DA Hike: Just ahead of the Dussehra festival, the Kerala state government has presented its employees with a generous gesture. The government has declared a 2 percent rise in Dearness Allowance (DA), elevating it from 35 percent to 37 percent. Employees have eagerly awaited this increase in DA and Dearness Relief (DR) for quite some time. The state government has confirmed a DA surge for the January period.
DA Hike Announced
The government’s decision to raise the DA to 37 percent is a welcomed move for employees amid escalating inflation and the festive season. The enhanced DA will be incorporated into the October 2026 salaries, reflecting in the November pay cycle. Pensioners will also benefit from the increased DR in their November pension disbursements.
Know the Key Points
- There will be a separate communication regarding the payment of arrears, slated to commence from January 1, 2026.
- Employees under the 6th Pay Commission will witness an increase in DA from 257 percent to 262 percent.
Regarding DA payments for central government employees:
Central government employees are currently anticipating a hike in DA effective from July. Presently, they receive a 60 percent DA. Calls have been made by various entities for the government to announce the DA hike before Dussehra, but as of now, no official statement has been issued. It is anticipated that the DA announcement might coincide with the Diwali festivities, aligning with previous trends.