India targets national debt at 50% of GDP by 2030: Nirmala Sitharaman

Nirmala Sitharaman said the Centre aims to limit national debt to 50 per cent of GDP by 2030. The pledge reinforces its focus on fiscal discipline, inflation control and income growth.Nirmala Sitharaman said countries had faced debt-related challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic, but India had consistently introduced measures to reduce the Union government's debt. (Photo: File/ITG)Tiruchirappalli,Oct 26, 2026 21:02 ISTUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the Centre remained committed to reducing the fiscal deficit and aimed to limit the national debt to 50 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030, news agency Press Trust of India reported.She said countries had faced debt-related challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic, but India had consistently introduced measures to reduce the Union government's debt.Speaking to reporters in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Sitharaman said the government's commitment to lowering the fiscal deficit was reflected in its annual budgets. “We have openly stated our goal that by 2030, the national debt will be limited to 50 per cent of the GDP. We are consistently putting in place measures to reduce the Union government's debt, and international organisations have acknowledged India's disciplined approach to debt management,” she said, according to PTI.Asked about state finances and concerns raised by former Tamil Nadu finance minister Thangam Thennarasu over the state's rising debt, Sitharaman said the matter should be debated in the State Assembly so that the facts could reach the public. She took a similar position on cases filed against former DMK ministers by the ruling TVK, describing them as a state-level matter.On inflation, Sitharaman said a dedicated group of ministers had worked since 2014 to maintain price stability through effective supply chain management. Referring to measures such as restrictions on rice exports, she said the Centre had protected domestic consumers from price increases while ensuring that farmers received the minimum support price. Responding to a question about Opposition parties protesting against alleged irregularities related to the SIR and demanding action against the CEC, Sitharaman said approaching courts and holding street protests were both accepted methods of democratic dissent.“There are many methods, such as taking the legal route through the courts to seek justice or, as an opposition party, protesting on the streets. Both methods are being utilised by various groups,” she said.On per capita income, the finance minister said the government was taking various steps to increase it. “Despite global challenges like the pandemic, economic recovery efforts, wars, and fluctuations in fuel and crude oil prices, we have worked to ensure these burdens do not fall heavily on the public. We are definitely continuing our efforts in this direction,” she said.Sitharaman reiterated that the Centre would continue efforts to reduce debt and the fiscal deficit, manage inflation and increase per capita income while limiting the impact of global economic pressures on the public.- Ends