The Lok Sabha has passed the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026, authorising the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to regularise excess government expenditure incurred during the 2022–23 financial year. The Bill is a key constitutional requirement in India’s financial and budgetary process.

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• The Lok Sabha passed the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 by voice vote on 4 August 2026, authorising excess expenditure incurred by the Union Government during the financial year ending 31 March 2023.
• Introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Bill seeks parliamentary approval to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India, ensuring constitutional compliance for government spending.
• An Appropriation Bill is a Money Bill under Article 114 of the Constitution and provides the legal authority required for expenditure approved by Parliament.
• The Consolidated Fund of India, established under Article 266, is the government’s primary account where all tax revenues, loans received, and loan recoveries are deposited before expenditure is authorised.
• Under Article 110, a Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, while the Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes and cannot amend or reject the legislation.
• The Rajya Sabha must return a Money Bill within 14 days with its recommendations, although the Lok Sabha is not constitutionally bound to accept those suggestions.
• The Bill regularises excess expenditure on specified government services during FY 2022–23, ensuring that public spending remains accountable and complies with constitutional financial procedures.
• Following its passage in the Lok Sabha, the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 awaits consideration in the Rajya Sabha before completing the remaining constitutional process.