India's Fiscal Deficit Reaches 80.4% of Annual Target for 2025-26
According to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on Monday, the Centre's fiscal deficit stood at Rs 12.52 lakh crore by the end of February. This figure represents 80.4 per cent of the full-year target set for the fiscal year 2025-26, as reported by PTI.
Comparison with Previous Year and Budget Estimates
In comparison, during the same period last year, the fiscal deficit had reached 85.8 per cent of the annual target, indicating a slightly improved fiscal performance this year. The government has pegged the fiscal deficit for 2025-26 at 4.4 per cent of GDP, which translates to Rs 15.58 lakh crore.
Breakdown of Receipts and Expenditure
As per the monthly accounts from the CGA, the Centre's total receipts during the April-February period amounted to Rs 27.91 lakh crore, achieving 82 per cent of the budget estimates. This includes:
- Net tax revenue: Rs 21.45 lakh crore
- Non-tax revenue: Rs 5.8 lakh crore
On the expenditure side, total spending for the same period stood at Rs 40.44 lakh crore, which accounts for 81.5 per cent of the full-year budget target. The data highlights the government's ongoing efforts to manage fiscal resources while meeting economic goals.
