Archive · 20 Sep 2025
India's States' Debt Triples, Indus Treaty and Elections in Focus
A new report shows that the amount of money that Indian states owe has tripled in the last decade.
Punjab has the highest debt compared to its economy.
Meanwhile, India's deal to share water with Pakistan, the Indus Water Treaty, faces new challenges, including climate change, and siltation.
Elsewhere, there have been reports of fraudulent attempts to remove voters from electoral rolls by submitting false deletion requests (Form 7).
Officials are investigating these actions, however.
Finally, Russia has offered to help India build more nuclear power plants.
Total public debt of 28 states increased from 2013-14 to 2022-23.
Punjab had the highest debt-to-GSDP ratio at 40.35% in 2022-23.
Climate change is impacting the Indus River system and the treaty.
Fraudulent attempts to delete voter names were reported in Karnataka using Form 7.
Russia offers to help India with nuclear plant localization.
- Who
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
- What
- Report on states' fiscal health, Indus Water Treaty's future, electoral roll issues
- When
- FY 2013-14 to 2022-23 and current
- Where
- 28 Indian states, Indus river basin, Karnataka
- Why
- Analyze state finances, ensure water sharing, address electoral roll integrity
No specific opposing viewpoints
No specific opposing viewpoints
Indus Waters Treaty's future
No specific opposing viewpoints
The treaty requires updating given climate change and other current issues.
No specific opposing viewpoints
The treaty was a framework from 1960.
Voter Roll Integrity
No specific opposing viewpoints
Concerns arise regarding fraudulent attempts to delete voter names.
No specific opposing viewpoints
Officials have safeguards to prevent improper deletions.
- Total Public Debt (FY 2022-23)
- ₹59.60 lakh crore
- Debt-to-GSDP (FY 2022-23 Average)
- 20%
- Highest Debt-to-GSDP (FY 2022-23)
- Punjab: 40.35%
- States using debt for current expenses
- 11
- Indus Water Treaty
- Signed Sept. 19, 1960
- Form 7
- Objection for deletion in existing electoral roll
Sources
CAG report on 2013-14 to 2022-23: Fiscal health of states under strain as public debt trebles in 10 years
CAG report: Punjab and West Bengal lead in public debt
CAG report: AAP ruled Punjab and TMC ruled West Bengal lead in public debt liability