Important questions for UPSC Pre/ Mains/ Interview:
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Context
The Government has presented Supplementary Demands for Grants 2025-26 in Parliament to seek approval for extra spending beyond the Union Budget.
Q1. What is “Demand for Grants”?
Demand for Grants in India refers to the government’s request to Parliament for approval to spend money from the Consolidated Fund of India for a particular financial year.
- Each ministry/department submits demands to fund its programmes.
- These are presented in the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha.
- Parliament debates and votes before money can be withdrawn.
It’s the formal process by which the government seeks Parliament’s approval for its annual expenditure.
Q2. What are the different types of Demand for Grants under Article 115 of the Constitution?
The Article 115 provides for additional grants when the initial budgetary allocation becomes insufficient.
| Type of Grant | Explanation |
| Supplementary Grant | Sought when the amount authorised in the budget for a particular service is insufficient during the financial year, requiring additional funds. |
| Additional Grant | Required when the government needs funds for a new service or activity not originally included in the budget. |
| Excess Grant | Granted when actual expenditure exceeds the amount approved by Parliament for a particular service. This is approved after the financial year following examination by the Public Accounts Committee. |
These grants ensure that government expenditure remains under parliamentary oversight even when additional spending becomes necessary.
Q3. What are the three types of Supplementary Grants?
Supplementary Grants can take different forms depending on the nature of the additional expenditure.
| Type | Meaning |
| Token Supplementary Grant | A nominal amount (often ₹1) is sought from Parliament to obtain approval for re-appropriating funds from one head of expenditure to another without increasing overall spending. |
| Technical Supplementary Grant | Used when funds are transferred between ministries or departments for accounting or administrative reasons. It usually does not increase the overall expenditure of the government. |
| Substantive / Cash Supplementary Grant | Requested when the government requires actual additional funds in cash because the original allocation is inadequate. |
Conclusion
Supplementary Demands for Grants allow the government to seek Parliamentary approval for additional expenditure during the financial year. Through provisions such as supplementary, additional, and excess grants under Article 115, the Constitution ensures that even unforeseen or extra spending remains subject to legislative scrutiny and financial accountability.
