Details of Defence Expenditure as a percentage of the Government Expenditure from Financial Year 2014-15 to 2022-23 are tabulated below:
(Rs in Crore)
| Year | Defence Expenditure
(Gross) |
Central Government Expenditure | Defence Expenditure as a percentage of Central Government Expenditure |
| 2014-15 (Actual) | 3,17,207 | 16,63,673 | 19.07 |
| 2015-16 (Actual) | 3,27,096 | 17,90,783 | 18.27 |
| 2016-17 (Actual) | 3,89,614 | 19,75,194 | 19.73 |
| 2017-18 (Actual) | 4,17,242 | 21,41,973 | 19.48 |
| 2018-19 (Actual) | 4,42,683 | 23,15,113 | 19.12 |
| 2019-20 (Actual) | 4,88,795 | 26,86,330 | 18.20 |
| 2020-21 (Actual) | 5,23,330 | 35,09,836 | 14.91 |
| 2021-22 (RE) | 5,35,508 | 37,70,000 | 14.20 |
| 2022-23 (BE) | 5,55,484 | 39,44,909 | 14.08 |
It is seen from above data that Defence Expenditure as a percentage of Central Government Expenditure may appear to be decreasing due to increasing trend in the growth of Central Government Expenditure. However, Defence Expenditure is increasing in absolute terms, implying higher spending.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Binoy Viswam in Rajya Sabha today.