New Delhi, Aug. 1 -- India's fiscal deficit nearly doubled in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (FY26), compared with the same period of the last year, driven by a sharp rise in capital expenditure, signalling the government's continued push to support economic growth through public investment. Data released on Thursday by the Controller General of Accounts showed the fiscal deficit for April-June (Q1 FY26) at Rs.2.81 lakh crore, or 17.9% of the full-year target. The fiscal deficit stood at Rs.1.36 lakh crore in the same period last year. The surge comes amid a ramp-up in central government capex, which rose to Rs.2.75 lakh crore in Q1, 24.5% of the annual goal, compared to Rs.1.81 lakh crore a year earlier. While the fiscal gap widened...