Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s finance minister, center, and other members of finance ministry leave the ministry to present the budget at the parliament in New Delhi, India, on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Sitharaman is expected to prioritize job-creating growth while emphasizing fiscal prudence in Sunday’s budget, as the country grapples with geopolitical risks and steep US tariffs
| Photo Credit:
PRAKASH SINGH
As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gets set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget in the Parliament, all eyes are on the various reforms to spur capex and improve revenue mop-ups in India’s path to Viksit Bharat. However, like all years, her saree has also been keenly watched for any hints on the Budget itself.
This year, Sitharaman has headed out to present the Budget wearing a magenta-coloured Kattam Kanjeevaram (Kancheepuram) silk saree from Tamil Nadu.
Kanjeevaram sarees are traditional handwoven silk sarees from the weavers of Tamil Nadu, and the designs are often inspired from the State’s rich culture and temple architecture.
The Kanjeevaram style originate from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, with their roots tracing back to the Chola dynasty.
The FM’s choice of saree raises interest given the fact that Tamil Nadu will be going to Polls in a few months time. Observers anticipate that the Budget, like prior years, would likely reflect the political scenario with Sops in store for poll-bound states.
TN, Kerala, West Bengal, Puducherry, and Assam, going to polls in the next few months.
Published on February 1, 2026
