The PM CARES Fund balance rose to approximately ₹8,452 crore for the 2024-25 financial year, according to recently released audited data [1].
The figures highlight a significant gap between the fund's total receipts and its actual spending. This disparity has fueled criticism from opposition parties regarding the management and transparency of the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund [3].
For the financial year ending March 2025, total receipts for the fund reached ₹8,452.95 crore [1]. The total corpus held at the end of March 2025 was reported as ₹8,452.07 crore [2].
A substantial portion of these assets remains unspent. Specifically, ₹7,846.66 crore is held in fixed deposits, which represents roughly 92.8% of the total corpus [2].
Expenditure during the 2024-25 financial year was minimal compared to the total balance. The fund spent approximately ₹88 lakh during the period [3].
The release of this data follows ongoing demands for greater accountability. Opposition leaders said they questioned why such a large sum remains in deposits rather than being deployed for emergency relief [3].
The fund was established to provide a quick response to emergencies, yet the audited accounts show that the vast majority of the capital is being preserved in low-risk financial instruments [2].
“The PM CARES Fund balance rose to approximately ₹8,452 crore.”
The high ratio of fixed deposits to expenditures suggests the PM CARES Fund is currently operating more as a reserve endowment than an active spending vehicle. While the accumulation of funds ensures long-term stability for future crises, the minimal spending in FY 2024-25 provides a focal point for political critics who argue the fund is underutilized or lacks a clear deployment strategy for immediate public relief.
