india-s-public-debt-rises-to-201-lakh-cr-in-11-years-minister

India's overall public debt has more than tripled in the last 11 years, rising from Rs 64.11 lakh crore at the end of 2014-15 to a whopping Rs 201.17 lakh crore at the close of 2025-26 (provisional), according to government figures released on Monday. During question hour, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, while replying to an unstarred question, said the Centre's outstanding public debt increased by Rs 137.06 lakh crore during the period.

 

He said that debt has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.95 per cent.

 

Despite the sharp rise in absolute terms, the government said the debt grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.95 per cent.

 

According to the minister, the Centre's outstanding public debt, which stood at Rs 64.11 lakh crore at the end of 2014-15, has now grown to Rs 201.17 lakh crore, reflecting a massive borrowing over the years to finance expenditure and growth initiatives.

 

Public debt refers to the total outstanding liabilities of the central government, including market borrowings through government securities and external loans.

 

The minister also stated that a fiscal deficit generated fresh borrowings of nearly Rs 126 lakh crore.

 

Chaudhary said the net debt raised by the government during the last ten financial years — which is equivalent to the cumulative fiscal deficit — amounted to Rs 125.99 lakh crore.

 

Of the Rs 125.99 lakh crore raised through fiscal deficits over the last decade, Rs 60.21 lakh crore, or around 48 per cent, was utilised for capital expenditure.

 

Capital expenditure includes investments in highways, railways, ports, airports, defence infrastructure, irrigation projects, power transmission, digital infrastructure and other long-term assets that are expected to generate economic returns and support future growth.

 

This means each Indian citizen has Rs 1.39 lakh per head. While it doesn't directly put the liability on every head, the stats are normally a national figure used to show the debt burden.

 

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