<h1>Central government fiscal deficit at 38.1% of annual target by end-August; receipts 36.7% and spending 37.1%</h1> Central government fiscal deficit was 38.1% of its full-year target at end-August, totaling Rs 5,98,153 crore in April-August 2025-26, against a 4.4% of GDP full-year estimate (Rs 15.69 lakh crore). Total receipts stood at Rs 12.82 lakh crore (36.7% of budgeted receipts), including Rs 8.1 lakh crore net tax revenue, Rs 4.4 lakh crore non-tax revenue and Rs 31,970 crore non-debt capital receipts. Total expenditure was Rs 18.8 lakh crore (37.1% of budgeted expenditure), with revenue expenditure of Rs 14.49 lakh crore and capital expenditure of Rs 4.31 lakh crore; interest payments and major subsidies accounted for significant shares.