 "What is Fiscal Deficit")
Fiscal Deficit
What is Fiscal Deficit
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Latest Updates on Fiscal Deficit
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
 "Spending cut by 50 ministries helps Centre meet FY26 fiscal deficit goal")
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
 "India's FY26 fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP, in line with govt estimates")
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")
RBI set for record dividend transfer to govt, fiscal gap likely to persist
An expected ₹3.05 trillion handover, the midpoint of the poll, would be the highest share of expected government revenue in more than two decades, excluding the fiscal year 2019-2020
 "RBI set for record dividend transfer to govt, fiscal gap likely to persist")
IMF backs targeted relief over broad subsidies amid oil price surge
The multilateral institution has urged governments to avoid broad-based subsidies and instead adopt targeted fiscal measures to manage inflation and protect vulnerable households
 "IMF backs targeted relief over broad subsidies amid oil price surge")
Best of BS Opinion: Centre, states face strong fiscal headwinds
From Bharti Airtel's succession planning and AI-driven cyber risks to the economic fallout of the West Asia conflict and India's investment needs - here are today's top opinion pieces
 "Best of BS Opinion: Centre, states face strong fiscal headwinds")
Not just an external threat: India faces strong fiscal headwinds within
More attention needs to be paid to fiscal implications of the West Asian conflict for the Union and state governments
Managing fiscal fallout: Govt must make the necessary adjustments
Higher fuel prices and limited gas availability are affecting economic activities, which could result in lower overall tax collection and add further pressure on the Budget
Assam Assembly election results 2026: BJP navigates the fiscal tightrope
The party, which is set to return to power in the state, has also pledged to set up one university in each district and appoint more teachers to strengthen the education sector
 "Assam Assembly election results 2026: BJP navigates the fiscal tightrope")
Finances stable, but freebies might hamper Tamil Nadu's fiscal maths
A similar trend is visible in the revenue deficit, as the revised estimates suggest a revenue deficit of 1.94 per cent of GSDP in FY26, up from 1.47 per cent in FY25
 "Finances stable, but freebies might hamper Tamil Nadu's fiscal maths")