Last Updated: March 31, 2026 | Source: Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India
AICPIN February 2026 has been officially released by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India. The AICPIN February 2026 data shows the All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) stood at 148.5 points — a marginal decrease of 0.1 points from 148.6 in January 2026. This AICPIN February 2026 figure is the second monthly input used to calculate the Expected DA from July 2026 for central government employees and pensioners.
AICPIN February 2026 – Official Data Released by Labour Bureau
The official press release (F.No. 5/1/2021-CPI, dated 30.03.2026) confirms the AICPIN February 2026 index:
- AICPIN February 2026 (CPI-IW): 148.5 points (Base Year 2016=100)
- Change from January 2026: Decreased by 0.1 points
- Year-on-Year Inflation (Feb 2026): 3.99%
- Year-on-Year Inflation (Feb 2025): 2.59%
- Data Coverage: 317 markets across 88 industrial centres
AICPIN February 2026 Monthly Data Table for DA July 2026 Calculation
The DA from July 2026 uses the 12-month average of CPI-IW from January to June 2026. Below is the tracker including AICPIN February 2026:
| Month | CPI-IW (2016=100) | Change | Cumulative DA % (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 148.6 | +0.4 | ~60.85% |
| February 2026 | 148.5 | -0.1 | ~61.x% |
| March 2026 | Awaited | — | — |
| April 2026 | Awaited | — | — |
| May 2026 | Awaited | — | — |
| June 2026 | Awaited | — | — |
Expected DA from July 2026 Based on AICPIN February 2026
Based on the AICPIN February 2026 data and January 2026 figures, here is the current projection for DA from July 2026:
| Pay Commission | Current DA (Jan 2026) | Expected DA (July 2026) | Expected Hike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th CPC | 60% | ~63% | ~3% |
| 6th CPC | 261% | ~268% | ~6-7% |
| 5th CPC | As applicable | Higher | Proportional |
Note: If the CPI-IW remains stationary after AICPIN February 2026, the DA from July 2026 for 7th CPC employees is projected at 63% — a 3% hike over the current 60%.
How is DA Calculated Using AICPIN February 2026?
The Dearness Allowance for central government employees is revised twice a year. Using the AICPIN February 2026 figure, the formula under 7th CPC is:
DA% = [(Average of AICPIN for past 12 months / 261.42) – 1] × 100
- For DA from July 2026, the 12-month average from July 2025 to June 2026 is used
- The base index for 7th CPC DA is 261.42 (Base Year: 2001=100 converted)
- The final DA is rounded to the nearest whole number
- AICPIN February 2026 at 148.5 is the second data point in this calculation
DA History – Before and After AICPIN February 2026
| Effective Date | DA Rate (7th CPC) | Hike |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | 58% | +3% |
| January 2026 | 60% | +2% |
| July 2026 (Expected) | ~63% | ~3% |
Salary Impact: 3% DA Hike Based on AICPIN February 2026 Projection
If the AICPIN February 2026 trend holds and DA rises by 3% from July 2026, here is the estimated salary benefit:
| Pay Level | Basic Pay (₹) | 3% DA Increase (₹/month) | Annual Benefit (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 18,000 | 540 | 6,480 |
| Level 4 | 25,500 | 765 | 9,180 |
| Level 6 | 35,400 | 1,062 | 12,744 |
| Level 8 | 47,600 | 1,428 | 17,136 |
| Level 10 | 56,100 | 1,683 | 20,196 |
| Level 12 | 78,800 | 2,364 | 28,368 |
| Level 14 | 1,44,200 | 4,326 | 51,912 |
Official Government References for AICPIN February 2026
- Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment – Official Website
- Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) – DA Orders
- Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) – Official Orders
- Department of Expenditure – Dearness Allowance OMs
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Disclaimer: The DA projections based on AICPIN February 2026 are subject to change as more monthly CPI-IW data becomes available. The final DA rate will be officially notified by the Government of India after the complete six-month data (Jan–June 2026) is released.