Dearness allowance hikes in 2026: 13 states raise DA by 2% to 40% before Diwali; full list

The Uttar Pradesh government has hiked DA by 3% for state employees, staff in aided educational and technical institutions, regular and full-time employees of urban local bodies, work-charged employees, and those serving on UGC pay scales.

As per PTI, employees will now receive a DA of 63%, up from 60%. The increased rate will be effective from July 1, 2026, the state government said in a an order dated November 7, 2026.

Employees will get the enhanced dearness allowance along with the regular salary for November 2026.

The Punjab government on Saturday announced a 40% DA hike for 6,507 computer teachers. It also regularised services of 1,007 non-teaching employees working under Samagra Shiksha.

"On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the Punjab government has announced a major benefit for its employees. The government has approved a historic 40 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for 6,507 Computer Teachers (PICTES), taking it from 181 per cent to 221 per cent," Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said in a statement.

The Punjab government on November 4 also announced a 3% DA hike for state government employees and pensioners. CM Mann said this decision will benefit around 8 lakh government employees and pensioners. He also added that the enhanced DA would be reflected in December salaries and pensions.

With the 3% hike, the total DA rate reached 53% in the state.

The Gujarat government has announced a 3% hike in DA for its 4.62 lakh serving employees and 5.07 lakh pensioners. The announcement benefitted over 9.69 lakh beneficiaries ahead of Diwali.

The DA hike decision in the state will be effective from July 1, 2026, and is in line with the Centre's decision.

The beneficiaries of the DA hike in the state include employees of state government departments, panchayat services and other organisations, as well as retired employees covered under the Sixth and Seventh Pay Commissions.

Uttarakhand government has announced 3% DA hike for state government employees, taking the total DA component to 63% of basic pay under the 7th Pay Commission. Like central employees, the DA hike in the state will also be effective from July 1, 2026.

Beneficiaries of the hike in the state include state government employees, eligible personnel working in local bodies, aided educational institutions, state universities, technical educational institutions, and those drawing salaries under the University Grants Commission (UGC) pay scales. Employees will also receive DA arrears from July 1 to October 31.

On October 23, the Himachal Pradesh government announced a 5% increase in DA for the state government employees. It also approved an additional payment of Rs 10,000 to class IV employees ahead of Deepawali, according to PTI.

On October 30, Rajasthan government announced a 3% DA hike. In this state also, the total DA has increased from 60% to 63% of the basic pay, as per PTI. This decision benefitted around 7 lakh government employees and five lakh pensioners with effect from July 1, 2026.

Ahead of Diwali, the Arunachal Pradesh government also hiked DA and DR for state government employees and pensioners. The state has increased DA by 3% from 60% to 63%. The DA hike in the state will also benefit the All India Services (AIS) officers serving under the state government.

On November 5, Karnataka government hiked DA and DR by 2.5% for employees and pensioners receiving salaries under the 2024 Revised Pay Scales, as per PTI. With the latest hike, employees' DA has increased from 15.75% to 18% with effect from July 1, 2026.

On October 31, Tamil Nadu government announced a 3% DA hike, taking the total DA from 60% to 63% of the basic pay, as per PTI. This decision benefitted around 16 lakh employees and pensioners, including teachers and family pensioners.

On October 30, Madhya Pradesh government announced a 2% DA hike, as per PTI. The hike is effective from January 1, 2026. The state government will also pay arrears for nine months from January to September, 2026 in three monthly instalments.

On October 29, the Chhattishgarh government announced a 2% DA hike, from 58% to 60%. The DA in the state has increased to 60% if basic pay with effect from November 1, 2026.

On November 6, the Haryana government announced a 3% DA hike, taking the total from 58% to 60% of basic pay. The hike will benefit around 2.78 lakh regular state government employees and 2.6 lakh pensioners. The revised DA rate will also be provided to employees of boards, corporations and autonomous bodies.

Ahead of Diwali and Chhath festivals, the Bihar government hike DA by 3%, benefitting around 8.5 lakh employees and 3 lakh pensioners. The DA in the state has increased from 60% to 63%. The state government will also provide arrears of four months as the DA hike will be effective from July 1, 2026.