DA hike July 2026: the Union Cabinet has approved a 3% rise. Central government employees now get 63% DA and pensioners 63% DR from 1 July 2026, up from 60%.
Approved on 28 October 2026. Arrears for July to October 2026 (4 months) are expected with the November 2026 salary (DoE OM awaited).
PIB release, 28.10.2026 Confirmed · Updated 28 October 2026
DA hike July 2026 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| New DA / DR | 63% of basic pay / basic pension (was 60%) Confirmed |
| Increase | 3 percentage points |
| Effective from | 1 July 2026 |
| Cabinet approval | 28 October 2026 (PIB release, 28.10.2026) |
| Order for employees | DoE OM awaited (usually issued within a few days of the Cabinet decision) |
| Order for pensioners | DoPPW OM on DR awaited (it follows the DoE order) |
| Arrears | July to October 2026 (4 months) |
| Paid with | November 2026 salary (expected; DoE OM awaited) |
| Who gets it | About 48.54 lakh employees and 68.71 lakh pensioners (PIB) |
| Cost to government | ₹10,016 crore a year (PIB) |
What did the Cabinet approve?
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister approved an extra instalment of Dearness Allowance for central government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners, due from 1 July 2026. Confirmed
DA goes from 60% to 63% of basic pay. DR for pensioners and family pensioners goes up by the same 3 points.
This matches the CPI-IW formula: the 12-month average for July 2025 to June 2026 is 148.65, which gives 63.76%, rounded down to 63%. How the formula works: DA hike tracker.
How much will my salary go up with 63% DA?
Every employee gets 3% of basic pay more each month. Here is the DA at the minimum basic of Levels 1 to 10.
| Pay level | Minimum basic | DA at 60% | DA at 63% | Increase per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹18,000 | ₹10,800 | ₹11,340 | +₹540 |
| Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹11,940 | ₹12,537 | +₹597 |
| Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹13,020 | ₹13,671 | +₹651 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹15,300 | ₹16,065 | +₹765 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹17,520 | ₹18,396 | +₹876 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹21,240 | ₹22,302 | +₹1,062 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹26,940 | ₹28,287 | +₹1,347 |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹28,560 | ₹29,988 | +₹1,428 |
| Level 9 | ₹53,100 | ₹31,860 | ₹33,453 | +₹1,593 |
| Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹33,660 | ₹35,343 | +₹1,683 |
Example: a Level 7 employee on basic ₹44,900 got ₹26,940 DA at 60%. At 63% it is ₹28,287. That is ₹1,347 more a month.
Higher level or higher cell? Use the 7th CPC salary calculator or your level page, e.g. Level 7 salary.
How much DA arrears will I get from July 2026?
DA is due from 1 July 2026. Months already paid at 60% are paid as arrears: July to October 2026 (4 months).
DA arrears = basic pay × 3% × number of months paid at 60%
| Pay level | Minimum basic | Extra per month (3%) | Arrears Jul–Oct (4 months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹18,000 | ₹540 | ₹2,160 |
| Level 2 | ₹19,900 | ₹597 | ₹2,388 |
| Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹651 | ₹2,604 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹765 | ₹3,060 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹876 | ₹3,504 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 | ₹1,062 | ₹4,248 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹1,347 | ₹5,388 |
| Level 8 | ₹47,600 | ₹1,428 | ₹5,712 |
| Level 9 | ₹53,100 | ₹1,593 | ₹6,372 |
| Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹1,683 | ₹6,732 |
Example: Level 7, basic ₹44,900: ₹1,347 × 4 months = ₹5,388 arrears. Got an increment or promotion in between? Use the DA arrears calculator month by month.
Past DoE orders also said: DA stays a separate element of pay (not “pay” under FR 9(21)); 50 paise and above is rounded up to the next rupee; and arrears are not paid before the salary date of the month named in the order. The DoE OM is awaited; we will confirm these terms when it is out.
DR for pensioners: how much more from July 2026?
Pensioners and family pensioners get Dearness Relief at the same 63%. On the minimum pension of ₹9,000 that is ₹270 more a month.
| Basic pension | DR at 60% | DR at 63% | Increase per month | DR arrears Jul–Oct (4 months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹9,000 (minimum) | ₹5,400 | ₹5,670 | +₹270 | ₹1,080 |
| ₹15,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹9,450 | +₹450 | ₹1,800 |
| ₹20,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹12,600 | +₹600 | ₹2,400 |
| ₹30,000 | ₹18,000 | ₹18,900 | +₹900 | ₹3,600 |
| ₹50,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹31,500 | +₹1,500 | ₹6,000 |
| ₹75,000 | ₹45,000 | ₹47,250 | +₹2,250 | ₹9,000 |
| ₹1,25,000 (maximum) | ₹75,000 | ₹78,750 | +₹3,750 | ₹15,000 |
Work out your full pension with DR on the pension calculator. Family pension: see family pension rates.
Who will get 63% DA?
- Central government civilian employees on 7th CPC pay, including Railways and Posts staff.
- CAPF personnel, and defence personnel (the Ministry of Defence issues its own order at the same rate; Railways issue an RBE).
- Central government pensioners and family pensioners, including defence pensioners (DR).
Not covered by this order: State government employees (each state decides its own DA), CPSE staff on IDA pay, and bank employees. Employees still on 5th or 6th CPC pay scales get separate DA orders.
What is the next DA hike? January 2027 outlook
The next instalment is due from 1 January 2027. It uses CPI-IW for January to December 2026. On data up to August 2026 (index 154.4) the running figure is about 65%, so roughly 2 more points on top of 63%. Estimate
Four Labour Bureau releases will settle it:
| CPI-IW for | Release date |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | 30 October 2026 |
| October 2026 | 30 November 2026 |
| November 2026 | 31 December 2026 |
| December 2026 | 29 January 2027 (final number for January 2027 DA) |
We update the DA hike tracker after each release. Full rate list: DA/DR history 2016–2026.
DA hike July 2026 FAQs
How much DA hike has been approved from July 2026?
3 percentage points. DA for central government employees and DR for pensioners go from 60% to 63% from 1 July 2026. The Cabinet approved it on 28 October 2026.
When will 63% DA be paid?
Expected with the November 2026 salary; the DoE order, still awaited, will confirm it. Arrears from 1 July 2026 come with it.
How much DA arrears will I get for July 2026?
Basic pay × 3% × months paid at 60%. Level 1 (basic ₹18,000) gets ₹540 a month more, so ₹2,160 for 4 months.
Will pensioners get 63% DR from July 2026?
Yes. DR rises to 63% from 1 July 2026 under a DoPPW order. On the minimum pension of ₹9,000 that is ₹270 more a month.
What is the expected DA from January 2027?
About 65% on CPI-IW data up to August 2026. The final figure depends on the September to December 2026 indices; the December index comes out on 29 January 2027.
Official sources: PIB release, 28.10.2026 · DoE OM awaited (usually issued within a few days of the Cabinet decision) · DoE DA orders · Labour Bureau CPI-IW
Related: DA hike tracker · DA arrears calculator · DA/DR history · Pension calculator
8thpaycalculator.in is an independent website, not a Government site. Check your figures with your DDO, PAO or pension disbursing authority. Found an error? Report it. How we check facts: Editorial Policy. Updated 28 October 2026 by the 8thpaycalculator.in editorial team.