Central Government Employees Await January 2026 Dearness Allowance Hike Announcement

Central government employees and pensioners in India await the January 2026 Dearness Allowance (DA) hike, typically announced around Holi but delayed this year. Based on the latest Consumer Price Index data, the DA is expected to increase by about 2 percentage points to 60%, effective from January 1, 2026. The delay is attributed to the transition between the 7th and 8th Pay Commissions, with the latter recently constituted and its recommendations pending. The government may announce the hike anytime before early April 2026.