 "What is Fiscal Deficit")
Fiscal Deficit
What is Fiscal Deficit
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Latest Updates on Fiscal Deficit
India's fiscal deficit rose 12-fold to ₹1.62 trillion in April-May
Within tax revenue, the government's excise duty collections fell nearly 20 per cent to Rs 2.12 trillion in April-May
 "India's fiscal deficit rose 12-fold to ₹1.62 trillion in April-May")
India's April-May fiscal deficit at 9.6% of 2026-27 target: Govt data
India has set the fiscal deficit target for 2026-27 at 4.3% of GDP, or ₹16.96 trillion
 "India's April-May fiscal deficit at 9.6% of 2026-27 target: Govt data")
Long road to 50 as govt moves fiscal anchor from deficit to debt-GDP ratio
A lower GDP base, subsidy pressures, geopolitical shocks and future spending commitments could make the Centre's goal of reducing debt to 50 per cent of GDP by FY31 significantly more challenging
 "Long road to 50 as govt moves fiscal anchor from deficit to debt-GDP ratio")
Wider fiscal gap unlikely to threaten India's rating, says Moody's
Moody's said higher energy prices may create temporary budget pressures, but India's improving fiscal position and commitment to deficit reduction should help preserve its investment-grade status
 "Wider fiscal gap unlikely to threaten India's rating, says Moody's")
Amid fiscal worries, govt puts PSU share sales on fast track to raise funds
As part of the stake-sale drive, an OFS in LIC is also likely to be launched "very soon"
 "Amid fiscal worries, govt puts PSU share sales on fast track to raise funds")
Tamil Nadu debt nearly doubles to ₹10 trillion in five years: White paper
The TVK government's white paper said Tamil Nadu added Rs 4.87 trillion in debt over five years, while total liabilities, including guarantees and off-budget borrowings, reached Rs 13.8 trillion
 "Tamil Nadu debt nearly doubles to ₹10 trillion in five years: White paper")
18 states overshot fiscal deficit ceiling in FY25, shows CAG report
The CAG's review of state finances showed 18 states exceeded the 3 per cent fiscal deficit ceiling in FY25, while combined state liabilities continued to rise over the decade
 "18 states overshot fiscal deficit ceiling in FY25, shows CAG report")
Govt may allow wider fiscal deficit to 4.8% of GDP amid Iran war: Report
India ships in about 90 per cent of its oil and is one of the countries most-exposed to prolonged Iran war-related disruptions to global energy supplies
 "Govt may allow wider fiscal deficit to 4.8% of GDP amid Iran war: Report")
Real cost of freebies is the erosion in quality of public spending
State debt and deficits do not capture the damage that doles inflict on the quality of public spending
 "Real cost of freebies is the erosion in quality of public spending")
Fertiliser subsidy bill likely to double to ₹3.4 trillion in FY27
Rising global fertiliser prices and support extended to oil retailers are squeezing fiscal space, though the government says its capital expenditure plans remain unchanged
 "Fertiliser subsidy bill likely to double to ₹3.4 trillion in FY27")
Centre may have overshot debt-to-GDP ratio in FY26, shows Mospi data
Lower-than-expected nominal GDP growth may have pushed the Centre's debt ratio to 57.85 per cent in FY26, making its fiscal consolidation path steeper ahead
 "Centre may have overshot debt-to-GDP ratio in FY26, shows Mospi data")
India considers budget cuts as oil price surge threatens fiscal targets
The government is wary of increasing borrowing beyond budgeted levels because additional debt issuance could push bond yields higher, officials familiar with the matter said
Best of BS Opinion: USTR tariff threats deepen trade uncertainty
From fresh US tariff threats and fiscal policy constraints to the future of television broadcasting and the legacy of Shastri Bhawan, here are today's top Opinion insights
 "Best of BS Opinion: USTR tariff threats deepen trade uncertainty")
India needs fiscal space, not just subsidies, to weather crises
If India had created more fiscal space in the three good years following the end of the Covid crisis in 2022-23, it would have more options to deal with the current one
 "India needs fiscal space, not just subsidies, to weather crises")
'India's fiscal deficit may rise to 4.7% of GDP in FY27 amid West Asia war'
India's fiscal deficit may widen to 4.7 per cent of GDP in FY27 as higher oil prices, subsidy costs and revenue risks from the West Asia conflict weigh on finances, writes Aditi Nayar of ICRA
 "'India's fiscal deficit may rise to 4.7% of GDP in FY27 amid West Asia war'")
Spending cut by 50 ministries helps Centre meet FY26 fiscal deficit goal
Expenditure by 50 ministries and departments came in below revised estimates, helping the Centre contain the fiscal deficit despite lower-than-projected receipts
Govt slashes expenditure by ₹60K cr to meet fiscal deficit target in FY26
In FY26, while revenue expenditure was cut by Rs 26,636 crore, capital expenditure was reduced by Rs 33,055 crore, leading to a dip in total expenditure by Rs 59,691 crore to Rs 49 trillion
 "Govt slashes expenditure by ₹60K cr to meet fiscal deficit target in FY26")
India's FY26 fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP, in line with govt estimates
The deficit was at ₹15.19 trillion ($159.91 billion), or 97.5% of the government's revised estimates presented in February
Best of BS Opinion: RBI's surplus transfer will not ease fiscal pressure
Hello and welcome to BS Opinion, a wrap of editorials and columns on today's Opinion page.
 "Best of BS Opinion: RBI's surplus transfer will not ease fiscal pressure")
Record RBI dividend likely to provide limited fiscal support: Economists
Economists warn of fiscal slippage risks in FY27 despite RBI's record surplus transfer, citing higher subsidy burden and lower revenue growth
 "Record RBI dividend likely to provide limited fiscal support: Economists")