New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- India's fiscal deficit-the gap between government expenditure and receipts-widened in the first five months of this financial year (FY27) as capital spending and outlays on major subsidies such as food and fertiliser increased. According to the latest monthly accounts released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on Wednesday, the fiscal deficit stood at Rs.7.10 lakh crore, or 41.9% of the full-year budget estimate, during April-August of FY27. This deficit was 38.1% of the annual target in the corresponding period of the previous year. At the end of July, it stood at 26.8% of the annual target. The Centre has budgeted a fiscal deficit of Rs.16.96 lakh crore, or 4.3% of GDP, for FY27. It is relying on robust tax collections and higher non-tax revenues in the coming months to meet this target. The fiscal deficit is typically financed through borrowings. The widening fiscal gap in August assumes significance as the government has cut its FY27 market borrowing by nearly Rs.1.2 lakh crore and now plans to raise Rs.7.86 lakh crore through dated government securities in the second half of the fiscal year....