Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday chose to wear a handwoven Kancheevaram silk saree from Tamil Nadu ahead of her presentation of the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament.For her record ninth consecutive budget presentation, Sitharaman’s sartorial choice reaffirmed a tradition that has quietly evolved into a cultural statement.Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shows the budget tablet at the Ministry of Finance, Kartavya Bhavan, before heading to the Parliament to present the Union Budget 2026, in New Delhi on Sunday. Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and others also seen. (ANI Photo/Jitender Gupta)The Finance Minister’s saree featured a purple kattam (checked) body with light golden-brown checks, a coffee-brown border with thread work, and a mustard-gold pallu panel accented by violet and gold borders. She teamed the drape with a wollen shawl   Known for their lustrous silk and intricate craftsmanship, Kancheevaram sarees are among India’s most celebrated handlooms.A native of Tamil Nadu, Sitharaman chose to pay homage to her home state, which is holding Assembly elections this year. The Union Minister has kept with tradition in continuing to emphasise handwoven fabrics and artisan-made crafts in her Budget Day saree choices.Since her first budget in 2019, when she wore a bright pink Mangalagiri saree, Sitharaman has showcased handlooms from across the country.Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur arrives at Parliament to present the Union Budget 2019-20 in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo)These include a yellow-gold silk saree in 2020, a Pochampally Ikat in 2021, Odisha’s Bomkai in 2022, Karnataka’s Ilkal in 2023, and two distinct weaves in 2024- Mangalagiri silk for the full budget and a blue Tussar silk saree with Kantha embroidery for the interim session.2020:Sitharaman holds budget papers as she arrives at Parliament to present the 2020-21 Union Budget, in New Delhi. (ANI PHOTO)2021:Sitharaman arrives at Parliament House to present the General Budget 2021-22, in New Delhi. (ANI Photo)2022:Sitharaman along with the Ministers of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and Bhagwat Karad at Parliament ahead of the Union Budget 2022-23 presentation in Lok Sabha, in New Delhi. (ANI Photo)2023:The Union Finance Minister at Parliament to read out the Union Budget 2023-24, in New Delhi. (ANI Photo)2024 (full budget):Sitharaman shows the tablet for Budget 2024-25 during the Monsoon Session. (ANI Photo)2024 (interim session):In 2025, she wore an ivory Madhubani hand-painted saree gifted by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi.Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman before presenting the Union Budget 2025, in New Delhi. (ANI Photo)On Sunday morning, Sitharaman was seen leaving Kartavya Bhavan for Rashtrapati Bhavan carrying her trademark red bahi-khata, introduced in 2019, before presenting the Union Budget for 2026-27 at 11 am, accompanied by senior finance ministry officials.