Narendra Modi 3.0 government to borrow 47% of FY25 target in October-March, stays on path laid out in Budget 2024

The central government on Thursday announced gross market borrowings of Rs 6.61 lakh crore from October and March, which translates to 47.2 per cent of the full-year target set in its Union Budget for FY25. The borrowings will be made through dated securities, according to an official statement. 

The government finalised its market borrowing programme for the remainder of the year in consultation with the RBI.

Here are 10 key takeaways from this big development: 

• As per the Budget 2024, the government plans to borrow Rs 14.01 lakh crore in the current financial year. The Centre has already borrowed more than half of that amount in the first six months of the year, from April to September. 
• Out of the gross borrowings planned for the six months starting October 1, Rs 20,000 crore will be raised through Sovereign Green Bonds—special securities aimed at financing environmentally sustainable projects.
• During October-March, the gross market borrowing will be completed through 21 weekly auctions, said the finance ministry.
• The borrowing programme will be spread over securities of eight different tenures, ranging from three to 50 years.
• Here's the breakup of the planned market borrowing (including Sovereign Green Bonds):
  • 3 years (5.3 per cent)
  • 5 years (10.6 per cent)
  • 7 years (7.6 per cent)
  • 10 years (24.8 per cent)
  • 15 years (13.2 per cent)
  • 30 years (12.1 per cent)
  • 40 years (15.9 per cent)
  • 50 years (10.6 per cent).

• The government plans to manage the redemption of securities in a better way by buying back some of them.

• It also plans to continue with a feature that lets it keep an extra Rs 2,000 crore in each auction, if needed.

• This helps in maintaining stability in the financial system.

• The government's market borrowing target for FY25 is smaller than the previous year’s estimate of Rs 15.43 lakh crore–a record high. 

• The market borrowing programme is meant to bridge the gap between government revenue and expenses, and to drive economic growth.

With inputs from agencies

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