Budget 2026 President Murmu Feed FM Sitharaman Dahi-Cheeni Again

The 'dahi-cheeni' ritual is carried out by the President, as it is considered an auspicious way to begin the day. This customary good-luck gesture was made during the Finance Minister's meeting with President Murmu at Rashtrapti Bhavan. The Finance Minister was seen discussing the contours of the Budget proposals with the President.

Earlier in the day, Sitharaman posed for photographs with her Budget team outside her office at Kartavya Bhavan. Dressed in a magenta silk saree, she was seen carrying a tablet enclosed in a red pouch bearing the national emblem, alongside Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and the six secretaries of the finance ministry.

After meeting the President, Sitharaman proceeded to a Cabinet meeting, where the Union Budget for 2026-27 received formal approval. She continues the tradition she introduced in 2019 by carrying the Budget speech in a ‘bahi-khata’ style pouch, replacing the earlier briefcase custom. MoS Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Economic Advisor Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Ravi Agrawal and other officials of the Finance Ministry were seen accompanying the Finance Minister.