Guwahati, July 10: Assam’s fiscal and economic position has undergone a major transformation over the past decade, with the state’s budget expanding nearly threefold to ₹2,00,782 crore in 2025–26, according to the Budget presented by Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah.
The budget document states that budget utilisation has improved significantly, rising from 58 per cent to a record 85 per cent, reflecting stronger implementation capacity and more efficient use of public resources.
The state’s financial strength has also grown considerably. Assam’s Own Tax Revenue increased from ₹12,848 crore in 2015–16 to ₹39,294 crore in 2025–26, driven by improved tax compliance, technology-enabled governance and sustained economic growth. The share of Own Source Revenue in total revenue receipts has risen from 30 per cent to 36 per cent, with the government targeting 50 per cent by 2031 to enhance fiscal self-reliance.
Capital expenditure has recorded a sharp increase, rising from ₹2,951 crore in 2015–16 to ₹26,531 crore in 2025–26. The government has pledged to maintain annual capital expenditure growth of at least 10 per cent, with emphasis on productive and asset-creating investments.
The budget also notes that the 16th Finance Commission has raised Assam’s inter-se share from 3.128 per cent to 3.258 per cent, a revision expected to bring around ₹50,000 crore in central devolution during the current financial year.
Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) have expanded substantially. Their number has increased from nine projects worth about ₹7,500 crore during the 14th Finance Commission period to 21 projects valued at nearly ₹53,000 crore under the 15th Finance Commission. Total disbursements have risen from about ₹3,748 crore to over ₹14,400 crore, while annual disbursements now exceed ₹6,000 crore.
Despite higher development spending, the government has maintained fiscal discipline. The Debt-to-GSDP ratio stood at 24.81 per cent in 2025–26, well below the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) limit of 32 per cent.
Institutional credit flow has also improved, with the Credit-Deposit Ratio increasing from 41.10 per cent in March 2016 to 73.52 per cent in March 2026, indicating that a greater share of deposits mobilised in the state is being channelled into productive economic activities.
The budget further states that Assam’s per capita income has more than tripled over the past decade, rising from ₹60,817 in 2015–16 to ₹1,85,429 in 2025–26, reflecting broader and more inclusive economic growth.
