<h1>Centre fiscal deficit at 54.5% of budget estimate in December, highlighting pressure to meet the 4.4% GDP target</h1> Centre fiscal position: fiscal deficit stood at Rs 8.55 lakh crore (54.5% of the 202526 budget estimate) as of December, against an annual target of Rs 15.69 lakh crore or 4.4% of GDP, indicating the remaining fiscal space for the year. Total receipts amounted to Rs 25.25 lakh crore (72.2% of BE) and total expenditure was Rs 33.8 lakh crore (66.7% of BE), comprising Rs 25.93 lakh crore revenue expenditure and Rs 7.87 lakh crore capital expenditure. These reported rates of receipts and expenditure inform monitoring of budgetary compliance and fiscal risk for the remainder of the fiscal year.