FM Nirmala Sitharaman's budget sarees: A timeline linking fashion, heritage and elections
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's saree on Budget Day is more than just fashion; it's a statement of culture. The Kanjeevaram saree celebrates centuries of Indian weaving and adds heritage to the historic ninth consecutive Budget presentation.
Every year, the focus on Union Budget Day is usually on numbers, policies, and tax proposals. But over the past several years, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has added another interesting element: her saree choice.
Each Budget Day, she picks a saree that reflects regional handloom traditions, celebrates India’s textile heritage, and sometimes coincides with states going to elections.
From Mangalagiri cotton to Kanjeevaram silk, each saree tells a story about craftsmanship, culture, and sometimes politics. Here’s a year-by-year timeline of her Budget Day sarees and the states that were in focus.
TIMELINE OF FM NIRMALA SITHARAMAN’S BUDGET SAREES
2026
- Saree: Kanjeevaram silk saree
- State going to election: Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026
- Note: Deep maroon-purple with gold zari borders, reflecting the iconic weaving of Tamil Nadu.
2025
- Saree: Handloom silk saree adorned with Madhubani artwork
- State going to election: Bihar Assembly election 2025
- Note: Traditional folk art motifs from Bihar, symbolizing local heritage and craftsmanship.
Interim Budget 2024
- Saree: Blue Tussar silk saree with Kantha embroidery
- State: Lok Sabha election 2024
- Note: Kantha embroidery from West Bengal highlighted the state’s artisan community.
Full Budget 2024
- Saree: Off-white Mangalagiri saree with gold and magenta borders
- State going to election: Andhra Pradesh Assembly election 2024
- Note: Mangalagiri cotton from Andhra Pradesh, known for its fine handloom work.
2023
- Saree: Silk with Kasuti embroidery
- State going to election: Karnataka Assembly election 2023
- Note: Kasuti embroidery is a traditional craft from Karnataka, emphasizing cultural heritage.
2022
- Saree: Bomkai saree with off-white border detailing
- State: Odisha (No state assembly election)
- Note: Highlighted the craftsmanship of Odisha’s artisan community.
2021
- Saree: Pochampally Ikat
- State: Telangana (No state assembly election)
- Note: Represented resilience and the revival of handloom industries post-pandemic.
2020
- Saree: Bright yellow-gold silk saree
- State: No specific state
- Note: A bold and vibrant choice for the Budget, reflecting optimism.
2019
- Saree: Pink Mangalagiri saree with a gold border
- State going to election: Andhra Pradesh Assembly election
- Note: The first budget was presented by Sitharaman as FM, honouring Andhra Pradesh’s textile tradition.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget Day sarees are more than clothing. They are a blend of fashion, culture, and subtle political messaging. By choosing sarees from states going to elections, she highlights regional craftsmanship and cultural heritage, adding a colourful narrative to India’s most important financial event.
From Kanjeevaram in Tamil Nadu to Madhubani in Bihar, her saree choices have turned Budget Day into a celebration of India’s handloom legacy.