The Union Cabinet has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners, taking the DA rate from 58% to 60% of basic pay.
The revision will be effective from January 2026, and employees will also receive arrears for the backdated period.
"The combined impact on the exchequer on account of an increase in both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs 6,791.24 crore per annum. This will benefit about 50.46 lakh central government employees and 68.27 lakh pensioners, said the Ministry of Finance.
This DA hike is being implemented under the 7th Pay Commission after the National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery (NC-JCM), which is the main body representing central government employees, wrote to the Cabinet Secretary urging faster action on the DA revision.
The revision comes at a time when the 8th Pay Commission has begun consultation with stakeholders for the next set of salary and pension overhaul.
How Much Will Level 1-18 Government Employees Earn?
At Level 1, with a basic pay of Rs 18,000, the total salary increases from Rs 28,440 to Rs 28,800. This results in a monthly hike of Rs 360.
At Level 2, with a basic pay of Rs 19,900, the salary rises from Rs 31,442 to Rs 31,840, giving an increase of ₹398 per month.
At Level 3, employees with a basic pay of Rs 21,700 will see their salary go up from Rs 34,286 to Rs 34,720, which means an increase of Rs 434.
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At Level 4, with a basic pay of Rs 25,500, the salary increases from Rs 40,290 to Rs 40,800, resulting in a Rs 510 monthly rise.
At Level 5, employees earning a basic pay of Rs 29,200 will see their salary rise from Rs 46,136 to Rs 46,720, which is a rise of Rs 584.
At Level 6, with a basic pay of Rs 35,400, the salary increases from Rs 55,932 to Rs 56,640, resulting in a Rs 708 monthly increase.
At Level 7, employees with a basic pay of Rs 44,900 will see their salary go up from Rs 70,942 to Rs 71,840, a rise of Rs 898.
At Level 8, with a basic pay of Rs 47,600, the salary increases from Rs 75,208 to Rs 76,160, resulting in a Rs 952 increase.
At Level 9, employees earning Rs 53,100 will see their salary rise from Rs 83,898 to Rs 84,960, an increase of Rs 1,062.
At Level 10, with a basic pay of Rs 56,100, the salary increases from Rs 88,638 to Rs 89,760, giving a monthly hike of Rs 1,122.
At Level 11, employees with a basic pay of Rs 67,700 will see their salary rise from Rs 1,06,966 to Rs 1,08,320, an increase of Rs 1,354.
At Level 12, with a basic pay of Rs 78,800, the salary increases from Rs 1,24,504 to Rs 1,26,080, resulting in a Rs 1,576 rise.
At Level 13, employees earning Rs 1,23,100 will see their salary go up from Rs 1,94,498 to Rs 1,96,960, a monthly increase of Rs 2,462.
At Level 13A, with a basic pay of Rs 1,31,100, the salary rises from Rs 2,07,138 to Rs 2,09,760, giving an increase of Rs 2,622.
At Level 14, employees with a basic pay of Rs 1,44,200 will see their salary increase from Rs 2,27,836 to Rs 2,30,720, a rise of Rs 2,884.
At Level 15, with a basic pay of Rs 1,82,200, the salary increases from Rs 2,87,876 to Rs 2,91,520, resulting in a Rs 3,644 monthly hike.
At Level 16, employees earning Rs 2,05,400 will see their salary rise from Rs 3,24,532 to Rs 3,28,640, an increase of Rs 4,108.
At Level 17, with a basic pay of Rs 2,25,000, the salary increases from Rs 3,55,500 to Rs 3,60,000, giving a Rs 4,500 rise.
At Level 18, employees with a basic pay of Rs 2,50,000 will see their salary go up from Rs 3,95,000 to Rs 4,00,000, which results in the highest monthly increase of Rs 5,000.
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