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CAG Report: Telangana Spent 12.74% of Revenue on Interest, Relied on RBI WMA for 363 Days

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
12 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:12.74% of revenue expenditure₹29,679 crore interest paid₹19,369 crore budgeted interest363 out of 365 days WMA62% WMA by 3 states₹16,772 crore non-tax revenue
Bodies:CAGRBI
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Telangana spent 12.74% of revenue expenditure on interest payments in 2024-25, higher than pension payments and second only to salaries.

2.Telangana, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh together availed 62% of total RBI Ways and Means Advances, with Telangana dependent on WMA for 363 days.

3.Despite high own-tax revenues (top 60%+ states) and non-tax revenues from land sales, Telangana reported a revenue deficit (receipts = 90% of revenue expenditure).

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The CAG report for 2024-25 reveals that Telangana spent 12.74% of its revenue expenditure on interest payments, ranking among 11 high-debt states. The state relied on RBI's Ways and Means Advances for 363 out of 365 days, signaling severe fiscal stress from past borrowings. This highlights debt sustainability and fiscal discipline — critical for State PSC and UPSC prelims.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Interest to Revenue Expenditure12.74%
States above 10% threshold11 states
Interest paid (2024-25)₹29,679 crore
Budgeted interest (2024-25)₹19,369 crore
WMA availed by Telangana + Rajasthan + Andhra62% of total
Days Telangana used WMA363 of 365
Non-tax revenues₹16,772 crore (71% from land/property)
Revenue deficit statusReceipts = 90% of revenue expenditure

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Interest to Revenue Expenditure: 12.74%
  • ›States above 10% threshold: 11 states
  • ›Target this Data: Interest expenditure of Telangana = 12.74% of revenue expenditure in 2024-25
  • ›Target this Data: Telangana used RBI WMA for 363 out of 365 days
  • ›Target this Institution: Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) — report on State Finances 2024-25

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which constitutional body audited the state finances of Telangana and published the report mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the financial status of Telangana in 2024-25:

1. The state spent 12.74% of its total expenditure on interest payments.

2. Telangana, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh together availed 62% of the total Ways and Means Advances from RBI.

3. Telangana's own tax revenues were in excess of 60%, yet it reported a revenue deficit.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the CAG report on State Finances 2024-25, for how many days did Telangana rely on RBI's Ways and Means Advances?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What does the high interest payment (12.74% of revenue expenditure) and heavy reliance on RBI Ways and Means Advances primarily indicate about Telangana's fiscal position?

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