Union Budget 2026–27 arrives at a moment when India’s macro numbers look stable but household stress is quietly building. Growth remains respectable, inflation is under control, and fiscal deficit targets are being met. On paper, this looks like success. But budgets are not written for
India’s fiscal deficit for the first half of the 2025-26 financial year stood at ₹5.73 lakh crore, or 36.5% of the full-year target, the government reported. The gap widened compared to the same period last year, indicating that revenue growth is lagging while expenditure remains elevated. Revenue and Expenditure Drivers Net tax receipts during April-September […]















