Fiscal snapshot: Centre’s deficit at 38% of target, Rs 12.82 lakh cr receipts; capital, revenue outlays rise
In absolute terms, the fiscal gap between government expenditure and revenue was Rs 5,98,153 crore for the April-August period of 2025-26, PTI reported.
The Centre’s fiscal deficit for 2025-26 is projected at 4.4 per cent of GDP, or Rs 15.69 lakh crore.The CGA data showed that total receipts up to August amounted to Rs 12.82 lakh crore, representing 36.7 per cent of the full-year BE.
Tax revenue (net to Centre) contributed Rs 8.1 lakh crore, while non-tax revenue accounted for Rs 4.4 lakh crore.
Non-debt capital receipts stood at Rs 31,970 crore.State governments received Rs 5.3 lakh crore as devolution of share of taxes up to August, which is Rs 74,431 crore higher than the same period last year.The Centre’s total expenditure reached Rs 18.8 lakh crore, or 37.1 per cent of the full-year BE, comprising Rs 14.49 lakh crore in revenue account and Rs 4.31 lakh crore in capital account.
Revenue spending included Rs 5,28,668 crore on interest payments and Rs 1,50,377 crore on major subsidies.CGA noted that the fiscal deficit figure reported in monthly accounts does not necessarily reflect the deficit for the full year, as temporary mismatches between non-debt receipts and expenditure can affect the monthly data.
