Kerala State Budget 2015-16 Analysis
ActualsTotal expenditure, revenue receipts, fiscal deficit, and department-wise allocation for Kerala FY 2015-16
Kerala State Budget 2015-16 Budget at a Glance
Total Receipts
Rs 65,200 crore
(excl. borrowings)
Total Expenditure
Rs 87,000 crore
Fiscal Deficit
3.1%
Rs 14,200 crore
Capital Expenditure
Rs 8,500 crore
Tax Revenue
Rs 37,800 crore
Net to Centre
Interest Payments
Rs 11,000 crore
13% of expenditure
Kerala Revenue Receipts 2015-16
Own tax revenue vs non-tax revenue breakdown
Kerala Expenditure Breakdown 2015-16
Revenue vs Capital spending and department allocation
Revenue vs Capital Split
Fiscal Deficit as % of GSDP โ Kerala 2015-16
The fiscal deficit for Kerala in 2015-16 is 3.1% of GSDP (Rs 14,200 crore), reflecting the state's borrowing needs to fund development programmes.
States are expected to maintain fiscal deficit within 3% of GSDP as per the FRBM Act. Kerala is maintaining fiscal discipline close to the recommended limit.
Interest payments at Rs 11,000 crore consume 12.6% of total expenditure.
Kerala State Budget 2015-16 โ Receipts & Expenditure Summary
| Particulars | Amount | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| A. Total Receipts | Rs 90,800 crore | 100% |
| 1. Revenue Receipts | Rs 65,200 crore | 71.8% |
| a. Own Tax Revenue | Rs 37,800 crore | 41.6% |
| b. Non-Tax Revenue | Rs 5,200 crore | 5.7% |
| B. Total Expenditure | Rs 87,000 crore | 100% |
| 1. Revenue Expenditure | Rs 78,500 crore | 90.2% |
| 2. Capital Expenditure | Rs 8,500 crore | 9.8% |
| of which: Interest Payments | Rs 11,000 crore | 12.6% |
| C. Fiscal Deficit | Rs 14,200 crore | 3.1% of GSDP |
Source: Kerala State Budget Documents via PRS India. All figures in Indian Rupees.
Kerala Budget 2015-16 Analysis & Highlights
Key Highlights
- UDF government in final year before 2016 LDF victory.
- Revenue deficit structural โ Kerala consistently borrows for current expenditure.
- Remittance economy robust with Gulf employment at peak levels.
- Health indicators best in India โ life expectancy exceeding 74 years.
- Education system producing highest learning outcomes nationally.
- Outstanding debt-to-GSDP elevated at approximately 30%.
- Tourism growing steadily โ Kochi emerging as cruise destination.
- IT sector at Technopark expanding but still small relative to Bengaluru or Hyderabad.
- Rubber price crash affecting plantation economy and farmer incomes.
- Social security pensions covered 42 lakh beneficiaries.
- Kerala lottery revenue at Rs 8,000 crore โ a mature fiscal resource.
Compare Kerala Budget โ Recent Years
Year-over-year comparison of key fiscal metrics
| Metric | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Expenditure | โ | โ | โ | โ | Rs 87,000 crore |
| Revenue Receipts | โ | โ | โ | โ | Rs 65,200 crore |
| Capital Expenditure | โ | โ | โ | โ | Rs 8,500 crore |
| Fiscal Deficit (% GSDP) | โ | โ | โ | โ | 3.1% |
| Own Tax Revenue | โ | โ | โ | โ | Rs 37,800 crore |
Columns showing "โ" will populate as more data is ingested. Data from official budget documents via PRS India.
Understanding Kerala State Budget 2015-16
The Kerala state budget is the annual financial plan presented in the state legislature. It covers all revenue receipts, expenditure allocations across departments, and fiscal deficit management. State budgets are critical because states handle key development areas including education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Kerala Revenue Sources
State revenue comes from three sources: own tax revenue (state GST, stamp duty, excise, vehicle tax), non-tax revenue (fees, fines, interest), and transfers from the Centre (share of central taxes as per Finance Commission recommendations, plus grants-in-aid for specific schemes).
Fiscal Deficit and State Borrowing
Under the FRBM framework, states target a fiscal deficit of 3% of GSDP. States can borrow from the market via State Development Loans (SDLs), and the central government also provides loans. The RBI manages the borrowing calendar for states to ensure orderly market conditions.
Explore More
Compare Kerala with other states
Side-by-side comparison of fiscal metrics across Indian states