Fiscal Deficit and its Trends in India

F iscal deficit measures the incremental amounts that governments are required to borrow in order to finance their budget shortfalls. The concept has gained significance in recent times with the IMF imposing strict restrictions and monitoring of the levels of fiscal deficit that economies can run if they have taken support or are going to request support from the IMF. India too started to monitor Fiscal Deficit after it had to solicit support from the IMF to resolve the balance of payment crisis of 1991. This study traces the major changes in the India’s fiscal policy since 1980-81 through the country’s balance of payments crisis of 1991, the post economic liberalisation and high growth period, the introduction of FRBM Act in 2003, adjustment to the global financial crisis of 2008 and the recent post-crisis changes to return to a path of fiscal consolidation The study found that from 1980-81 to 2002-03 the periods of crisis led to the burgeoning of the deficit to unsustainable levels and prompted the government to introduce and adopt economic reforms to ensure that the deficit stood at more reasonable levels. However since 2003-04 the government has been more proactive and has undertaken fiscal policy reforms to ensure a steady reduction in fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP leading to a more resilient economy.