Overview
- The hike, expected in April 2026, would raise Dearness Allowance for central staff from 58% to about 60%.
- Once notified, the change would take effect from January 1, 2026, with arrears for January through March paid with April salary.
- The same percentage move would apply to Dearness Relief for pensioners, reaching about 50 lakh employees and 65 lakh pensioners.
- The pause in the usual March window stems from the move from the 7th Pay Commission to the 8th, which was set up in November 2025 with 18 months to file recommendations.
- The estimate is based on the CPI-IW reading of 148.2 for December 2025 under the 7th Pay Commission formula, and the government typically rounds the final rate.