Types of Budget: Balanced, Surplus & Deficit

Introduction

A government budget is an annual financial statement outlining projected receipts and expenditures for the forthcoming fiscal year. There are three types of budgets: balanced, surplus, and deficit, which are determined by the accuracy of these estimates. The following is a brief description of the three different budget types:

Balanced Budget: Fiscal Equilibrium Between Means and Ends

• Meaning: Government spending for a given fiscal year equals anticipated government revenue, i.e Revenue = Expenditure.
• Living Within Means: Based on the idea of “living within means,” this kind of budget is supported by many classical economists.
• A balanced budget indicates a neutral fiscal stance. 
• Merits of Balanced Budget: Ensures economic stability and government refrains from imprudent expenditures.
• Demerits of a Balanced Budget: Inapplicable in less developed countries and Restricts the government from spending on public welfare.
  • Theoretically, It is simple to strike a balance between projected expenses and income, However, in practice, it is difficult to do.

Surplus Budget: Fiscal Abundance for Economic Stabilization

• Meaning: Expected government revenues exceed the estimated government expenditure in a particular financial year, i.e, Revenue > Expenditure.
• A surplus budget suggests a contractionary fiscal stance.
• It denotes the financial affluence of a country.

Deficit Budget: Growth through Fiscal Expansion and Public Investment

• Meaning: Estimated government expenditure exceeds the expected government revenue in a particular financial year, i.e., Revenue < Expenditure.
• A deficit budget indicates an expansionary fiscal stance, which might be a response to stimulate economic growth during downturns, though it leads to an accumulation of government debt.
• This results in an increase in demand for goods and services which helps in reviving the Indian economy.
• Government incurs excessive expenditure to improve the employment rate.
• The government covers this amount through public borrowings.

Conclusion

• The three types of budgets—balanced, surplus, and deficit—reflect different scenarios regarding the alignment of projected expenses and income. 
• These classifications serve as essential indicators of fiscal management and economic stability, shaping government policies and financial strategies accordingly.