The Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners i confirmed to increase by 2%, rising from 58% to 60%, effective from January 1, 2026, based on Staff News and The Economic Times reports. This hike is expected to receive formal Union Cabinet approval shortly, with arrears for January to March to be paid later.
The Economic Times +3
The Economic Times +3Key Details on DA Hike (January 2026)
- New Rate: 60% of basic pay/pension, up from 58% (an increase of 2 percentage points).
- Effective Date: January 1, 2026.
- Approval Status: Expected to be approved by the Cabinet in March 2026.
- Impact: Covers roughly 49 lakh employees and 68 lakh pensioners.
- Source Data: The hike is based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) released by the Labour Bureau, which averaged at 148.2 for late 2025.
The Economic Times +3
Contextual Information
- Previous Hike: The Cabinet had previously approved a 3% hike to 55% effective from July 1, 2025, according to this Department of Expenditure document.
- 8th Pay Commission: Discussions regarding the 8th Pay Commission are ongoing, with its implementation and new pay structures anticipated to begin in 2026.
DEPARTMENT OF Expenditure +3
Note: The official memorandum from the Department of Expenditure is typically released shortly after the Cabinet announcement, which is expected to be formalized in late March 2026.
DA Hike for central government employees – The Economic Times
16 Mar 2026 — What can be the DA hike for January 2026? As per the 12-month average AICPI reading, the DA hike is most likely to be 2%. At a 2% hike, DA will jump from 58% to…
The Economic Times
Cabinet may approve hike in DA/DR from Jan, 2026 in today’s meeting
25 Mar 2026 — According to a recent report by StaffNews, the DA/DR from January 2026 has been confirmed at 60%. The All-India CPI-IW for December 2025 remained at 148.2 point…
Staff News
DAeng7CPC.pdf – DEPARTMENT OF Expenditure
6 Oct 2025 — 1/1(1)/2025-E. II(B) dated 2nd April, 2025 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the rates of Dearness Allowanc…
DEPARTMENT OF Expenditure
Cabinet approves 3% hike in Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees and pensioners | DD News
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the release of an additional installment of Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government …
DD News
8th Pay Commission DA Hike Central Government Employees …
1 Feb 2026 — If approved, DA will increase from 58% to 60%, bringing a noticeable rise in monthly salaries and pensions. The official announcement is expected in March 2026,
JobApply24
Dearness Allowance: AICPI-IW jumps to 148.6 in January 2026
2 Mar 2026 — Dearness Allowance: AICPI-IW jumps to 148.6 in January 2026; what it means for next DA hike. … As per the prevailing norm set by the 7th Central Pay Commissio…
Upstox
8th Pay Commission Salary Calculator – ClearTax
15 Jan 2026 — The 8th Pay Commission, set to be implemented from January 2026, will bring significant changes for Central Government pensioners: Revision of Pension Amounts: …
ClearTax
DA hike update: Govt may announce January-June 2026 revision today, check expected increase
25 Mar 2026 — If the Cabinet clears the proposal today, the revised DA (60%) will be effective from January 1, 2026 and employees and pensioners will receive arrears for Janu…
The Financial Express
8th Pay Commission latest update: Finance Ministry reveals status of …
25 Mar 2026 — The 8th Pay Commission is now functioning in New Delhi. It will submit recommendations on pay, allowances, and pensions within 18 months. Central government emp…
The Economic Times
The Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners is confirmed to increase by 2%, rising from 58% to 60%, effective from January 1, 2026, based on Staff News and The Economic Times reports. This hike is expected to receive formal Union Cabinet approval shortly, with arrears for January to March to be paid later.
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
+3
Key Details on DA Hike (January 2026)
New Rate: 60% of basic pay/pension, up from 58% (an increase of 2 percentage points).
Effective Date: January 1, 2026.
Approval Status: Expected to be approved by the Cabinet in March 2026.
Impact: Covers roughly 49 lakh employees and 68 lakh pensioners.
Source Data: The hike is based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) released by the Labour Bureau, which averaged at 148.2 for late 2025.
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
+3
Contextual Information
Previous Hike: The Cabinet had previously approved a 3% hike to 55% effective from July 1, 2025, according to this Department of Expenditure document.
8th Pay Commission: Discussions regarding the 8th Pay Commission are ongoing, with its implementation and new pay structures anticipated to begin in 2026.
DEPARTMENT OF Expenditure
DEPARTMENT OF Expenditure
+3
Note: The official memorandum from the Department of Expenditure is typically released shortly after the Cabinet announcement, which is expected to be formalized in late March 2026.
DA Hike for central government employees – The Economic Times
16 Mar 2026 — What can be the DA hike for January 2026? As per the 12-month average AICPI reading, the DA hike is most likely to be 2%. At a 2% hike, DA will jump from 58% to…
The Economic Times
Cabinet may approve hike in DA/DR from Jan, 2026 in today’s meeting
25 Mar 2026 — According to a recent report by StaffNews, the DA/DR from January 2026 has been confirmed at 60%. The All-India CPI-IW for December 2025 remained at 148.2 point…
Staff News
DAeng7CPC.pdf – DEPARTMENT OF Expenditure
6 Oct 2025 — 1/1(1)/2025-E. II(B) dated 2nd April, 2025 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the rates of Dearness Allowanc…
DEPARTMENT OF Expenditure
Cabinet approves 3% hike in Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees and pensioners | DD News
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the release of an additional installment of Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government …
DD News
8th Pay Commission DA Hike Central Government Employees …
1 Feb 2026 — If approved, DA will increase from 58% to 60%, bringing a noticeable rise in monthly salaries and pensions. The official announcement is expected in March 2026,
JobApply24
Dearness Allowance: AICPI-IW jumps to 148.6 in January 2026
2 Mar 2026 — Dearness Allowance: AICPI-IW jumps to 148.6 in January 2026; what it means for next DA hike. … As per the prevailing norm set by the 7th Central Pay Commissio…
Upstox
8th Pay Commission Salary Calculator – ClearTax
15 Jan 2026 — The 8th Pay Commission, set to be implemented from January 2026, will bring significant changes for Central Government pensioners: Revision of Pension Amounts: …
ClearTax
DA hike update: Govt may announce January-June 2026 revision today, check expected increase
25 Mar 2026 — If the Cabinet clears the proposal today, the revised DA (60%) will be effective from January 1, 2026 and employees and pensioners will receive arrears for Janu…
The Financial Express
8th Pay Commission latest update: Finance Ministry reveals status of …
25 Mar 2026 — The 8th Pay Commission is now functioning in New Delhi. It will submit recommendations on pay, allowances, and pensions within 18 months. Central government emp…
The Economic Times
