Business Desk, New Delhi. DA Hike 2026: Central employees and pensioners felt disappointed this time on Dussehra. But now before Diwali, on 28th October, the government will pay dearness allowance (DA News 2026) can give a big Diwali gift of increase. No decision regarding DA hike could be taken in the Union Cabinet meetings held on 14 and 21 October. Since then, lakhs of employees and pensioners are eagerly waiting for the next possible meeting to be held on October 28.
Bonus announced on 16th October
The government had announced non-performance linked bonus for the employees on October 16, but did not say anything on Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief (DA DR Hike). DA and DR are that part of the basic salary, which is given to employees and pensioners to protect them from the impact of ever-increasing inflation.
It was expected that the DA hike of July 2026 would be announced before Dussehra, as it has been happening in late September or early October in previous years.
DA is updated twice a year based on All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) data as per the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission. Generally these are announced in March and October and are implemented from January and July. Earlier in April, the government had increased DA from 58% to 60%, which was implemented from January 1, 2026.
Since this time Diwali is on 8th November, according to media reports, this Diwali gift can be approved in the meeting on 28th October.
What is the trend of announcement of July DA installment in 5 years?
- 2025: DA increased to 58% with 3% increase on October 1
- 2024: 3% increase on October 16, DA reached 53%
- 2023: Increase of 4% on October 18, rates became 46%
- 2022: DA increased to 38% with 4% increase on September 28
- 2021: 3% increase on October 21, rates reached 31%
Organizations appeal to PM Modi
Dr. Manjit Singh Patel, National President of All India NPS Employees Federation, says that no decision was taken on DA-DR (DA DR Hike 2026) in three consecutive cabinet meetings. Usually, the October salary includes increased DA and arrears of previous months, but this time due to the indifference of the government, this is not happening.
He said in sharp words that the DA increase of 3 to 4% pending from July 2026 is the right of the employees, it is not a dole. There is great despair in the families of the employees due to lack of money in hand during the festive season.
The Federation has directly appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately intervene in this matter and get the file approved, so that the employees can get financial relief this Diwali.
Source: www.jagran.com
