Fiscal Deficit

Fiscal Deficit is the difference between a government’s total expenditure and its total revenue (excluding borrowings). It represents the total borrowing requirement of the government.

  • Calculation
    • Foscal Deficit = Total Expenditure – (Revenue Receipts + Non-debt Capital Receipts)
  • Economic Implications 
    • High deficits can lead to “Crowding Out” (reducing capital available for private investment), inflationary pressure, or a “Debt Trap” where a majority of revenue is consumed by interest payments.

Revenue Deficit

It refers to the excess of total revenue expenditure of the government over its total revenue receipts.

  • Calculation
    • Revenue deficit = Total Revenue expenditure – Total Revenue receipts. 

OR

    • Revenue deficit = Total Revenue expenditure – (Tax Revenue + Non-Tax Revenue)

 

Source: The Hindu