The government in 2026-27 Budget had projected a 4.3 per cent fiscal deficit, a tad lower than 4.4 per cent as per revised estimates for 2025-26
From West Asia tensions and RBI policy signals to AI in drug trials, fiscal risks, GDP debates and India-China strategy, today's BS Opinion offers a wide-ranging view of key economic and geopolitical
West Asia tensions threaten India's fiscal balance, growth outlook, and external stability, forcing a rethink of macroeconomic assumptions
As the IMF data shows, governments refinancing debt at higher interest rates have seen interest payments rise sharply over the past few years, from 2 per cent to about 3 per cent of global GDP
S&P Global says crude at $130 per barrel could slow India's growth, widen fiscal deficit, raise inflation and strain corporate and banking sector performance
Rising oil prices and limited fiscal space heighten risks of inflation, slower growth, and macroeconomic instability as the West Asia crisis unfolds
Economist M Govinda Rao warns rising geopolitical tensions could expose India's fiscal vulnerabilities, calling for reforms in GST, deficits, and public spending
Audit flags over Rs 5,000 crore unpaid PSU dividends and weak budget utilisation, raising concerns over fiscal oversight and revenue mobilisation in Odisha
Fiscal deficit narrows to 80.4% of revised estimates in April-February FY26, aided by higher revenues and steady capex, though global risks may pressure FY27 outlook
The central government estimates the fiscal deficit (the gap between expenditure and revenue) during 2025-26 at 4.4 per cent of GDP, or Rs 15.58 trillion
The promises, if implemented, will aggravate public finances to varying degrees in these states, depending on the parameters chosen
₹10 per litre excise duty cut on petrol and diesel may cost ₹1.5 trn in FY27 but help sustain consumption amid the West Asia crisis, even as economists flag risks to fiscal space
Elevated global crude and gas prices may affect India's FY27 fiscal position, though buffers such as expenditure savings and fiscal tools could help manage pressures, ICRA said
As the Strait of Hormuz disruption deepens, India faces rising inflation, supply shocks, and fiscal strain, with markets yet to fully price in the risks
L&T backs continued government capex despite rising oil-driven import costs, even if it leads to a temporary fiscal deficit expansion
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told Lok Sabha the Rs 1 trillion Economic Stabilisation Fund will help India respond to global shocks while keeping fiscal consolidation targets intact
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act aims to regulate the country's debt level by restricting fiscal and revenue deficits as a percentage of GDP
A prolonged West Asia conflict could strain India's fiscal position through higher fertiliser subsidies, rising import costs and weaker revenue growth
The Commission appreciates the Union government's fiscal restraint during the pandemic and the subsequent reduction in deficits and debt following the sharp spike seen in the pandemic year
Finance Ministry seeks Parliament approval for Rs 2.01 trillion net additional FY26 spending through the second supplementary demand for grants, with allocations for subsidies and reserve funds