Fiscal deficit touches 52.6% of BE till Oct, capex increases 32%

Tax revenue lags at 45% of Budget Estimates

- RUCHIKA CHITRAVANSHI

The government's fiscal deficit for the first seven months of 2025-26 (FY26) widened to %8.25 trillion, or 52.6 per cent of the Budget Estimates (BE), compared to 46.5 per cent in the corresponding period of last year.

Capital expenditure (capex) increased by 32 per cent in April-October FY26, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on Friday.

Tax revenue stood at 45 per cent of BE in the first seven months of FY26 compared to 50 per cent in the same period of FY25.