The central government has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for its employees and pensioners, effective from January 1, 2025.
This decision was made during the cabinet meeting on March 28, 2025, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This hike will benefit over one crore employees and pensioners, who are eagerly awaiting the increase in their DA and DR.
When Will the Increased DA and Arrears Be Paid?
Central government employees will receive the increased DA in their April 2025 salary. In addition, arrears for January, February, and March 2025 will also be paid together.
This means employees will receive a full 3-month DA arrears payment, boosting their monthly income.
How Much Will the Salary Increase in April?
For employees with a minimum basic salary of Rs 18,000, the monthly salary will rise by Rs 360, and they will receive a total of Rs 1,080 in DA arrears.
For pensioners with a basic pension of Rs 9,000, the monthly increase will be Rs 180, with a total arrears payment of Rs 540.
This decision will benefit around 48.6 lakh central employees and 66.5 lakh pensioners, with the total annual cost to the government being Rs 6,614.04 crore.
Updates on the Next DA Hike and 8th Pay Commission
The next DA hike will apply for the July-December 2025 period and is expected to be announced in October or November 2025.
Additionally, after the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission recommendations, DA will be merged with the basic salary, changing the salary structure and starting DA from zero again.
How to Check DA Hike Status?
Central government employees can verify their DA hike and arrears through the following methods:
Check Salary Slip – The DA will be listed in a separate section in the April 2025 salary slip.
Check Bank Statement – Compare the April 2025 salary with previous months. The DA hike and arrears will be clearly visible.
Login to Online Employee Portal – Salary details can be checked on government department websites or the Employee Self-Service Portal (ESSP).
Contact HR or Accounts Department – If the information isn’t available on the salary slip or online portal, employees can reach out to the HR or accounts department.
This is great news for central government employees and pensioners, as they will receive their increased salary along with 3 months of DA arrears.
Now, everyone is looking forward to the next DA hike and the 8th Pay Commission.
