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Informist, Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026

NEW DELHI – The government's expenditure on major subsidies in April jumped 51% on year as the outgo on fertiliser and food subsidies surged during the month, data from the Controller General of Accounts released Monday showed. Expenditure on major subsidies in April accounted for 11% of the Budget target of INR 4.105 trillion for 2026-27 (Apr-Mar).

In the corresponding month a year ago, the government's major subsidies bill accounted for 8% of the FY26 target. 

The government's fertiliser subsidy bill was up 52% on year at INR 220.33 billion in April as against INR 145.32 billion spent in April 2025. Food subsidy jumped during the month, up 50% on year to INR 216.00 billion. According to economists, the government front-loaded spending during the first month of FY27 to shield the economy from higher prices in the wake of the West Asia war. 

For FY27, the government has pegged an expenditure on major subsidies at INR 4.105 trillion, compared with the revised estimate of INR 4.297 trillion for FY26. As per the latest data, the government spent INR 4.539 trillion on subsidies last fiscal, INR 241.20 billion higher than the target.

The following table details major subsidies in April (in INR billion):

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Reported by Priyasmita Dutta

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

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