For the 2026 Budget presentation, Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in a purple Kattam Kancheevaram saree with a muted gold-brown checks border and rooted in tradition, paired with minimal jewellery.

For the 2025 Budget, the Finance Minister chose an off-white handloom saree adorned with fish-themed Madhubani motifs and golden borders, created by Padma awardee artist Dulari Devi.

In early 2024, she wore a blue tussar silk with kantha handiwork graced her interim Budget appearance, blending rustic hand-painted motifs with the understated elegance tussar silk is known for.

Later that year, for the full Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman opted for a white silk with a purple-gold border, classic colours that spoke of balance and optimism

In 2023, the finance minister presented the budget in a red and black saree with a temple border and Kasuti embroidery. The look reflected Karnataka’s rich and traditional weaving heritage.

During the 2022 budget, the economist paired earthy tones with subtle detailing. A rustic Bomkai saree from Odisha brought depth and warmth.

Nirmala Sitharaman wore a red and off-white silk Pochampally ikat saree from Telangana during the 2021 Union Budget presentation.

In a year shaped by the pandemic’s economic impact, the Finance Minister chose a bright yellow-gold silk, a colour traditionally associated with prosperity and hope.

Nirmala Sitharaman chose a graceful pink Mangalgiri silk saree with a golden border for her debut Budget in 2019.