From her first Union Budget in 2019 to her ninth presentation in 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has steadily turned Budget Day into a quiet showcase of India’s handloom traditions. Each year, her saree has reflected a different region, technique, or craft legacy which has often drawn attention as much as the Budget speech itself.
ANI
2026 | Kanchipuram silk, Tamil Nadu
For Budget 2026, Sitharaman opted for a deep magenta-maroon Kanchipuram silk saree, which highlighted the rich weaving tradition of South India. The saree had kattam (checks) in mustard yellow, along with a coffee-brown border and thread work. This outfit was largely interpreted as a nod to the silk-weaving tradition of Tamil Nadu, which has been practicing this craft for centuries.
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2025 | Madhubani hand-painted silk, Bihar
In 2025, the finance minister wore an off-white handloom silk saree adorned with hand-painted Madhubani art. Gifted by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi, the saree featured fish motifs symbolising prosperity and abundance, highlighting the artistic legacy of Bihar’s Mithila region.
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2024 | Tussar silk with Kantha embroidery, West Bengal
For the 2024 Budget, Sitharaman opted for a blue tussar silk saree accented with delicate Kantha embroidery. The running stitch, deeply rooted in Bengal’s folk tradition, added a narrative quality to the ensemble, reflecting everyday stories through textile art.
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2023 | Kasuti embroidery silk, Karnataka
In 2023, she appeared in a bright red silk saree with a black-and-gold temple border, detailed with Kasuti embroidery. This folk embroidery style from Karnataka is known for its intricate geometric and symbolic motifs, lending cultural depth to the look.
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2022 | Bomkai saree, Odisha
The 2022 Budget saw Sitharaman in a rust-brown and maroon Bomkai saree from Odisha. Known for its tribal motifs and elaborate borders, the Bomkai weave reflects the textile heritage of the Ganjam district and eastern India’s handloom identity.
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2021 | Pochampally Ikat, Telangana
In 2021, she chose a red and off-white Pochampally Ikat saree, marked by bold geometric patterns typical of Telangana’s “Silk City.” The vibrant design offered a contemporary edge to one of India’s most recognisable ikat traditions.
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2020 | Yellow silk saree during pandemic year
Against the backdrop of the early Covid-19 crisis, Sitharaman wore a bright yellow-gold silk saree with a blue border in 2020. The colour yellow, often associated with hope and renewal, was widely interpreted as a symbolic nod to resilience during uncertain times.
Over the years, Sitharaman’s Budget Day attire has evolved into a consistent statement, using a national platform to spotlight regional weaves, artisans, and indigenous craft traditions, without overt symbolism or spectacle.
