Fiscal Deficit

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

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

BJP's promises face funding hurdles after ending TMC's 15-yr rule in Bengal

The BJP's commitments are expansive, ranging from ₹3,000 monthly transfers for women and unemployed youth to implementing the 7th Pay Commission and raising dearness allowance

Promise and delivery: Record turnout at polls reflected demand for change

The most humbling lessons of anti-incumbency, however, came from West Bengal, where the BJP finally fulfilled its ambition of ousting Mamata Banerjee's TMC after the latter's 15 years in power

Tight fiscal space leaves limited room for poll promises in West Bengal

West Bengal's fiscal deficit and debt remain elevated, while economic and social outcomes present a mixed picture

India likely to breach budgeted fiscal deficit target for FY27: BMI

India's fiscal deficit is likely to breach the budgeted target for current fiscal and hit 4.5 per cent of GDP as the government's policy response to the West Asia conflict could strain public finances, research firm BMI said on Wednesday. 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. BMI also expects the government to introduce policies to redirect critical inputs to key industries, restrain business costs and improve financial support for firms. BMI said it also expects the government to consider restrictions on exports of scarce inputs such as helium and sulphur -- used for producing semiconductor chips. It said that since sulphur is also an important ingredient for making fertilisers, the government will strive to minimise disruptions to the agriculture sector, which employs 43 per cent of India's workforce. The government will seek to restrain cost increases for businesses affec

Best of BS Opinion: West Asia risks, RBI stance, AI, GDP debate

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

The West Asia Challenge: Govt must revisit its macroeconomic assumptions

West Asia tensions threaten India's fiscal balance, growth outlook, and external stability, forcing a rethink of macroeconomic assumptions

Fiscal demands: Rising global public debt poses risk to growth outlook

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

Crude oil prices at $130 could unsettle growth outlook: S&P Global

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

Beyond the optics of stability, India's economy faces rising external risks

Rising oil prices and limited fiscal space heighten risks of inflation, slower growth, and macroeconomic instability as the West Asia crisis unfolds

West Asia tensions likely to heighten fiscal risks, says Govinda Rao

Economist M Govinda Rao warns rising geopolitical tensions could expose India's fiscal vulnerabilities, calling for reforms in GST, deficits, and public spending

CAG pulls up Odisha govt for PSU dues, flags poor budget utilisation

Audit flags over Rs 5,000 crore unpaid PSU dividends and weak budget utilisation, raising concerns over fiscal oversight and revenue mobilisation in Odisha

Centre's fiscal deficit in April-February at 80% of FY26 target: CGA

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

Centre's fiscal deficit touches 80.4% of full-year target at Feb-end: CGA

The Centre's fiscal deficit stood at Rs 12.52 lakh crore at the end of February, or 80.4 per cent of the annual budget target for 2025-26 compared to 85.8 per cent in the year-ago period, according to government data released on Monday. 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 lakh crore. According to monthly accounts released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), the Centre's total receipts stood at Rs 27.91 lakh crore, or 82 per cent of the budget target by February-end 2026. The receipts included Rs 21.45 lakh crore tax revenue (net) and Rs 5.8 lakh crore non-tax revenue. The CGA data showed that the central government's total expenditure during April-February 2025-26 stood at Rs 40.44 lakh crore, or 81.5 per cent of the full financial year budget target.

StatsGuru: States' fiscal challenges versus electoral compulsions

The promises, if implemented, will aggravate public finances to varying degrees in these states, depending on the parameters chosen

Excise duty cut can result in fiscal loss of ₹1.5 trillion, say economists

₹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

High energy prices may impact FY27 fiscal position; buffers available: ICRA

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

West Asia war: Are the effects priced in amid rising economic risks?

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