January 2027 DA: AICPI-IW Tracker and Expected Rate
DA is 63% from July 2026. Track the CPI-IW data that decides the January 2027 rise, see the arithmetic behind the 66% to 68% talk, and when the order usually comes. Scenario, not official.
6 min read · Published 10 November 2026 · Updated
Short answer
DA is 63% of basic pay from 1 July 2026. The next revision, due from 1 January 2027, is not announced. The CPI-IW data so far points to a rate of roughly 66% to 68%, but that is an unofficial calculation: only a Cabinet decision and a Department of Expenditure order make a rate official.
Last checked · 3 key figures from the fact register
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source | Date checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dearness Allowance now | 63% of basic pay from 1 July 2026 Official source | PIB, 28 Oct 2026: Cabinet approves Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners (w.e.f. 01.07.2026) (opens in a new tab) | |
| All-India CPI-IW, September 2026 | 155.5 (Sep 2026), 154.4 (Aug 2026); base 2016=100 Official source | Labour Bureau: Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, September 2026 (30 Oct 2026) (opens in a new tab) | |
| DA from 1 January 2027 (estimate) | About 66% to 68% on the index so far: an unofficial calculation, not an order Reported by reputable sources | Staffnews: Expected DA/DR from Jan 2027 @ 67% (CPI-IW for September 2026) (opens in a new tab) |
Where DA stands today
DA rose from 60% to 63% from 1 July 2026 (Cabinet approval 28 October 2026). See DA hike July 2026: approved at 63% for what it adds at every pay level.
The data that decides January 2027 DA
DA follows the 12-month average of the All-India CPI-IW. The Labour Bureau publishes one month's index around the end of the next month.
| Month | CPI-IW (2016=100) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 153.2 | Reported (derived from Staffnews) |
| August 2026 | 154.4 | Official (Labour Bureau, 30 Oct 2026) |
| September 2026 | 155.5 | Official (Labour Bureau, 30 Oct 2026) |
| October 2026 | Not yet published | Due around the end of November 2026 |
| November 2026 | Not yet published | Due around the end of December 2026 |
| December 2026 | Not yet published | Due around the end of January 2027 |
The arithmetic behind "66% to 68%"
The widely used 7th CPC formula takes the 12-month average of the index (converted to the old 2001 base) and compares it with 261.42. On a Staffnews table, the average after September 2026 is 433.42, which is about 65.8%. The table then assumes the next three months, October to December, stay at September's level.
The 12-month average moves slowly, because three new months replace three old ones. The table below keeps the first nine months of 2026 as the Staffnews table implies and tests three paths for October to December (on the 2001 base, where 155.5 on the 2016 base is 448):
| Oct to Dec 2026 path | 12-month average | Implied DA before rounding |
|---|---|---|
| Falls 2 points a month (446, 444, 442) | 437.83 | 67.5% |
| Stays flat (448, 448, 448) | 438.83 | 67.9% |
| Rises 2 points a month (450, 452, 454) | 439.83 | 68.2% |
What a rise would add to your pay
Each DA point is 1% of basic pay. On a basic pay of ₹56,100 (Level 10 entry pay), one point is ₹561 a month, so a rise from 63% to 67% would add ₹2,244 a month before arrears, and to 68% ₹2,805. Use the DA arrears calculator with your own basic pay and the rate in the order when it comes.
When will the order come?
Past January instalments were approved in March or April:
| Instalment | Approved |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2023 | 24 March 2023 |
| 1 January 2024 | 7 March 2024 |
| 1 January 2025 | 28 March 2025 |
| 1 January 2026 | 18 April 2026 |
The July 2026 instalment came on 28 October 2026. These dates are history, not a promise: nothing obliges the Government to announce by a date.
What to do now
- Check the Labour Bureau's monthly CPI-IW release at the end of each month.
- Treat any "DA hike confirmed" headline as a rumour until you see a PIB release or a Department of Expenditure order.
- Keep your DA order references; arrears are checked against them.
Related
Official sources
- PIB: Cabinet approves DA and DR, 28 October 2026
- Labour Bureau: CPI-IW
- Department of Expenditure: orders and circulars
FAQ
What will DA be from January 2027?
Not announced. DA is 63% from 1 July 2026. Unofficial calculations from the CPI-IW point to roughly 66% to 68%, but only a Cabinet decision and a Department of Expenditure order make a rate official.
When will the January 2027 DA be announced?
The order usually comes months after the 1 January date. The last four January instalments were announced on 24 March 2023, 7 March 2024, 28 March 2025 and 18 April 2026. The July 2026 instalment was approved on 28 October 2026.
What index decides DA?
The All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW, called AICPI in press). DA for the January revision uses the average of the last 12 months of the index, to December.
What is the latest CPI-IW?
155.5 for September 2026 (base 2016=100), up 1.1 points from 154.4 in August, according to the Labour Bureau release of 30 October 2026.
Will arrears be paid for January 2027 DA?
Yes in the normal course. When an order comes late, the increase is paid from 1 January with arrears for the months already past.
Written by
PerkNavigate Editorial Team
Some figures come from reputable secondary sources and are marked in the post.
Every guide is checked against official sources. How we verify perks.
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