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2% DA Hike Approved – 60% DA from January 2026 for Central Govt Employees & Pensioners
Cabinet Approves 2% DA Hike – Total DA/DR now 60% from January 2026
Announcement by: Union Cabinet, Government of India
Effective Date: 01 January 2026 (retrospective)
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners. The total DA/DR rate now stands at 60% (up from 58%).
Key Highlights
- Effective Date: Retrospective from 1st January 2026
- Arrears: Payable for January, February & March 2026
- Beneficiaries: Over 50 lakh Central Government employees + 68 lakh pensioners
- Background: Based on AICPI-IW data ending December 2025
This hike comes amid ongoing demands from employee unions ahead of the 8th Pay Commission recommendations.
📄 Official Press Release (PDF): View / Download
WhatsApp Telegram Facebook PDFFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the new DA rate from January 2026?
Total DA/DR is now 60% after the 2% hike.
2. From when is the hike effective?
Retrospective from 1st January 2026.
3. Will arrears be paid?
Yes – arrears for January, February and March 2026 will be released.
4. How many people will benefit?
More than 50 lakh employees and 68 lakh pensioners.