Dearness allowance hike for Gramin Dak Sevaks: Approved at same rate as Central Govt employees

Gramin Dak Sevaks will draw dearness allowance at 63% of basic TRCA with effect from July 1, 2026, which is the same rate as central government employees. The Department of Posts informed about the DA hike sanction for Gramin Dak Sevaks on November 4. The DA hike decision has landed just days before Diwali. it has also settled the arrears question for the rural postal workforce.

The order, No. PP-14/1/2021-PAP, follows the central government's own allowance decision.

“Consequent upon grant of another installment of Dearness Allowance with effect from 1st July, 2026 to the Central Government Employees vide Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure's O.M. No. 1/2(i)/2026-E.II.(B) dated 29.10.2026, duly endorsed vide this Department's letters No. PP-08/2/2021-PAP dated 30.10.2026, the Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) have also become entitled to the payment of Dearness Allowances on basic TRCA at the same rates as applicable to Central Government Employees with effect from 01.07.2026, the Department of Posts said .

The operative paragraph of the DoP's order is unambiguous about the rate of DA. It said, “It has, therefore, been decided that the Dearness Allowance payable to the Gramin Dak Sevaks shall be at the same rates as payable to Central Government Employees i.e. @ 63% (percent) with effect from the 1st July, 2026.”

Because the effective date is July 1, the DA hike carries arrears for the intervening months, payable with the allowance at the new rate.

The order further said that “the expenditure on this account shall be debited to the Head ‘Salaries’ under the relevant head of account and should be met from the sanctioned grant.”

The DoP sanction was issued by Gurvinder Singh, Assistant Director General (PAP), and copied to Secretary (Posts), the Director General of Postal Services, all Chief Postmasters General and the Army Postal Service, among others.

For GDS employees, the significance of DA hike lies less in the percentage than in the principle restated in the order: that dearness allowance on basic TRCA moves at “the same rates as applicable to Central Government Employees.”