New Delhi, April 18, 2026 (Daily Kiran): Central government employees are still awaiting clarity on the Dearness Allowance (DA) hike, with no official announcement made so far for the January–June 2026 cycle.
Traditionally, the DA revision is announced around March, ahead of Holi, and is reflected in salaries along with arrears for January and February. However, the delay this year means that any upcoming revision is likely to include arrears for three months—January, February, and March.
As per the formula recommended by the 7th Pay Commission, DA revisions are linked to the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW). Current estimates suggest a possible increase of around 2 percentage points, which would take DA from the existing 58 percent to 60 percent of basic salary. Some employee groups are also expecting a 3 percent hike, which would raise it to 61 percent.
The government revises DA and Dearness Relief (DR) twice a year—in January and July—to offset the impact of inflation, although announcements are typically made later.
In this context, Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary of the National Council (Staff Side), Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM), has written to the Cabinet Secretary on April 13, 2026, urging early announcement of the pending DA installment effective from January 1, 2026.
In the letter, he highlighted that the delay has caused concern among employees and pensioners and requested immediate intervention to expedite the process.
If approved soon, the revised DA is expected to be reflected in upcoming salary cycles along with pending arrears.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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