If you are a former government employee of this Union Territory of North India, then there is great news for you! The Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for its pensioners. This dearness allowance will be considered effective from January 1, 2025. This step will play an extremely important role in helping pensioners fight rising inflation and maintain their standard of living.
What is Dearness Allowance
Dearness allowance is given to government employees and pensioners to neutralize the effect of rising inflation. It is calculated as a percentage of the basic salary of employees and the basic pension of pensioners. Its main objective is to ensure that their purchasing power remains intact even when inflation increases.
Historic decision of the Jammu and Kashmir government
The Jammu and Kashmir government issued an order on June 4, 2025, which talks about increasing the dearness allowance for pensioners. According to this order, the dearness allowance which was currently 53 percent of the basic pension or family pension has now been increased to 55 percent of the basic pension or basic family pension. This 2 percent increase will directly increase the monthly income of the pensioners, giving them more financial stability.
When will the new allowance be applicable
According to the order of the state government, the new rate of dearness allowance (DA Hike in J&K) will be applicable from January 1, 2025. This means that the pensioners will be given the arrears of allowance from January to May 2025 in a lump sum in June 2025. At the same time, from June 2025, they will start getting an allowance every month as per the revised rate. This ensures that the pensioners receive their increased amount without any delay.
Big relief for special-category pensioners too
The Jammu and Kashmir government has also amended the dearness allowance (DA) for special-category pensioners or family pensioners. For them, it has been increased from 246 percent to 252 percent of the basic pension or family pension. This major hike of 6 percent is a major financial assistance for the beneficiaries of this special category. This amendment will also be effective from January 1, 2025, and the arrears till May will be given to them in June.
Effect of the decision of the central government
It is worth noting that the Central Government announced to increase in the dearness allowance for government employees and pensioners at the end of March 2025. The allowance for them was increased from 53 percent to 55 percent. Earlier, the dearness allowance was increased in July 2024, at that time the allowance was increased from 50 percent to 53 percent. This decision of the central government often affects the state governments as well, and they also take similar steps for their employees and pensioners. This decision of the Jammu and Kashmir government is part of this pattern.