8 Budgets, 8 Sarees, 8 Milestones: Nirmala Sitharaman’s Historic Record

“Aakhir Tak – In Shorts”:

1. On February 2, 2025, Nirmala Sitharaman set a historic record by presenting her eighth consecutive Union Budget.
2. Prior to Sitharaman, Morarji Desai held the record, though his budgets were non-consecutive.
3. For her eighth budget, Sitharaman wore a Madhubani saree gifted by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi.
4. Sitharaman emphasized the rising middle class and their enhanced spending power in Budget 2025.
5. The article also highlights the major takeaways from the seven previous budgets presented by Sitharaman.

“Aakhir Tak – In Depth”:

8 Budgets, 8 Sarees: Nirmala Sitharaman’s Historic Record

On February 2, 2025, India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, made history by presenting her eighth consecutive Union Budget. This achievement broke the previous record held by Morarji Desai, who presented budgets during non-consecutive terms. Sitharaman’s tenure has been marked by numerous strategic reforms aimed at improving India’s economic health and welfare.

Budget 2025: A Historic Milestone

For the occasion, Sitharaman wore a traditional Madhubani saree, a gift from Dulari Devi, a renowned Madhubani artist and Padma Shri awardee. The saree featured a gold border and was paired with a bright red blouse, symbolizing India’s vibrant textile heritage. This choice underscored her commitment to promoting traditional Indian crafts and highlighting the country’s rich cultural legacy through fashion.

Enhancing the Spending Power of the Middle Class

Budget 2025 focused on boosting the purchasing power of India’s expanding middle class. Sitharaman’s key goal for this budget was to enable economic empowerment and growth in this demographic, which plays a crucial role in driving the nation’s economy forward. The budget outlined several reforms aimed at increasing disposable incomes and creating opportunities for better job prospects in both the public and private sectors.

Key Highlights from Previous Budgets

In the 2024 Union Budget, Sitharaman introduced measures that lowered customs duties on mobile phones, gold, and silver, and provided exemptions for cancer medicines. Budget 2023 focused on job creation and infrastructure development, including a Rs 2 lakh crore job creation fund over the next five years. Her earlier budgets, such as those in 2022 and 2021, emphasized the digital economy, healthcare, and support for Indian artisans, further proving her leadership in shaping India’s future.

Promoting Indian Heritage through Fashion

Another signature feature of Sitharaman’s budget presentations has been her choice of attire. Each budget has been accompanied by a saree that represents a different state’s textile tradition. From the bright yellow silk saree worn in 2020 to the iconic Pochampally ikat in 2021, Sitharaman’s sartorial choices reflect the rich cultural diversity of India and her support for the handloom industry.

“Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember”:

Nirmala Sitharaman’s eighth consecutive budget marks a significant milestone in India’s political and economic landscape. Through her leadership, she has not only driven reforms aimed at strengthening the economy but has also used her platform to showcase India’s traditional crafts and textiles. This unique blend of policy and cultural advocacy has made her a distinct figure in India’s modern political history.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

See Full Bio