Dearness Allowance hike 2026: When did the Centre announce the DA, DR hike last year?

With Dussehra falling on October 20 and Diwali on November 8, expectations are building around a possible festive-season announcement.

Railway employees get 78-day bonus

The maximum bonus payable to an eligible railway employee is ₹17,951. The bonus announcement has drawn attention to the DA/DR revision, which central government employees and pensioners are still awaiting.

When was the DA hike announced last year?

The Union Cabinet approved a 3 percentage point increase in DA for central government employees and DR for pensioners. The decision benefited approximately 1.17 crore employees and pensioners.

What happened to the DA hike in 2024 and 2023?

The government announced the DA and DR revision on October 16 in 2024, approving a 3 percentage point increase that took the rates from 50% to 53%, effective July 1 that year.

In 2023, the government approved a 4 percentage point increase on October 18, raising DA and DR from 42% to 46%, effective July 1.

These past announcements have contributed to expectations of a festive-season revision this year. However, the government has not confirmed a date for the July 2026 increase.

What is the current DA rate?

The current DA rate for central government employees is 60% of basic pay, following a 2 percentage point increase approved in April 2026, effective January 1, 2026.

DA is revised twice a year, generally with effect from January 1 and July 1. It is intended to help employees cope with inflation and is linked to changes in the All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW).