentation, she wore a vibrant yellow-gold silk saree, reflecting prosperity and auspicious beginnings.

Budget 2019: For her first budget presentation in 2019, she opted for a simple yet elegant pink Mangalagiri silk saree with a gold border.