da hike: Good news for government employees. Central government employees are looking forward to their dearness allowance (DA) for the latter half of the year. It is anticipated that the half-yearly DA announcement could come in September or October. In this context, several states have shared positive news by raising their employees’ DA (Dearness Allowance). Recently, Jharkhand has declared an increase in the DA for its workforce. The dearness allowance for government employees in the state has been raised by 9 percent.
DA raised by 9%
The cabinet of the Jharkhand Government has approved an increase in the DA for government employees and pensioners from 58 percent to 60 percent under the seventh pay scale. For the sixth pay scale, the DA has been adjusted from 257 percent to 262 percent, marking a 5 percent rise. In the fifth pay scale, the DA has been elevated from 474 percent to 483 percent, indicating a 9 percent increase in employee allowances. This decision will positively impact thousands of employees and pensioners across the state.
These states have offered gifts
On May 6, Arunachal Pradesh raised the DA and DR for its employees by 2%, effective from January 1, 2026. The DA has now been increased from 58% to 60% of the basic pay, benefiting 69,248 regular employees. This group includes All India Service officers serving under the Arunachal Pradesh government, central government employees on deputation to the state government, and all regular state government employees.
On May 14, Tamil Nadu announced a 2% increase in DA for state government employees, pensioners, and teachers. This increase will take effect from January 1, 2026, raising the DA to 60% of the basic salary. The state government is expected to bear an additional annual cost of ₹1,230 crore. Approximately 1.6 million government employees, teachers, individual pensioners, and family pensioners in Tamil Nadu will benefit from this DA hike.
Additionally, the governments of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have also announced increases in DA. The dearness allowance for Uttar Pradesh employees has increased from 58 percent to 60 percent. This increase will be effective from January 1, 2026. This decision will directly benefit approximately 800,000 state employees and 400,000 pensioners. The DA increase will increase their salaries and pensions.
