Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the budget speech that India is on the path to fiscal consolidation. “We continue on the path of fiscal consolidation, as announced in my Budget Speech for 2021-22, to reduce fiscal deficit below 4.5% by 2025-26. The fiscal deficit in 2024-25 is estimated to be 5.1% of GDP, adhering to that path,” FM said. “The gross and net market borrowings through dated securities during 2024-25 are estimated at ₹14.13 and $11.75 lakh crore respectively,” she added.