DA Hike: Ahead of Chhath Puja, Bihar government employees and pensioners have received welcome news. At a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary on November 10, 2026, the government approved a proposal to raise dearness allowance (DA). For employees paid under the seventh pay scale, DA has increased from 60 percent to 63 percent.

Bihar Government Hikes DA

This is a 3 percent increase in DA, effective from July 1, 2026. Here’s a simple explanation of how the change may affect salaries.

First, what is DA?

DA stands for Dearness Allowance. The government pays it to employees to help offset the effects of inflation. DA is revised as the prices of goods and essential commodities rise. It is calculated based on an employee’s basic salary. DA is not the same amount for every employee. The higher the basic salary, the greater the DA received.

2. What is the dearness allowance now?

Previously, employees under the seventh pay scale received DA at 60 percent.
It has now risen to 63 percent.
This means employees will receive an additional 3 percent of their basic salary as DA.
The increase is effective from July 1, 2026.
Both employees and pensioners will benefit from the decision.
They will also receive arrears for the period from July until the revised payment begins.

3. What will the increase mean for someone with a basic salary of Rs 10,000?

Suppose an employee has a basic salary of Rs 10,000.
At the previous DA rate of 60 percent, they received Rs 6,000.
At the new rate of 63 percent, they will receive Rs 6,300.
Previously, Basic Salary + DA totaled Rs 16,000.
Now, Basic Salary + DA will total Rs 16,300.
That means an additional Rs 300 per month.
The total additional benefit over a year will be Rs 3,600.

4. Details for employees with a basic salary of Rs 20,000

Basic Salary: Rs 20,000. DA at the previous rate of 60 percent: Rs 12,000.
DA at the new rate of 63 percent: Rs 12,600.

First Basic + DA: Rs 32,000.
Now Basic + DA: Rs 32,600.
There will be an additional benefit of Rs 600 every month and Rs 7,200 in a year.

5. How much will those with a basic salary of Rs 30,000 get?

Basic Salary: Rs 30,000.
First 60 percent DA: Rs 18,000.
Now 63 percent DA: Rs 18,900.
First Basic + DA: Rs 48,000.
Now Basic + DA: Rs 48,900.
That means you will get Rs 900 extra every month and Rs 10,800 extra in a year.

6. Accounts for those with 40,000 and 50,000 basic

Basic salary: Rs 40,000
Old DA: Rs 24,000.
New DA: Rs 25,200.
Additional monthly allowance: Rs 1,200.
Annual Additional: Rs 14,400.
Basic salary Rs 50,000:
Old DA: Rs 30,000.
New DA: Rs 31,500.
Additional monthly allowance: Rs 1,500.
Annual Additional: Rs 18,000.

7. From which month will the increased DA be available and how much will be the arrears?

The government has made the increase effective from July 1, 2026. This means the revised DA will be calculated from July. The difference in the months for which payment has been made on the old DA can be found in the arrears. For example, an employee with a basic salary of Rs 20,000 will get an additional Rs 600 every month. If we take the example of four months from July to October, it will be 600 × 4 = Rs 2,400. The actual period and date of payment of arrears will be decided as per the official order of the Government.

8. Fifth and sixth pay scales will also benefit.

In the cabinet decision, relief has been given not only to those in the seventh pay scale but also to the employees of the old pay scale. 7th Pay Commission: Increased from 60% to 63%. Sixth Pay Commission: Increased from 262% to 269%. Fifth Pay Commission: Increased from 483% to 497%. Eligible employees and pensioners falling under these pay scales will also get the benefit of the revised rates.

9. What will be the benefit to pensioners?

Eligible pensioners will also benefit from this decision. For pensioners it is called Dearness Relief (DR). The additional amount will be decided based on the calculation of their pension. Eligible people receiving family pension will also get the benefit. They will also be paid as per the revised rates. The actual increase will depend on their basic pension and applicable rules.