Archive · 19 Aug 2026
PM CARES Balance Rises Despite Falling Donations and Spending
The PM CARES Fund is money collected to help people during emergencies.
It was created by the Indian government during the Covid pandemic.
In the latest year, people and organisations donated less money from India and abroad.
Even so, the fund became larger because it earned interest from its bank deposits and received other amounts.
Its balance was about Rs 8,452 crore on March 31, 2025.
Most of the money was kept in fixed deposits, which earned about Rs 469 crore in interest.
The fund spent about Rs 87.85 lakh during the year.
Nearly all of that spending supported the PM CARES for Children Scheme.
Domestic donations fell about 30% to Rs 479.04-479.05 crore in FY2024-25 from Rs 681.81 crore.
Foreign contributions declined from about Rs 1.13 crore to Rs 92.8 lakh, although one report lists Rs 9.28 lakh.
The fund’s closing balance reached Rs 8,452.06 crore on March 31, 2025, up from about Rs 7,173 crore.
Fixed deposits held Rs 7,846.65 crore, while savings accounts held about Rs 605 crore.
Total payments fell to Rs 87.85 lakh, including Rs 87.8 lakh for the PM CARES for Children Scheme.
- Who
- The PM CARES Fund, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and administered by ex-officio trustees including the Defence, Home and Finance Ministers.
- What
- Its audit report showed falling donations and spending but a closing balance of about Rs 8,452 crore.
- When
- The figures cover financial year 2024-25, ending March 31, 2025.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The fund was established to respond to emergencies and distress situations, including the Covid pandemic.
- Closing balance
- Rs 8,452.06 crore as of March 31, 2025
- Total receipts
- Rs 8,452.95 crore in FY2024-25, compared with Rs 7,188.63 crore in FY2023-24
- Domestic donations
- Rs 479.04-479.05 crore in FY2024-25, down from Rs 681.81 crore
- Foreign donations
- Most reports state Rs 92.8 lakh in FY2024-25, down from about Rs 1.13 crore; one account reports Rs 9.28 lakh
- Fund investments
- Rs 7,846.65 crore was held in fixed deposits and about Rs 605 crore in savings accounts
- Interest income
- Fixed deposits generated about Rs 469.37-469.38 crore in FY2024-25
- Total payments
- Rs 87.85 lakh in FY2024-25, compared with Rs 15.60 crore the previous year
- Earlier emergency spending
- In FY2021-22, the fund spent Rs 1,703 crore on oxygen plants and Rs 835 crore on ventilators
