The Centre s fiscal deficit in the first four months of FY24 stood at 33.9% of the annual target, sharply higher than 20.5% a year before. Of course, the deficit until July is still way below the five-year average of 69%. Capex jumped nearly 52% between April and July from a year earlier to ₹3.17 lakh crore, higher than the budgeted annual rise of about 36%.