There has been a rise in the per capita debt on March 31, 2016 as compared to March 31, 2015. There has been a rise of 9.2% in per capita total debt (internal and external) as on March 31, 2016 as compared to March 31, 2015. The per capita internal debt increased by 9.3% while per capita external debt increased by 5.1% during the given period. In absolute terms, the per capita total debt increased by ₹ 4,525/-, per capita internal debt by ₹ 4,446/- and per capita external debt by ₹ 80/- during this period.

The primary reason for the increase in debt has been increase in Government borrowings, majority of which has been due to increase in internal debt which contributes to 97% of total debt.

Payment of interest on the debt and repayment of principal amounts is an ongoing process and payments towards principal and interest are charged expenditures which are made as they fall due.

The reduction in per capita debt depends on the changes in the debt levels of the Government. The Government is adhering to a fiscal consolidation path in terms of the provisions of the FRBM Act with the objective to reduce fiscal deficit and Government debt. The Medium Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) also aims to reduce the cost of borrowing, mitigate risk to the Government and develop bond market in India. The Government is also pursuing an active debt management strategy under which short term bonds are switched with longer tenor securities through buy-backs to spread the redemption pressure on the Government evenly.

The process of demonetization is not related to reduction in per capita debt.

This was stated by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today

Per capita government debt rose, prompting fiscal consolidation and MTDS-led debt management to mitigate borrowing risk and smooth redemptions. Per capita government debt rose between March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016, mainly due to increased Government borrowings and a rise in internal debt; interest payments and principal repayments are ongoing charged expenditures. The Government follows a fiscal consolidation path under the FRBM Act and implements the MTDS and active debt management, including buy-backs to lengthen maturities and mitigate redemption pressure; demonetization is not linked to per capita debt reduction.