What is Fiscal Deficit of India & How to Calculate: Meaning & Formula

Fiscal deficit is a term that often comes up in discussions about government budgets, economic policy, and public finance. It is an important concept to understand because it affects the overall health of a country's economy, the ability of the government to finance public services, and the livelihood of citizens. 

Meaning of Fiscal Deficit

Fiscal deficit refers to the difference between the government's total expenditure and its total revenue in a given fiscal or financial year. In simple terms, if the government spends more money than it earns in revenue, it creates a fiscal deficit. The government typically borrows money to cover this deficit, which increases the national debt.

What causes a fiscal deficit?

Several factors can cause fiscal deficits, including:

• Economic downturns: During recessions or economic slowdowns, the government revenues decline due to lower tax revenues, and spending on unemployment benefits and social services increases. This can lead to a fiscal deficit.
• Political decisions: Governments may choose to spend more money than they earn to finance infrastructure projects, defence spending, or social programmes. This can create a fiscal deficit.
• Interest payments on debt: The interest paid on national debt can be a significant portion of government expenditure, leading to a fiscal deficit.

Impacts of Fiscal Deficit

Fiscal deficits can have both positive and negative impacts on an economy. Here are some of the key impacts:

• Increased national debt: When a government borrows money to cover a fiscal deficit, it increases the national debt. This can have long-term consequences, as interest payments on the debt can become a significant portion of government expenditure.
• Inflation: When the government borrows money, it increases the money supply in the economy, which can lead to inflation. This can make goods and services more expensive and reduce the purchasing power of citizens.
• Economic growth: Fiscal deficits can stimulate economic growth by increasing government spending on infrastructure, education, and other public services. This may create jobs, increase productivity, and improve the overall health of the economy.
• Crowding out: When the government borrows money, it may reduce the availability of credit for private sector borrowing, leading to higher interest rates and reduced investment.

India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with a GDP of $2.9 trillion in 2021. However, the country has struggled with persistent fiscal deficits over the years, leading to concerns about the sustainability of its public finances. In this document, we will provide an overview of the fiscal deficit situation in India, its causes, and its impacts on the economy.

Fiscal Deficit in India

According to the Union Budget 2021-22, India's fiscal deficit for the year 2020-21 was 9.5% of the GDP, which is significantly higher than the government's original target of 3.5%.

Causes of Fiscal Deficit in India

Several factors have contributed to the persistent fiscal deficits in India, including:

• Subsidies and welfare programmes: The Indian government spends a significant amount of money on subsidies and welfare programmes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Public Distribution System (PDS). These programmes are essential for poverty alleviation but also contribute to the fiscal deficit.
• Low tax revenue: India has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios among major economies. The government's tax revenue is often inadequate to cover its spending, leading to a fiscal deficit.
• Capital expenditure: The Indian government has been increasing its spending on capital projects such as highways, railways, and airports. These projects are essential for economic growth but also require significant amounts of money, contributing to the fiscal deficit.

Impacts of Fiscal Deficit in India

The fiscal deficit in India has several impacts on the economy, including:

• Higher inflation: The government's borrowing to finance the fiscal deficit increases the money supply in the economy, leading to higher inflation.
• Reduced private sector investment: High government borrowing can crowd out private sector investment, as the government competes with private firms for available credit.
• Interest payments: High fiscal deficits result in higher interest payments on government debt, reducing the government's ability to spend on public services.
• Downgrades and default risk: Persistent fiscal deficits can lead to credit rating downgrades and increase the risk of a sovereign default.

What do the statistics of India's fiscal deficit demonstrate?

The statistics of India's fiscal deficit demonstrate the government's ability to manage its finances and allocate resources towards development programmes and social welfare initiatives. A high fiscal deficit indicates that the government is spending more than it is earning, resulting in a rise in debt and interest payments. This can be detrimental to the economy as it can lead to inflation, a decline in foreign investment, and higher borrowing costs. 

On the other hand, a low fiscal deficit signifies sound financial management and provides the government with more flexibility to invest in priority areas. India's recent fiscal deficit trends have been marked by an increase in spending on social welfare programmes, infrastructure projects, and healthcare, coupled with sluggish growth in tax revenue. The government has been taking steps to reduce the fiscal deficit and bring it down to manageable levels, which is crucial for long-term economic stability and growth.

Here are some statistics on India's fiscal deficit:

• In the financial year 2020-21, India's fiscal deficit was 9.5% of the GDP, which was significantly higher than the target of 3.5% set by the government earlier.
• India's fiscal deficit in the financial year 2019-20 was 4.6% of the GDP, which was also higher than the target of 3.3% set by the government.
• The main reason for the high fiscal deficit in recent years has been the sluggish growth in tax revenue and increased government spending on social welfare programmes, infrastructure projects, and other developmental activities.
• The government has been taking steps to bring down the fiscal deficit in recent years, such as increasing taxes, reducing subsidies, and divesting its stake in state-owned enterprises.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the fiscal deficit in India due to the economic slowdown and increased government spending on healthcare and stimulus measures.
• According to the revised estimate for 2022-23, the revenue budget showed a deficit of 4.1% of GDP. However, the Union Budget for 2023-24 projects a reduced revenue deficit of 2.9% of GDP. If interest payments are excluded from the fiscal deficit, which is known as the primary deficit, it was 3% of GDP in 2022-23 (RE). 
• Looking forward, the primary deficit is expected to be 2.3% of GDP in the Union Budget for 2023-24. The primary deficit is a key indicator of the current fiscal situation, as it reflects the fiscal stance without factoring in past interest payment liabilities.
• The government has set a target of bringing down the fiscal deficit to 4.5% by 2025-26. However, achieving these targets may be challenging given the ongoing economic uncertainties and the need for continued government support to revive the economy.

Conclusion

Fiscal deficit is an essential concept in public finance and economic policy. It can have a significant impact on the economy, including national debt, inflation, and economic growth. Governments must balance their spending and revenue to avoid creating large fiscal deficits that can lead to long-term economic problems. By understanding the causes and impacts of fiscal deficits, citizens can better assess the government's economic policies and hold their representatives accountable.

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