DA Rate History for Central Government Employees Since 2016
Last updated
Dearness Allowance is 63% of basic pay from 1 Jul 2026, up from 60%. It has been raised in steps since 2016, from 0% to 63%, with one freeze between January 2020 and June 2021. The July 2026 instalment is official; the 1 January 2027 instalment has not been announced.
DA by effective date
Every DA rate since 1 January 2016
Newest first. Each row links to the Government release or order that states the rate.
Next expected revision (unconfirmed)
DA is revised from 1 January and 1 July each year. The 1 January 2027 instalment has not been announced, and no Cabinet decision or Government order has been seen.
Press calculations of the likely rate are estimates from the consumer price index. They are not official until the Cabinet approves them.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is the current DA rate for Central Government employees?
63% of basic pay from 1 Jul 2026, up from 60%. Announced on 28 Oct 2026.
How often is DA revised?
Twice a year, with effect from 1 January and 1 July. Announcements usually come months later, and the increase is paid from the effective date.
Why does the table start at 0% in January 2016?
The 7th CPC pay structure already included the old 125% DA, so DA restarted at zero on 1 January 2016 and was 2% from 1 July 2016.
Why was DA stuck at 17% from 2020 to 2021?
Three instalments, due on 1 January 2020, 1 July 2020 and 1 January 2021, were frozen. They were restored from 1 July 2021 without arrears, which took DA to 28% and then 31%.
When is the next DA revision?
The 1 January 2027 instalment has not been announced. The July 2026 instalment is official at 63%.
Sources and status
Each figure on this page comes from the fact register. What the badges mean.
- Official sourcechecked 2026-11-10
Central Government DA on 7th CPC pay: 0% from 1 Jan 2016, then 2% (1 Jul 2016), 4%, 5%, 7%, 9%, 12%, 17% (1 Jul 2019), frozen at 17% from 1 Jan 2020 to 30 Jun 2021, 31% (1 Jul 2021), 34%, 38%, 42%, 46%, 50% (1 Jan 2024), 53%, 55%, 58% (1 Jul 2025), 60% (1 Jan 2026) and 63% (1 Jul 2026). Each step is checked against a PIB release that states the increase over the existing rate
PIB releases on each DA/DR instalment, 2017 to 2026 (listed on the DA rate history page)
- Official sourcechecked 2026-11-10
DA is 63% of basic pay from 1 July 2026 (up from 60%). PIB, 28 Oct 2026 approval dated 28 October 2026; Department of Expenditure OM No. 1/2(i)/2026-E.II(B) dated 29 October 2026. About 48.54 lakh Central Government employees and 68.71 lakh pensioners benefit; the cost is Rs 10,016.10 crore a year
- Official order, read on a mirrorchecked 2026-10-22
Department of Expenditure OM dated 4 Nov 2016: the revised pay structure effective 1 Jan 2016 included the 125% DA of the old structure, so DA in the revised structure was zero from 1 Jan 2016. DA of 2% of basic pay was admissible from 1 Jul 2016. All allowances continued at existing rates until a final decision on allowances
Department of Expenditure OM on DA from 1.7.2016 (copy hosted by ICAR)
- Official sourcechecked 2026-11-10
The July 2026 DA instalment is 63% of basic pay from 1 July 2026. Order dated 28 October 2026
Independent and not affiliated with any government body. Estimates for information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. Disclaimer.